Tattoo Booking Form vs. Consent Form: What’s the Difference?

If you’re new to running a tattoo studio or an artist starting to take clients on your own, there are two pieces of paperwork you shouldn’t skip: the booking form and the consent form. 

Although they sound similar and both collect client information, they serve completely different purposes at different points. Check out the quick overview below for easier reference.

• Booking form: Pre-appointment, the client shares some basic info (e.g., idea, placement, size, budget) and when they’re free, so you can quickly decide on taking the project, and propose a time.
• Consent form: This legal agreement is signed at check-in on the day of. It verifies the client’s identity and age, updates health info, confirms that they understand the risks, and records their permission to proceed.

You might’ve heard of instances where shops simply lump these into one form or skip one altogether. However, we strongly advise against doing either, as it may cause a lot of confusion or worse, compliance issues.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the difference between a tattoo booking form and a consent form. We’ll also help you streamline both steps, and give you a free, printable tattoo consent form you can start using right away.

What’s a Tattoo Booking Form?

In tattoo shops, a booking form is used to help the artist or owner decide whether the client is a good fit, how much will the ballpark cost be, and when the session will take place. 

It also helps you avoid getting ghosted, or dealing with too many back-and-forth or unclear expectations. Moreover, if you have multiple artists working at your tattoo shop, you can use this form to figure out which artist is best suited for that client and project.

That said, your tattoo booking form should appear on your online booking page — right after the client picks a date, time, and their preferred tattoo artist (if applicable). 

What To Include

Here are the important things you should collect and why they matter:

• Contact info (name, email, phone): You need a reliable way to confirm details, send prep instructions, and reach the client fast if anything changes.
• Tattoo type (flash or custom): Flash is quicker to schedule; custom needs design time and possibly a consult. This choice affects your prep work, pricing, and timeline.
• Concept (1–2 sentences): A short description defines the scope clearly so you can provide an accurate quotation.
• Placement and approximate size: These will determine the price, expected pain level, difficulty of application, session length, and healing time. 
• Style: Offer clear categories  (e.g., fine line, traditional, blackwork, realism, neo-traditional) for clients to choose from. They can pick one primary style and an optional secondary. This helps match projects to the right artist.
• Reference images (2–3 max): Having visuals makes for aligned expectations and reduces the need for revisions. 
• Budget range: This will set a realistic direction and prevent awkward back-and-forth later.
• Availability (days and times): This will let you system specific slots immediately, or auto-match with your calendar, which speeds up the booking process.
• Simple health check (optional): Should you choose to include this, ask only about factors that may impact scheduling (e.g., pregnancy, blood thinners, fresh sunburn). Save the detailed review for later on the consent form.
• Deposit agreement: There should be a short line clearly stating how the deposit fee works — that is, whether it’s nonrefundable or transferable. 

What Not To Include

Avoid asking comprehensive medical questions. The rule of thumb here: If you can wait to confirm some details day-of via the consent form, save it for then. 

Also, don’t ask the client to sign any legal documents because if the client’s situation changes, an old waiver won’t protect you. Get fresh, informed consent right before the session. 

Where To Get a Custom Tattoo Booking Form

With a Bookedin account, you get a custom form builder that’ll make it easy for you to collect the right info as soon as the client decides to book.

Create fields for tattoo shop clients to get the exact answers you need — such as the tattoo design concept, placement, style choices, references, and more. You can also choose to collect a deposit at this step, in order to lock in their commitment and prevent no-shows. 

After clients book, you can set up automatic reminders (covering what to bring, policies, how to reschedule) that they’ll receive on the days leading up to their appointment. This will help ensure they won’t forget about their appointment and they’ll show up prepared. 

See how it works on Bookedin

What’s a Tattoo Consent Form?

The consent form is your safety-and-legal checkpoint. It must be signed in person, right before the session starts. 

This legal document verifies the client’s identity and age, updates health details, explains the risks, and most importantly — records their informed permission to proceed with the session. 

And yes, you should make them sign the consent form on the day of because their medical conditions or mindset can change between booking and the appointment.

Here’s how the tattoo consent procedure usually works:

1. Verify the client’s ID and age. Check a government-issued ID and confirm the client meets your local age requirement.
2.  Ask about allergies (e.g., ink, latex, adhesives), current health condition, and any medication that affects bleeding or healing (e.g., blood thinners). Note pregnancy/breastfeeding and recent illness or sunburn on the area.
3. Confirm they’re not under the influence. This means no alcohol or intoxicating drugs on that day, as clients need a clear head to give informed consent, and it’s safer for the procedure.
4. Explain the risks (e.g., excess bleeding, scarring or keloid formation, swelling or pain), and go over aftercare. 
5. Both the client and the tattoo artist performing the procedure sign. 
6. Store the signed tattoo consent form securely, and where you can find it fast. 

What To Include

Your consent form should cover the following: 

• Identity and age: Full legal name, date of birth, and an ID check. Add guardian info if minors are allowed to get tattoos in your area.
• Contact details: Needed for aftercare follow-up and recordkeeping
• Medical disclosure: Allergies (e.g., ink, latex, adhesives), conditions (e.g., diabetes, skin disorders), blood thinners, pregnancy or breastfeeding, recent sunburn, recent illness, and immunity concerns
• Sobriety statement: Verifies the client isn’t under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the appointment
• Risk acknowledgment: States (in plain language) that tattoos involve needles and possible complications, and that results vary by skin type and aftercare
• Aftercare agreement: Confirms the client received instructions and agrees to follow them
• Photo/video release (optional): Allows the client to grant or decline permission for images of their tattoo to be used in your portfolio or on social media
• Signatures: The client signs to give informed consent; the performing artist signs to document who carried out the procedure. Including date and time links the consent to the exact session. Some areas also require the artist’s license or registration number, so make sure to check your local health department rules.
• Record retention: A brief line stating how long you’ll keep that form in your records and that it’s stored securely. This helps you meet inspection and insurance requirements, and makes it easy to retrieve records if there’s ever a dispute.

Note: Laws regarding tattoo consent forms vary. Check your local health department and your insurance policy. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Should You Use Paper or Digital Consent Forms?

The short answer: Either works, but it’s best to do a mix of both. 

Run digital tattoo consent forms as your standard. They’re faster for the clients to complete and easier for you and your staff to search and retrieve whenever you have to. Backups can run automatically, and you can time-stamp and link the form to the exact appointment. 

If you’re going the digital route, make sure you have a reliable device, staff who know how to use it, and a system that protects data with passwords, user roles, and encryption.

However, you should also keep a stack of paper tattoo consent forms as backup, in case of internet issues or other technical hiccups. On the times you do have to use a paper form, make sure to scan and upload it to the client profile ASAP so your records are always complete and centralized.

Extra tip: Store consent info with the exact appointment and client record so you can pull them up in seconds, whether paper or digital. Bookedin does this automatically and can send day-of reminders to clients (like “bring an ID”) to keep your documentation tight.

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Free Tattoo Consent Form Template

Here’s a tattoo consent form template you can copy and customize. Replace bracketed sections and confirm local requirements with your health department and insurer.

[Studio Name]
[Address] • [Phone] • [Email]
Artist: __________________  License/Registration No.: __________

Client Information
Full legal name: _______________________________
Date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY): ___ / ___ / ______ (18+? ☐ Yes ☐ No)
Phone: __________________ Email: __________________
Address: ________________________________________________
Government ID type/number (verified by staff): __________________

Health Disclosure (check all that apply)
☐ Allergies (ink/latex/adhesive/antibiotics): __________________________
☐ Skin conditions/rashes in area: _____________________________________
☐ Immunocompromised or bloodborne conditions
☐ Pregnant or breastfeeding
☐ On blood thinners or acne meds (e.g., isotretinoin)
☐ Diabetes or healing disorders
☐ Recent sunburn/tanning on area
☐ Feeling unwell today (fever, cold/flu symptoms)
☐ Under the influence of alcohol or drugs today (must be No): ☐ Yes ☐ No
Medications/notes: ________________________________________________

Acknowledgment of Risks
I understand tattooing involves needles and skin penetration and may cause infection, scarring, allergic reactions, blowouts, and ink fading. Results vary by skin type, placement, sun exposure, and aftercare. I have disclosed relevant health information to the best of my knowledge.

Consent to Tattoo
I am 18+ (or have legal guardian consent per local law). I consent to the tattoo described and to minor adjustments to size/placement when needed for readability or safety, at the artist’s professional discretion.

Aftercare
I received written aftercare instructions and understand that improper aftercare may affect healing and results.

Photo/Video Release (optional)
☐ I allow the studio to photograph/video my tattoo and use images for portfolio/social media/marketing. Identifying features will not be shown without my permission.

Signatures
Client signature: __________________ Date: __________ Time: ______
Guardian name/signature (if applicable): ____________________________
Artist signature: ___________________ Date: __________ Time: ______

Studio Use
Design/placement: _________________________________________________
Notes: _____________________________________________________________

Record Retention
This consent will be stored securely for at least [X years] and provided to health inspectors or insurers upon request.

Key Takeaways on Tattoo Booking Form vs. Consent Form

Keep these two forms separate to ensure your workflow stays clean, and your tattoo business is safe from legal hiccups and messy disputes, and clients get clear expectations right from the start. 

Use the booking form to decide fit and timing; use the consent form on the day of to confirm health, explain risks, and get informed permission. 

Want to simplify the admin work? Bookedin comes with many useful features so you spend less time chasing paperwork and more time tattooing or running your shop. And if you’re on the fence about it, you can sign up for free and do a 14-day trial first.