Can I take deposits without a website?

Yes. A hosted booking page with your studio's name works on its own and can be linked from Instagram, Google, and messages.

What if a client wants to change artists?

Decide in advance. Many studios transfer the deposit within the studio once, because it keeps the money and the client in the shop.

How do I handle deposits for multi-session work?

Take a deposit per session rather than one up front. It keeps each date protected and avoids a large refund conversation if the project stops halfway.

Do I need a card reader in the shop as well?

For balances and walk-ins, yes. The deposit itself is best taken online at booking so the slot never gets held for free.

Money & policy

How to Set Tattoo Appointment Deposits

7 min read · Updated August 2026

Deciding the amount is the easy half. Actually collecting it every time, tracking it against the balance, and never chasing a transfer again is the half that changes your week.

Step 1: Choose a rule, not a case-by-case decision

The moment deposits become a judgement call, they get waived for friends, regulars, and anyone who pushes back. Set a rule that the booking page enforces.

Percentage of the quoted total (e.g. 25%), with a minimum
Or a fixed amount per session length: small, half day, full day
Larger deposit for first-time clients or previously no-showed clients

Step 2: Write the terms in one short paragraph

Cover four things: what it's for, whether it's refundable, the notice needed to move it, and how many moves are allowed. Use the same wording on the booking page, the confirmation, and the reminder.

Step 3: Collect card payment at booking

Bank transfers create a gap where the client can change their mind and you have to chase. Card payment at the point of booking means the slot only exists once it's paid for — and the money reaches your account without admin.

Step 4: Track it against the booking

Every booking should show deposit paid, amount, date, and balance due. That's what stops the two classic disputes: "I already paid a deposit" and "I thought the deposit came off".

Step 5: Decide what happens to forfeited deposits

Have a policy for the edge cases before they arrive: genuine emergencies, repeat reschedules, and clients who want to transfer their deposit to another artist in the studio. Consistency matters more than generosity.

Built for tattoo studios

Deposits collected before the slot is held

Set the rule once and every booking follows it — paid by card, tracked against the balance.

Open your studio See what's included

$29.99/month per studio · unlimited artists · 7-day free trial

Frequently asked questions

Can I take deposits without a website?: Yes. A hosted booking page with your studio's name works on its own and can be linked from Instagram, Google, and messages.
What if a client wants to change artists?: Decide in advance. Many studios transfer the deposit within the studio once, because it keeps the money and the client in the shop.
How do I handle deposits for multi-session work?: Take a deposit per session rather than one up front. It keeps each date protected and avoids a large refund conversation if the project stops halfway.
Do I need a card reader in the shop as well?: For balances and walk-ins, yes. The deposit itself is best taken online at booking so the slot never gets held for free.