the short version
- 30%is the most common deposit on goodwork. the rest take a flat $100.
- 48his the usual notice a client gives to move their date.
- $0extra for a no-show. the deposit covers it, nothing more.
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deposit policy generator
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your policy
booking + deposit policy deposit • to book, i take a deposit of 30% of your quote. it holds your date and covers the time i spend getting your piece ready. • it counts toward your final price, so at your appointment you'll only pay the rest. • deposits are non-refundable, because once you book, that time is set aside for you and i start on your design. • your deposit covers the drawing, including reasonable changes before your appointment. rescheduling • need to move your appointment? let me know at least 48 hours before and your deposit moves to the new date. • you can reschedule this way once. after that, the deposit is used up and a new one holds your next date. cancelling • if you cancel, or need to move with less than 48 hours of notice, the deposit stays with me to cover the time i held for you. • if something comes up and you can't make it, the same applies, and you're always welcome to book again with a new deposit. • nothing beyond the deposit is ever charged. running late • i'll hold your spot for 15 minutes. if you're running later than that, message me. we might shorten the session or move it to another day. if i need to reschedule • if i ever need to move or cancel your appointment, your deposit moves with you to a new date, or you get it back in full. your choice. booking means you've read and agree to this policy. questions? just ask before you pay.
a starting point, not legal advice.
take your 30% deposit automatically.
on goodwork, clients pay your deposit when they book, and it's held until after the session. your setting carries over when you set up.
set your depositthe deposit
most artists take 30% of the price
los angeles artists on goodwork take a percentage, usually 30%.
is the usual flat deposit for everyone else.
a deposit does two things. it holds a time slot you can't give anyone else, and it pays for the drawing you do before they sit down. 30% grows with the piece on its own: $60 on a $200 flash, $300 on a $1,000 day.
typical deposits by booking
typical patterns, not goodwork data. the 30% and $100 come from our state of tattoos in LA report (july 2026). nearly all of those artists give clients 48 hours to pay.
the price
most artists take the deposit off the final price
the client pays $100 to book a $400 piece and brings $300 on the day. easy to explain, and it feels fair. charging it on top as a booking fee is fine too, as long as you say so before they pay.
changes and no-shows
the deposit moves with notice, and stays without it
- 1pick a notice window48 hours works for most custom work. 24 for flash. a week for full-day sessions.
- 2cap the reschedulesone or two covers real life. after that, a new date needs a new deposit.
- 3treat a no-show like a late cancelthe deposit covers the time you held, and they can book again with a new one.
what to do with this
- never charge more than the deposit for a missed appointment.
- if you have to move a date, the deposit moves with them, or they get it back.
- show the policy before they pay. that's the version you can count on.
not legal advice. california limits penalty-style charges, so keep it to the deposit the client agreed to up front. writing terms for a whole shop? have a lawyer look.
on goodwork
you set the deposit, we hold it until the session
pick a flat amount or a percentage, and whether it comes off the price. clients pay it when they book. goodwork holds it until after the session, then pays it out to you.
listing is free. goodwork takes 15% only on the first booking of a new client it found for you. repeat clients and your own link are 0%, and tips are 100% yours. not sure what to charge in the first place? the pricing guide walks through it.
on goodwork
take deposits automatically
set your deposit once and clients pay it when they book. free to list. 15% only on the first booking of a new client goodwork finds for you. repeats and your own link are 0%.
set your deposit