Overview
Tattoo work is sold by the hour and the design, and the artist's portfolio is what the customer is paying the rate for
Tattoo artists are the most personal-craft end of the body-art trade. The customer commissions a design (a script, a portrait, a piece of fine line, a traditional flash, a full sleeve over multiple sessions), and the work is part hand-drawn design, part the actual tattoo session, part the aftercare guidance. The cost has two shapes: small flash pieces at a flat per-piece rate, and bespoke custom work at an hourly rate plus a separate design fee. A flat 'tattoo, $80/hour' quote without naming the design fee, the deposit, the session length, and the touch-up policy misses how the trade actually charges.
QuoteGenio gives tattoo artists a quoting shape that fits both small flash and custom work. Consultation and design fee as the first line (often non-refundable), hourly rate for custom work or flat fee for flash, session length and number of sessions for larger pieces, deposit at booking, aftercare pack supplied, free touch-up policy within a defined window, and any travel for guest spots at other studios. Send via WhatsApp or email to the customer with the design sketch, take the deposit at design approval, raise the session invoice on each booked day, and the same record holds the design history and the customer's preferences for the next piece.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of studio-based, guest-spot, and mobile tattoo artist.
The problem
The quoting headaches every tattoo artist knows
DMs full of reference photos, custom design requests, and deposit queries turn every morning into an admin spiral. The quoting should not be what stops you getting back to the lightbox.
Custom designs eat design hours
A custom sleeve sketch takes 3 to 6 hours of design time before the needle even touches skin. Without a design fee on the quote, the sketch time silently disappears into the per-hour tattoo rate.
Per-hour versus per-piece confusion
A small flash piece is per-piece, a large custom sleeve is per-hour, and a cover-up is a mix of both. Without clear quoting the client books expecting one structure and complains at the till about the other.
Deposits get lost in the DM flood
Every serious booking needs a deposit, and every DM exchange has three people asking about availability. Without structured quoting deposits become a scramble and tentative bookings clog the diary.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
A fast quoting workflow that handles flash, custom commissions, per-hour sessions, cover-ups, and non-refundable deposits without fighting your DMs.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for tattoo artists
Line items for custom design fee, flash piece, per-hour session blocks, cover-up consultation, touch-up, and consumable surcharges. Structured the way tattoo artists actually price a booking.
Per-hour session blocks
Price 3 hour, 5 hour, and full-day session blocks with clear per-hour rates. Clients book the block that fits their piece, and you do not end up running a 7 hour sleeve at a flash-piece price.
Works from the studio phone
No laptop needed. Build the quote on your studio phone at the consultation and send via WhatsApp or Instagram DM before the client leaves. DM enquiries get a proper document instead of a rambling chat.
Non-refundable deposits tracked
Know which bookings have paid the non-refundable design deposit, which sessions are confirmed with the chair held, and which touch-ups are due. No paper deposit book required.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how tattoo artists actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Tattoo Artists choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Tattoo Artists build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Tattoo Artists job pricing
A rough guide to what tattoo artists charge for flash, custom work, per-hour sessions, and cover-ups. Pricing varies with artist experience, piece size and complexity, placement (ribs, hands, and feet typically cost more), and whether the work is a fresh piece or a cover-up over existing ink. Use these as a reference when you set your own rate card.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Flash piece (small, single session, 1 to 2 hours) | $ 180 - $ 420 |
| Custom design fee (consultation and sketch) | $ 85 - $ 350 |
| Per hour tattoo rate (experienced artist) | $ 120 - $ 280 |
| 3 hour session block (custom work) | $ 420 - $ 950 |
| Full day session (6 to 7 hours) | $ 850 - $ 1,800 |
| Cover-up consultation and sketch | $ 120 - $ 450 |
| Touch-up (within 6 weeks of original) | $ 0 - $ 120 |
Pricing shown in USD as a rough benchmark. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
A non-refundable design deposit is the core of a custom tattoo quote. Most artists charge $ 120 to $ 300 as a design deposit that is credited against the tattoo balance if the client confirms, but lost if the booking is cancelled less than 72 hours out. Show it clearly on every custom quote so the client understands the design time is real work.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use hourly pricing ($ 120 to $ 280 per artist hour) for custom pieces, sleeves, back work, and any multi-session project where the scope is not fully locked at booking. Use fixed per-piece pricing for flash designs and small simple work where the time is predictable. Combine both on cover-ups with a fixed consultation and design fee plus per-hour session blocks for the tattoo work itself.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here is what a clean, itemised custom tattoo quote looks like. Design fee, non-refundable deposit, session block hours, consumables, and the aftercare kit are all visible. The second session sits as a provisional line because multi-session work is quoted fresh after each block. Transparent quotes build trust with custom clients because the design time and tattoo hours are visible rather than hidden.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Custom half-sleeve design and first session, black and grey realism
Custom design fee (consultation, sketch, 2 revisions)
Non-refundable design deposit (credited against balance)
First session block (5 hours, outline and shading)
Consumable surcharge (premium ink, one-time)
Second session estimate (5 hours, finishing, separately quoted)
Aftercare kit (Tattoo Goo, film bandage)
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom design fee (consultation, sketch, 2 revisions) | 1 | $ 250 | $ 250 |
| Non-refundable design deposit (credited against balance) | 1 | $ 150 | $ 150 |
| First session block (5 hours, outline and shading) | 5 | $ 180 / hr | $ 900 |
| Consumable surcharge (premium ink, one-time) | 1 | $ 65.00 | $ 65.00 |
| Second session estimate (5 hours, finishing, separately quoted) | 1 | TBC | Provisional |
| Aftercare kit (Tattoo Goo, film bandage) | 1 | $ 45.00 | $ 45.00 |
| Subtotal | $ 1,410 | ||
| Tax (10%) | $ 141 | ||
| Total incl. tax | $ 1,551 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
The design fee for the sketch and consultation time, the non-refundable deposit that confirms the booking, the consumable surcharge for premium ink, the provisional second session that depends on first-session progress, and the aftercare kit that protects the fresh piece. Add these to your standard custom tattoo template so they never fall off.
Peer snapshot
How Tattoo Artists actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Tattoo Artists on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
14
Quotes sent per month
54%
Average quote acceptance
2 min
Median time to send quote
$ 1,551
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Tattoo Artist jobs like this, free
Build your first quote in under 2 minutes. No credit card, no setup fee, no contract.
Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
We talk to a lot of tattoo artists. The same pricing gaps come up across flash walk-ins, custom commissions, and cover-ups. Fixing these protects your design time, keeps deposit cashflow predictable, and stops a tricky rib or hand placement from silently costing you the afternoon's margin.
Mistake: No design fee for custom work
Better: Custom sketches take 3 to 6 hours of design time before the needle touches skin. Charge a design fee ($ 85 to $ 350) as a named line and credit it against the tattoo balance if the client books. You get paid for the design time even if the client ghosts you after the sketch.
Mistake: Refundable deposits on DM enquiries
Better: Every serious custom booking needs a non-refundable deposit (typically $ 120 to $ 300). State on the quote that the deposit is lost if the booking is cancelled less than 72 hours out, or if the client no-shows. DMs become tentative bookings only when a paid deposit lands, not before.
Mistake: Flat per-piece price on long custom work
Better: A 7 hour sleeve session quoted at flash-piece rates loses you the afternoon. Price multi-hour work in session blocks (3 hour, 5 hour, 6 to 7 hour full day) or per hour, and be explicit on the quote which structure applies to this piece.
Mistake: No placement surcharge for tricky areas
Better: Ribs, hands, feet, neck, and inner thighs take longer, heal differently, and are harder to tattoo. Add a placement surcharge ($ 50 to $ 150) or state a higher per-hour rate for these areas so the difficulty is paid rather than absorbed.
Mistake: No cover-up assessment fee
Better: Cover-ups need a separate assessment to look at the existing tattoo, skin condition, and realistic design options. Charge a cover-up consultation fee ($ 85 to $ 250) so the assessment time is paid. Clients often go away to think about the design, and the consultation time is work whether they return or not.
Mistake: Free touch-ups on everyone's tattoos
Better: State on the quote that touch-ups within 6 weeks of your own work are free, but touch-ups of other artists' work carry a nominal fee. Otherwise clients with problematic tattoos from other shops expect free rework and eat your session time.
Mistake: No aftercare kit line on every booking
Better: Aftercare product (tattoo balm, film bandage, cleanser) is real cost on every fresh piece. Price a small aftercare kit ($ 25 to $ 55) as a named line on every quote so the healing is protected and the retail margin lands on every booking.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote tattoo artist bookings
Start with a proper consultation before quoting any custom work. Confirm reference images, style (traditional, neo-traditional, realism, fine-line, blackwork, geometric, microrealism), placement (arm, leg, ribs, hand, back, chest), approximate size in inches or centimetres, and colour versus black-and-grey. For cover-ups, assess the existing tattoo in person for size, saturation, and design options. Ask about skin type, allergies (especially to red ink), medications that affect healing, and whether the client has any recent sun exposure. Photograph the placement and existing work and keep them on the client record for the design process.
Itemise design fee, non-refundable deposit, tattoo session hours or per-piece rate, placement surcharge, consumable surcharge, and aftercare kit on separate lines. Price custom design fees ($ 85 to $ 350) with a named line that covers consultation, sketch, and 2 design revisions, credited against the tattoo balance on booking. Price flash pieces per-piece ($ 180 to $ 420) where the design is pre-drawn and the time is predictable. Price custom work per hour ($ 120 to $ 280) or in session blocks (3 hour, 5 hour, 6 to 7 hour full day). Add a placement surcharge ($ 50 to $ 150) for ribs, hands, feet, neck, and inner thighs. Consumables (premium ink, specialist needles) as a small per-piece line. Aftercare kit ($ 25 to $ 55) on every fresh tattoo.
Set a 30 day validity on tattoo quotes because ink brands and consumable costs move. Ask for a non-refundable deposit ($ 120 to $ 300) that confirms the booking and states clearly on the quote that it is lost if cancelled less than 72 hours out or if the client no-shows. For multi-session work (sleeves, back pieces, full-days spread across months), quote each session block fresh after the previous session so the next quote reflects actual progress. State on the quote that touch-ups within 6 weeks of your own work are free and touch-ups of other artists' work carry a fee. For cover-ups, state that the design fee is paid upfront because the assessment time and design thinking is real work whether the client books or not.
Reply fast. DM enquiries and Instagram leads collect two or three artists and the first professional itemised PDF in the inbox usually takes the deposit. Build the quote on your studio phone at the consultation, send the branded PDF via WhatsApp or Instagram DM within the hour, and follow up two days later. Keep templates for flash piece, small custom, half sleeve first session, full day session, cover-up consultation, and touch-up so quotes take three minutes. Convert the accepted quote to a deposit invoice the same day so the booking is locked. For repeat clients working through a multi-session sleeve or back piece, save their design, placement, and progress notes on the record so the next session quote is one tap.
FAQ
Common questions from tattoo artists
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. QuoteGenio lets you structure line items any way you like. Price flash as a per-piece line, custom work in per-hour or session-block lines, and include a design fee and non-refundable deposit as separate items. All on the same branded PDF so clients see exactly how their booking is structured.
Yes. Every quote is a professional branded PDF with your design fee, deposit, session structure, and terms. Share the link via WhatsApp or paste it into Instagram DM and the client gets the full document on their phone. Far more professional than a rambling chat of prices and emojis across three days.
Charge a design fee ($ 85 to $ 350) as a named line that covers the consultation, sketch, and 2 design revisions. Credit the design fee against the tattoo balance if the client books within 30 days. If the client ghosts after the sketch, the design fee is already paid and the sketch is yours to use as flash. Make sure to state on the quote that the design remains your intellectual property until paid in full.
State clearly on every custom tattoo quote that the deposit is non-refundable and covers your time holding the chair. State specifically that the deposit is lost if the client cancels less than 72 hours out, or no-shows on the day. QuoteGenio shows the deposit terms on the PDF so the client agrees to them at acceptance, and converts the accepted quote to a deposit invoice with one click.
Yes. Convert to a deposit invoice on booking and a balance invoice on the session day. Both tie back to the same quote so records stay clean. For multi-session work, quote each session block fresh and link them to the same client record so the running progress is visible across the commission.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card required. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited quotes, invoices, statements, and reports.
Offer 3 hour, 5 hour, and 6 to 7 hour full-day session blocks with clear per-hour rates that discount slightly on longer blocks. Clients book the block that fits their piece, and you do not end up running a 7 hour session at a short-block price. State on the quote that the session includes setup, one main break, and breakdown time.
Ribs, hands, feet, neck, and inner thighs take longer, heal differently, and are harder to work on. Add a placement surcharge ($ 50 to $ 150) as a named line on the quote, or state a higher per-hour rate for these areas. Clients see the surcharge as a choice rather than a surprise, and the difficulty of the placement is paid.
Charge a cover-up consultation fee ($ 85 to $ 250) for the in-person assessment and design thinking. Price the cover-up tattoo itself per-hour or in session blocks because the size and complexity of the original tattoo drives the time needed. State on the quote what the realistic outcome is so the client has a clear expectation rather than arguing that the old tattoo is still visible after session one.
State on every quote that touch-ups within 6 weeks of your own work are free, subject to proper aftercare having been followed. Touch-ups of other artists' work carry a fee ($ 0 to $ 120) because the original work is not your responsibility. Clients with problematic tattoos from other shops often assume every artist will fix them for free, and clear quote terms prevent that expectation.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
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Guides
Guides for Tattoo Artists
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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