3 body art & tattoo templates
Invoice Templates for Tattoo Artists & Body Art Professionals
Non-refundable deposits, session fees, cover-up pricing, consultation charges — body art billing has its own conventions. Get an invoice template built for tattoo artists and download your PDF in seconds, no account needed.
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Tattoo and body art invoicing explained
Body art is one of the few service industries where the deposit structure is as important as the session fee. Getting the invoicing right protects you from no-shows, covers your design time, and sets professional expectations with every client.
The non-refundable booking deposit is the foundation of tattoo business practice. It compensates you for the design time you put in before the session and filters out uncommitted clients. Your deposit invoice should state the amount, that it is non-refundable, and that it will be deducted from the final session fee. When the session is complete, issue the final invoice showing the full session price minus the deposit already paid.
Cover-up tattoos are priced differently from fresh work of comparable size. They require additional design work to effectively conceal existing ink, typically involve heavier passes and more saturation, and carry more technical risk. A surcharge of 20–50% above your standard rate for comparable fresh work is widely accepted — label it clearly on the invoice so the client understands before arriving.
Consultations should be invoiced when significant design time is involved. A short 15-minute consultation may be complimentary, but a 60-minute custom design consultation is billable — typically deductible from the final session fee if the client books. State your consultation policy upfront and note it on the invoice.
Tattoo invoice checklist
- Session fee — flat rate, day rate, or hourly rate for the tattoo or piercing session
- Deposit deduction — show the booking deposit as a credited line item on the final invoice
- Cover-up surcharge (if applicable) — label the complexity premium clearly with a brief reason
- Consultation fee — if charged, state whether it is deductible from the session fee
- Touch-up session — bill out-of-policy touch-ups as a standard session invoice
Tips for tattoo artists and body art professionals
Use clear non-refundable deposit language
Your deposit invoice should leave no ambiguity: 'This deposit is non-refundable. It will be deducted from your final session fee on the day of your appointment. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice forfeit the deposit.' Clients who read this upfront are less likely to dispute it later.
Price cover-ups on complexity, not size
A small, heavily saturated cover-up can take twice as long as a fresh tattoo of the same dimensions. Base your cover-up pricing on the complexity of the existing work and the coverage required — not just the final tattoo size. Explain this briefly on the invoice to preempt price questions on the day.
Document your touch-up policy on every invoice
Add a single line to your invoice payment terms field: 'One complimentary touch-up included within 3 months of session date. Touch-ups required after this window or due to client aftercare are charged at standard session rates.' Setting this expectation in writing prevents awkward conversations months later.
Frequently asked questions
How do I invoice for a tattoo deposit?
Send a deposit invoice at the time of booking — typically a flat fee of £50–£200 depending on the scale of the piece. State clearly that the deposit is non-refundable and deducted from the final session fee. On the session invoice, show the deposit as a credit line so the client can see the original fee, the deposit deducted, and the balance due. This removes any confusion about what they owe on the day.
Should cover-up tattoos cost more on my invoice?
Yes. Cover-ups require more design planning, typically use heavier saturation to mask the existing work, and take longer to execute than a fresh tattoo of equivalent size. A pricing premium of 20–50% above your standard rate for a comparable piece is common and justified. Label it clearly on the invoice — 'Cover-up session (complexity surcharge)' — so the client understands the pricing rationale before the appointment.
Do I need to invoice for free touch-ups?
If touch-ups are included in your standard service within a defined window (e.g. one free touch-up within 3 months), you don't need to invoice — but you should document the touch-up session in your records. If a touch-up falls outside your policy window or is needed due to client-side factors (poor aftercare, sun exposure), it's billable. Issue a standard session invoice labeled 'Touch-up session' at your agreed rate.