Guides / Studio Haven
A custom tattoo request form that gets you usable answers
Most custom requests show up as "how much for a sleeve?" with no photo. A good form asks the questions for you, so you can say yes or no in one read.
What to ask
- Placement on the body, with a photo of the area if they can
- Rough size, in inches or centimetres
- Colour, black and grey, or not sure
- Reference images, uploaded, not described
- Whether it's a cover-up or rework (and a photo of the existing piece if so)
- When they're free, and how flexible they are
- Whether it's their first tattoo
What to leave off
Every extra question means fewer people finish the form. Skip anything you'd ask in person anyway. Consent and health questions belong on the consent form once they've booked, not the inquiry.
Asking for a budget is your call. Some artists find it saves a round of messages. Others find people just type the lowest number they can think of.
Triage in one pass
Read each request once and sort it: yes, yes with changes, or not for me. Yeses get a quote. The "with changes" ones get a short reply saying what you'd do differently. The no's get a kind no. Leaving requests unread for a week is worse than any of those answers.
From request to deposit
On Studio Haven, set custom work to the Inquiry workflow. Requests land in Bookings with their photos attached. Message the client from the booking thread so the whole conversation stays in one place. When you're ready, send the quote and deposit link. They pay, the date's locked in, and you didn't have to chase a transfer.
Flash can stay on Direct booking, where people pick a time and pay right away. You can set a default for the studio and change it for individual designs.
See it from the client side
Open the demo studio and book it the way a client would, deposit and all. You don't need an account. When you're ready, set up your own page.
Related guides
Questions artists ask
Should I charge for consultations?
Some artists do, and put it toward the tattoo. If you're getting lots of consults that never book, a small consult deposit sorts out who's serious.
How fast should I reply to requests?
Faster than you'd think. People often message a few artists at once. A quick "got it, I'll quote this week" keeps them waiting for you.
What if the idea isn't a good fit?
Say no kindly and, if you can, point them to someone who does that style. People remember a kind no.
$15 a month. No cut of your deposits.
14-day free trial starts when you sign up. No card needed. Flash, customs, deposits, calendar, aftercare.