Tattoo Artist Invoice Template
A tattoo artist invoice bills hr, lists labour, services and materials on separate lines and states the terms (Booking deposit credited to the final sitting; each session paid at the end of the sitting). This template is pre-filled for second sitting of a custom forearm half-sleeve with linework already done, plus one small flash piece: 7 lines totalling $1,110.00 before tax. Edit it and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for a tattoo artist: second sitting of a custom forearm half-sleeve with linework already done, plus one small flash piece. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Summit Tattoo Studio
128 Market Street
Madison, WI 53703
billing@example.com
(615) 555-0128
Invoice
Bill to
Casey Nguyen
8 Chestnut Lane
Georgetown, TX 78626
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom design and stencil preparationRevisions to the approved forearm composition | 2 hr | $75.00 | $150.00 |
| Tattoo session, shading and color packingSitting 2 of an estimated 3, timed from needle down | 4.5 hr | $160.00 | $720.00 |
| Small flash piece, ankleFrom the shop flash sheet, under 2 in | 1 piece | $120.00 | $120.00 |
| Color pigment set for the half-sleeveOpened for this client, single sitting | 1 session | $30.00 | $30.00 |
| Single-use needles, cartridges and barrier setup | 2 session | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Aftercare kit: healing balm and adhesive film | 1 kit | $22.00 | $22.00 |
| Second-skin bandage, large sheet | 2 each | $9.00 | $18.00 |
- Subtotal
- $1,110.00
- Balance due
- $1,110.00
Notes
Thank you for choosing Summit Tattoo Studio. Terms: Booking deposit credited to the final sitting; each session paid at the end of the sitting.
Payment details
Bank transfer or card. Please quote the invoice number.
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Tattoo Artist invoice at a glance
| Typical job | Second sitting of a custom forearm half-sleeve with linework already done, plus one small flash piece |
|---|---|
| Main billing unit | hr |
| Usual payment terms | Booking deposit credited to the final sitting; each session paid at the end of the sitting |
| Deposit practice | Studios usually take a non-refundable design deposit at booking that holds the date, pays for drawing time and comes off the last session of the piece. |
| Sample lines | 7 lines, $1,110.00 before tax |
| Largest line | Tattoo session, shading and color packing: $720.00 (65%) |
| Labour hours billed | 6.5 h, $870.00 |
| Trade-specific fields | Studio / body art license no., Client ID checked (date of birth), Consent form no., Placement, Session no. of total, Artist name |
Sample tattoo artist invoice line items
Second sitting of a custom forearm half-sleeve with linework already done, plus one small flash piece: 7 lines adding up to $1,110.00, split into labour $870.00 (78%), services $120.00 (11%) and materials $80.00 (7%).
| Item | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom design and stencil preparation (Revisions to the approved forearm composition) | 2 hr | $75.00 | $150.00 |
| Tattoo session, shading and color packing (Sitting 2 of an estimated 3, timed from needle down) | 4.5 hr | $160.00 | $720.00 |
| Small flash piece, ankle (From the shop flash sheet, under 2 in) | 1 piece | $120.00 | $120.00 |
| Color pigment set for the half-sleeve (Opened for this client, single sitting) | 1 session | $30.00 | $30.00 |
| Single-use needles, cartridges and barrier setup | 2 session | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Aftercare kit: healing balm and adhesive film | 1 kit | $22.00 | $22.00 |
| Second-skin bandage, large sheet | 2 each | $9.00 | $18.00 |
| Subtotal | $1,110.00 | ||
| Total before tax | $1,110.00 |
What a tattoo artist invoice should include
- Your tattoo studio name, address, phone and email, plus a tax ID if you are registered
- The customer's name and billing address (Casey Nguyen in the sample)
- A unique invoice number (INV-5574) and the issue date
- Payment terms and a due date: Booking deposit credited to the final sitting; each session paid at the end of the sitting
- Studio / body art license no.: for example LIC-138776
- Client ID checked (date of birth): for example 24 November 2026
- Consent form no.: for example See notes
- Placement: for example See notes
- Line items in hr or per item, each with quantity, rate and amount
- How to pay you: bank details, card link or cheque payee
How tattoo artists bill
Charges by the hour in the chair for large or multi-session pieces and a flat price per piece for small flash, with a shop minimum and a design deposit taken at booking.
Tattoo artists commonly use "Booking deposit credited to the final sitting; each session paid at the end of the sitting". Studios usually take a non-refundable design deposit at booking that holds the date, pays for drawing time and comes off the last session of the piece.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Artists and Related Workers, All Other $34.98 (employees, not contractor rates). The sample's $75.00 per hour for "Custom design and stencil preparation" is 2.1 times that employee figure; a business rate also has to cover insurance, tools, travel, unbilled admin time and profit.
Tattoo Artist invoicing tips
- For a multi-sitting piece, print the session number, the hours in the chair today and the running total of hours so far, because clients budgeting for a sleeve want to see how far along the estimate they are.
- State on every receipt how much of the booking deposit has been applied and how much remains on account, especially when the piece will take three or more sittings spread over months.
- Record that photo ID was checked and the consent form was signed, with the form number, since health departments and studio owners may ask to match a receipt to the paperwork for that client.
- Write your touch-up policy next to the total, for example one free touch-up within a set number of weeks, so a client returning with a patchy heal knows whether that visit will be charged.
Tattoo Artist billing disputes to head off
- Clients often remember the quoted hourly rate but not that drawing time is billed too; putting design hours on their own line, approved before the sitting, avoids an argument at the counter.
- A deposit forfeited after a no-show turns into a dispute if the policy was never written down, so put the rebooking and forfeit terms on the deposit receipt itself.
How to make a tattoo artist invoice
-
Add both parties
Enter Summit Tattoo Studio (your business) and the customer, Casey Nguyen, then studio / body art license no..
-
Number and terms
Give it a unique number such as INV-5574 and set the terms to Booking deposit credited to the final sitting; each session paid at the end of the sitting.
-
List the work
One line per item: the sample runs from "Custom design and stencil preparation" (2 hr) to "Second-skin bandage, large sheet" (2 each).
-
Check the total
The 7 lines come to $1,110.00; add sales tax only if your state taxes tattoo work.
-
Download and send
Download the PDF or print it, then keep a copy with the tattoo work records.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a tattoo artist invoice?
Add your tattoo studio details, the customer, studio / body art license no., client id checked (date of birth), consent form no. and placement, then one line per item with quantity and rate. The template above is pre-filled with 7 lines for second sitting of a custom forearm half-sleeve with linework already done, plus one small flash piece totalling $1,110.00; change the prices and download the PDF.
How do tattoo artists charge?
Mostly hr. Charges by the hour in the chair for large or multi-session pieces and a flat price per piece for small flash, with a shop minimum and a design deposit taken at booking.
When should a tattoo artist invoice be paid?
Booking deposit credited to the final sitting; each session paid at the end of the sitting is the usual arrangement. Studios usually take a non-refundable design deposit at booking that holds the date, pays for drawing time and comes off the last session of the piece. Put the terms and the due date on the invoice so there is no doubt.
How much do tattoo artists earn per hour?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Artists and Related Workers, All Other $34.98 (employees, not contractor rates). Self-employed rates are usually higher because they cover overhead and unbilled time.