How to Invoice as a Tattoo Artist
A step-by-step guide to tattoo invoices: quoting a custom piece, the booking deposit, work over several sessions, design time, and recording how the client paid.
In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics' profile of craft and fine artists (page last modified October 29, 2026) says "Tattoo artists use stencils and draw by hand to create original images and text on skin." For a custom piece, that drawing comes before the first session, so this guide starts with the deposit that holds the booking.
It follows a custom piece from quote to final session: the quote, the deposit, each session, the deposit credit, prints and aftercare products, and the payment record. Your deposit and cancellation terms are your own policy; write them on the quote and on the deposit invoice. For sales tax, check your state's rules and ask an accountant.
Worked example (sample figures): a client books a forearm piece quoted at 3 sessions of 4 hours at $150.00 an hour, 3 × 4 × $150.00 = $1,800.00, with a $200.00 deposit at booking that comes off the last session. Sessions 1 and 2 are invoiced at $600.00 each, and session 3 at $600.00 less the $200.00 deposit, $400.00. The client pays $200.00 + $600.00 + $600.00 + $400.00 = $1,800.00.
Step-by-step invoicing guide
- 1
Quote the piece before you draw it
Write the size, the placement, the expected number of sessions and your hourly rate or price per session. Billed's features page says "Yes your clients can approve or reject your estimates online."
- 2
Take a deposit to hold the booking
Bill the deposit on its own invoice when the client books, and write your deposit terms on it, such as whether it's refundable and how it's applied. Billed's help article on creating an invoice says of its Additional Notes section: "You can also add any terms and conditions in this section."
- 3
Invoice each session as you finish it
For a piece over several sessions, send an invoice at the end of each one with the date, the hours and the area worked. Billed's estimating page says you can "customize units and quantities for each product", so a session line can show its hours.
- 4
Take the deposit off the final session
On the last session's invoice, show the deposit already paid and bill the rest, so the client sees the full price of the piece and what's left.
- 5
Sell prints and aftercare products on their own lines
Billed's invoice software page says you can "save the products and services you sell so you can pull them into an invoice instead of retyping them".
- 6
Record how the client paid
Billed's invoice software page says: "Connect your Stripe account and every invoice you send gets a pay button, so clients can pay by card." Billed's payments page says: "Keep track of all the payments from offline sources like checks, cash etc." Billed's expense tracking page adds: "When a client pays one of your invoices, Billed can send them a payment receipt."
- 7
Keep each client's record together
Billed's client management page says: "Each client profile in Billed includes a complete history of invoices, estimates, and payments."
Tips for tattoo artist invoicing
- State how much design time the deposit covers, and the price of extra redraws.
- Book the next session when you send each session's invoice.
- Keep the approved design with the quote. Billed's invoice software page says you can "Add files to your invoices and estimates."
- Use the same session dates on your booking calendar and your invoices.
- Take the deposit before you start the custom drawing.
Common invoicing mistakes to avoid
- Starting a custom drawing before the deposit is paid
- Leaving the deposit terms off the deposit invoice
- Forgetting to take the deposit off the final session
- Taking cash without recording it against the invoice
- Waiting until the last session to bill for all of the work
How this works in Billed
Quotes Clients Approve
Billed's features page says "Yes your clients can approve or reject your estimates online." Billed's invoice software page says you can "convert an approved estimate into an invoice".
Deposit Terms on the Invoice
Billed's help article on creating an invoice says of its Additional Notes section: "You can also add any terms and conditions in this section."
Saved Prints and Products
Billed's invoice software page says you can "save the products and services you sell so you can pull them into an invoice instead of retyping them".
Card, PayPal and Cash
Billed's invoice software page says: "Connect your Stripe account and every invoice you send gets a pay button, so clients can pay by card." It also says: "Connect PayPal to add a PayPal option as well." Billed's payments page says: "Keep track of all the payments from offline sources like checks, cash etc."
Client History
Billed's client management page says: "Each client profile in Billed includes a complete history of invoices, estimates, and payments."
Frequently asked questions
Start Invoicing With Billed
Set up your account and send your first invoice with Billed.
At a glance
| Stage | What the client gets |
|---|---|
| Booking | A deposit invoice with your deposit terms |
| Each session | An invoice for that session's hours |
| Final session | The last session's price less the deposit |
| Prints or aftercare products | Their own lines, at your saved prices |
When this isn't for you
This guide covers invoicing your own tattoo clients. If you work in a studio that books and bills clients for you, follow the studio's process.