Guides / Studio Haven
Selling tattoo gift certificates online
People want to give someone a tattoo. They just can't pick the design for them. A gift certificate fixes that, and it brings someone new to your chair.
Why bother
December, birthdays, Valentine's, graduations. Somebody wants to pay for a tattoo that someone else gets to pick. Without a gift certificate, they end up buying something else. With one, you get paid now and meet a new client later.
Things to decide first
- A minimum amount. Enough to cover your shop minimum, so the certificate actually pays for a tattoo.
- Whether it covers the deposit, the whole piece, or either
- What the recipient does next: book online and use the code
- Expiry. Check your local rules first, because a lot of places limit or ban expiry dates on gift cards
Make it easy to hand over
Most gift certificates are bought a few days before the birthday, sometimes the night before. The buyer wants something they can forward or print, with your name on it and a clear next step. Keep the note short: here's a gift, here's where to book, here's how to use the code.
When the recipient books, treat them like any new client. They didn't pick you, a friend did, so your page and your first message are how you win them over.
How it works on Studio Haven
Buyers get gift certificates from your page. They choose the amount, and can add the recipient's name and email. Each one gets a unique code, and the payment goes to your own Stripe or Square account. You can see every certificate and its code in your admin.
Around the holidays, post the gift certificate link next to your flash. It's the easiest thing you'll sell all month.
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.
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Questions artists ask
Can gift certificates expire?
That depends on where you are. Many provinces and states restrict expiry dates on gift cards. Check your local rules before you print one on it.
What amount should a tattoo gift certificate be?
At least your shop minimum. You can let buyers pick any amount above that.
What if the recipient doesn't want a tattoo?
Some artists let them pass it on to a friend. Whatever you decide, put it in the certificate terms so it's clear.
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