Best Questions to Ask on Your Tattoo Booking Form  (+ Free Waiver Template)

Chasing tattoo details through DMs gets old fast. And nothing throws off your day like a client showing up with surprise skin issues or unclear expectations. A clear booking form stops that before it starts.

In this guide, you’ll get a straightforward list of the best questions to include in your tattoo booking form, plus a tattoo waiver template you can use right away.

What to Ask in Your Tattoo Booking Form

Client Info

You don’t need their life story, just the necessary information to stay in touch and keep things professional.

Include these fields:

• Full name (first and last)
• Pronouns (optional, but respectful)
• Email and phone number (so you can send reminders and reach them if anything changes)
• Emergency contact (optional, but smart to have, especially for longer sessions)

Also helpful to include:

• Have you been tattooed by me before? (Yes/No)
• How did you hear about me? (Instagram, TikTok, referral, flash event, etc.)
  These help you keep track of return clients and what marketing is working—useful info that takes seconds to collect.

If you're booking through Venue, all of this info stays organized under each client profile—no need to dig through old texts.

Tattoo Details

• “Where on your body do you want the tattoo?”
  Tip: Include a dropdown or list of common areas (forearm, upper arm, thigh, etc.) and a short text field for “Other.”
• “Roughly how big?” (Example: “About 3 inches” or “Hand-sized”)
  Optional: Include a guide image to help them visualize different sizes.
• “What tattoo style are you thinking of?”
  Give options to choose from: fine line, blackwork, realism, neo-traditional, etc. You can also include a text box for clients who want to describe it in their own words.
• Color or black and grey?Simple toggle or multiple choice. Helps with planning and quoting.
• “Tell me what you’re thinking for the design, describe your idea. Be as detailed as you’d like.”
  This open field gives them room to share meaning, mood, or any key elements they want included.
• “Can you provide some reference images?”
  Ask them to upload any inspiration they have—other tattoos, sketches, photos, anything that helps explain the concept. By the way, clients can drop in inspo pics right in the Venue Ink booking form, so you don’t have to follow up through email or other messaging channels. 
• “Have you been tattooed before?”
  This helps you gauge experience. First-timers might need extra info on prep, pain, or aftercare.

Health & Consent

These questions protect both you and your client. They help you spot risks early and avoid healing issues. Keep it direct, and mark the important ones as required fields.

Ask these:

• “Let me know if you have any known allergies (like latex or adhesives), or skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, or keloids in the area to be tattooed.”
  This helps you avoid reactions, scarring, or bad healing.
• “Are you currently pregnant or nursing?”Some artists won’t tattoo pregnant or nursing clients—if that’s you, make it clear here so there are no surprises later.
• “Do you have any bloodborne illnesses (like Hepatitis B/C or HIV)?”
  Prompt this with a short reminder: “This info is confidential and helps me follow the right safety protocols.”
  This is not discrimination, this information is critical for working safely.
• “Are you 18 or older?”Make this a checkbox or dropdown. If you require ID at the appointment, say that too.
• “Are you under the influence of drugs or alcohol?”
  Include a simple yes/no and explain: “Clients must not be under the influence at their appointment. It affects your pain tolerance, your safety, and the outcome.”

Rescheduling & Cancellation Acknowledgment

Even if your policy is listed elsewhere, having clients confirm it in the form sets clear expectations.

Ask: “Do you understand and agree to the cancellation and rescheduling policy?”

Include a short line that matches your actual policy, like:
“Deposits are non-refundable. You can reschedule with at least 48 hours' notice.”

Add a required checkbox:
“Yes, I understand and agree to these terms.”

Additional Notes: Give Them Space to Share

Always include a final open-text box. Some clients have specific requests, concerns, or context that won’t fit neatly into your form. This is where they’ll tell you if they’re traveling for the appointment, have a scar they want to cover, or just want to say thanks for your work.

Tattoo Waiver Template (Free Copy/Paste)

A waiver protects you and makes sure the client understands what they’re agreeing to. It covers health risks, consent, and responsibility, so if something goes wrong during healing or after the appointment, you’re not left exposed.

Keep it short, clear, and part of your regular process. You can include it in your booking form or have clients sign it at check-in.

A tattoo waiver includes:

• Age confirmation (18+)
• Medical acknowledgment (tattooing over moles, allergies, conditions, etc.)
• Statement of understanding pain/discomfort
• Confirmation they’re not under the influence
• Release of liability
• Consent to photo/video usage
• Signature, initials, and date fields

Is a Tattoo Waiver Legally Binding?

A waiver can be legally binding, but that depends on how it’s written and whether it follows the laws in your state or country. In general, a well-written waiver helps protect you by showing that your client gave informed consent. It’s not a bulletproof shield in court, but it’s one of the best tools you have to document that the client understood the risks and accepted them.

To be safer:

• Make sure the language is clear and easy to understand.
• Collect signatures (physical or digital) and store them securely.
• Don’t promise anything in the waiver that you can’t legally guarantee (like “no chance of infection”).

For extra protection, talk to a local lawyer who knows body art or personal service laws in your area. 

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

• A consent form is about the client giving permission. It confirms they’re choosing to get tattooed, understand what it involves, and agree to go ahead with it. Think of it as them saying, “Yes, I understand and I’m in.”
• A waiver focuses on limiting your liability. It says the client understands the risks (pain, healing complications, allergic reactions, etc.) and agrees not to hold you responsible if something unexpected happens.

Most tattoo forms combine both—and that’s what you want. The best approach is to use a single form that covers both informed consent and liability release. That way, you're protected and your client is fully informed.

Tattoo Waiver Template

I, [Full Name], confirm that I am at least 18 years old and am choosing to get tattooed by [Artist Name] at [Studio Name].

By signing this form, I agree to the following:

• I am not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• I do not have any medical or skin conditions that could affect healing, including keloids, eczema, psoriasis, or active infections near the tattoo area.
• I am not pregnant or nursing.
• I understand tattoos can involve risks like infection, allergic reaction, or scarring.
• I understand healing varies by person and is not guaranteed.
• I understand tattooing over moles, scars, or other skin conditions may involve added risk.
• I take full responsibility for the design, placement, spelling, and meaning of the tattoo I’ve approved.
• I release the artist and studio from any responsibility related to the tattoo or healing process.
• I allow photos or videos of my tattoo to be used for portfolio or social media.
  (Add a checkbox if you want to give clients the option to decline.)

Signature: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Initials: _______

Build Booking and Consent Forms Seamlessly in Venue

With Venue, you can create a fully custom booking and consent form in minutes, and collect everything you need upfront.

Use simple drag-and-drop fields to build your form exactly how you want it:

• Ask for placement, size, references, and design ideas
• Add image uploads for inspo or healed work
• Include medical disclosures and your full waiver
• Make key fields required so nothing gets skipped

You can add required checkboxes for things like your cancellation policy, health disclosures, and waiver agreement—so you have written confirmation before the client walks in. 

Once a client submits your tattoo booking form, you’ll get all the info in one place—plus their deposit, if you’ve added one. You can set automatic approvals, or review and accept requests manually if you want more control.

You can also ask your clients to sign the consent form on-site. (You can use the above free tattoo waiver template.) A physical signature collected in person is generally considered legally binding, as long as the form is clear, voluntary, and the client is of legal age.

You’ve got what you need. Go get back to your art.

Start your free Venue Ink account and get your booking system dialed in. It’s free for artists.