Booking +
Design Fees
What are booking and design fees, and why do artists charge them?
A booking fee, design fee, or some combination of the two are pretty standard in the tattoo industry these days. They’re different for every shop and every artist — sometimes they’re called “deposits”, sometimes it’s a partial payment of the tattoo, or even a full payment.
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With me, booking fees are to “hold” (book) your appointment — they are an incentive for clients to keep their appointments and to not leave me empty-handed should someone cancel too late for me to rebook, or worse — not come to their appointment at all without telling me (we call this a “no-show”).
The booking fee is also a “baseline” design fee.
Design fees are to compensate me, your artist, for the time I spend designing and drawing your tattoo design — especially ones that are very large or complex. Everyone’s time is valuable and no one likes to work for free — I am no different!
This is why booking / design fees are not applied to the final cost of the tattoo, that is charged separately.
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I do not ask for a booking fee until we have already talked about your tattoo and I have offered you an appointment slot. This is why my booking fees are non-refundable — because you’re in my schedule now!
If you need to cancel at least 5 days before your appointment, I am willing to “roll over” that booking fee into a reschedule. I do ask that clients reschedule with me right away though (or as soon as possible) — I don’t really have a system in place for keeping track of “roll over” booking fees long-term and I would not want anything to get lost!
At this time, whether or not a new booking fee is required for rescheduling after a short-notice cancellation (less than 5 days before your appointment) will be a case-by-case decision by me.
A new booking fee will be required for clients who no-show.
Design fees are separate and do not need to be resent unless I have already drawn your design and you no longer want it. Since I do not start drawing until the morning-of the appointment I need the design, cancelling earlier than the night before should be early enough.
If you paid a design fee and you no-show me, no longer want that tattoo, or some other event in which the design does not get tattooed — the design is still mine and I may use it for a different client.
The design fee does not mean you own or have rights to the design — it only compensates me for the time I spent creating it.
On the other hand, whatever design I DO tattoo on you — I do not use it on anyone else! I redraw everything (even flowers!) because I want my clients to have unique pieces from me. That’s what you’re paying me for! If someone sees your design and likes it, I will create something similar but ultimately different.
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Booking and / or design fees can vary by the size or complexity of the design… it’s not a flat fee at this time. I will let you know the amount!
The fee(s) are basically due right away after I offer you an appointment slot, or as soon as possible, since I’ll be putting you in my schedule at that time.
I am going to be using Ko-Fi for my fees moving forward since it can take more forms of payment (including debit/credit card!) which I’m hoping is easier for you!
ko-fi.com/ashleevtattoo
Please, DO NOT pay a booking fee ahead of time / before I offer you an appointment!
I am currently still accepting booking / design fees in cash — please let me know if this is your preference and I will tell you when and where you can drop it off. You will need to bring the exact amount since I will probably be working and unable to make change for you.
I do not take pre-payment towards your tattoo!
This includes paying more than the required booking / design fee — it won’t go “towards the tattoo”. I just cannot keep track of that sort of thing and I would hate to lose any of your money.