the short version
- 15small designs makes a good sheet. anywhere from 10 to 20 works.
- $100is the typical price for a flash piece under 2 inches on goodwork.
- 3 wksbefore the day is when to post the sheet, so people can plan.
a flash day is one day where you tattoo designs off a pre-drawn sheet, usually small and fast. running one on friday the 13th? that one has its own guide.
the date
pick a day people already care about
any date works. it just helps to give people a reason to come that day and not some other day.
what to do with this
- pick one date and stick to it. moving it later loses people.
- pick a theme so the sheet feels like a set, not leftovers.
the sheet
draw 10 to 20 small designs you can do fast
the day runs on speed. small, bold designs that stencil quickly mean more people get tattooed and nobody waits forever.
what to do with this
- keep every design about the same size, so one price fits the whole sheet.
- time yourself on one. if it takes more than about 30 minutes, simplify it.
- note where each one sits best: wrist, forearm, ankle, behind the ear.
- mark "one of one" designs. people move fast for those.
pricing
price by size, not by design
one price per size keeps the day simple. nobody has to ask, and you don't have to quote 40 times. here's what flash usually costs on goodwork:
typical flash prices on goodwork (los angeles)
middle price of 395 flash designs on goodwork, july 2026, from our state of tattoos report.
some artists drop the price for a flash day to pull a crowd. that's your call. just make sure the number still covers your time. the pricing guide has a calculator for that, and the full numbers are in the state of tattoos report.
what to do with this
- put the price right on the sheet, next to each size.
- say up front that day-of flash is as drawn, with small changes like size only.
walk-in or booked
decide how people get in before you post
if you book slots, a deposit holds each one. our deposit guide writes the policy for you.
getting the word out
post the sheet two to three weeks out
- 12 to 3 weeks beforepost the sheet with the date, prices, and walk-in or booked.
- 21 week beforepost it again and say which designs are still open.
- 3the day beforepost your hours and how the line works.
- 4the day ofpost on your story when designs are gone or you're full.
put the same flash on goodwork, with a fixed price for each size. socal clients browsing by style can see it and book it. goodwork takes 15% only on the first booking of a new client it found for you, and anyone who books through your own goodwork link costs you 0%.
on goodwork
list your flash with a price for each size
clients browsing by style can see it and book it. free to list. 15% only on the first booking of a new client goodwork finds for you. repeats and your own link are 0%.
list your flash freethe day
keep the line moving
- 1open with the sheet uppost it at the door and at your station, with prices.
- 2take names in ordera list or numbers, so people can grab food and come back.
- 3stencil the next one earlyprep the next design while the last client wraps up.
- 4call last callpick a cutoff time and stick to it.
day-of checklist
- stencils printed for every design.
- extra supplies. you'll use more of everything than a normal day.
- a way to take payment fast.
- water and food. long days go better fed.
follow your county's health rules like any other day, and only tattoo at a permitted shop.
after
ask for photos the next week
a flash day can give you 10 or 20 new clients in one go. a quick message a few days later keeps them.
what to do with this
- ask for a healed photo in a few weeks. healed flash is great for your page.
- ask happy clients to tag you or leave a review.
- save their contact so you can tell them about the next flash day.
a message you can send
"hey! thanks for coming to flash day. when it's healed, would you send me a photo? i'd love to post it. and if you want first dibs on the next sheet, i'll let you know."