# Apprentice — Full Product Information > Tattoo-first, multi-service booking and studio management software for artists, shops, and clients. ## About Apprentice Apprentice is the all-in-one platform built for tattoo studios — and now running every chair in the shop. It started as software for tattoo artists and has expanded to support piercing, permanent makeup (PMU), and tooth gem services, with laser removal, scarification, and implant support coming soon. Every service runs on the same booking, payments, consent, aftercare, and scheduling tools — no separate apps or add-ons required. It helps artists spend less time on admin and more time on art. For shops, it brings order to the chaos of managing multiple artists, walk-ins, and appointments across multiple service types. For clients, it removes the guesswork from getting a tattoo or piercing — from finding an artist to seeing a design before it's permanent. Available on web, iOS, and Android. - iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apprentice-tattoo-management/id6760150314 - Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apprentice.tattoo&hl=en_US --- ## Supported Services — https://useapprentice.com/services ### Live (Available Now) - **Tattoo** — Apprentice's home turf. Flash, custom work, deposits, consent, and aftercare built for tattoo artists and shops. - **Piercing** — Walk-in-friendly booking with a real body-location picker (ear, nose, navel, and more). Piercing-specific aftercare drip schedule. - **Permanent Makeup (PMU)** — Bookings with treatment-area intake for brows, lips, eyeliner, and scalp. Multi-session touch-up tracking with "Session N of N" labeling. - **Tooth Gems** — Fast, walk-in-friendly appointments. Short default durations; deposits and payments work the same as any service. ### Coming Soon (Not Yet Available) - **Laser Removal** — Removal-specific intake (ink colors, tattoo age, prior treatments) and multi-session package tracking. Not yet bookable. - **Scarification** — Service-specific consent and aftercare. Not yet bookable. - **Implants (Dermal/Subdermal)** — Service-specific consent and aftercare. Not yet bookable. Every live service is included on all plans — no per-service add-ons or upsells. --- ## For Tattoo Artists (and Multi-Service Studios) — https://useapprentice.com/artists Apprentice gives artists full control over their schedule, bookings, and client communication — across every service they offer. ### Online Booking Artists get a personalized booking link they can share on Instagram, their website, or anywhere. Clients fill out a booking form with their tattoo idea, reference images, placement, and size. Artists set their own availability, pricing rules, and deposit requirements. No more DM back-and-forth. ### AI Tattoo Design AI-powered design tools help artists and clients explore tattoo ideas together. Generate custom designs from text descriptions, iterate on concepts, adjust styles (fine line, blackwork, neo-traditional, etc.), and create placement previews. Clients can see how a design looks on their body before the appointment. ### Payments & Deposits Collect deposits automatically when clients book. Process card payments in the studio. Track tips, split payments between artists, and manage pricing rules (hourly rates, flat rates, minimum charges). Full revenue tracking and reporting. ### Flash Tattoo Gallery Showcase flash designs in a beautiful gallery. Clients browse, pick a design, and book — all in one flow. Track which designs sell best. Organize by collection or style. ### Consent & Prep Forms Digital consent forms replace paper. Clients fill them out on their phone before arriving. Automatic reminders ensure clients complete prep steps (hydration, aftercare product purchase, etc.) before their appointment. ### Client Messaging A unified inbox keeps all client communication in one place. Design feedback, appointment updates, reference image sharing — no more switching between DMs, texts, and email. Real-time chat with read receipts. ### Integrations Connect Apprentice to other tools via Zapier. Automate workflows like adding new clients to a mailing list, syncing appointments to Google Calendar, or sending custom notifications. --- ## For Tattoo Shops — https://useapprentice.com/shops Apprentice helps shop owners manage their team, handle walk-ins, and keep the front desk running smoothly. ### Team Management Add multiple artists to a shop account. Each artist gets their own booking page, calendar, and client list. Shop owners see everything in one dashboard — appointments, revenue, and availability across the whole team. ### Walk-In List A digital queue for walk-in clients across every service. Clients join via a kiosk (tablet at the front desk) or a QR code, and walk-in-friendly services (like piercings and tooth gems) surface ahead of longer tattoo sessions. SMS updates keep them informed about their position in line. Works great for busy flash days and pop-ups too. ### Front Desk & Reception A reception board shows who's waiting, who's being tattooed, and who's next. Kiosk mode lets clients check in on arrival. Notifications alert artists when their next client is ready. Payment processing happens right at the front desk. ### Shop Analytics See revenue by artist, track walk-in conversion rates, monitor booking trends, and understand busy periods. Data helps shops make better scheduling and staffing decisions. --- ## For Tattoo Clients — https://useapprentice.com/clients Apprentice makes the tattoo experience better for clients — from first idea to healed tattoo. ### Explore & Discover Browse artist portfolios and flash galleries. Filter by style, location, and availability. See pricing upfront. ### Collaborate on Designs Use AI design tools to explore ideas. Share reference images and describe what you want. See design iterations and provide feedback — all in one conversation thread with your artist. ### Easy Booking Book appointments through a simple form. Pay deposits securely online. Get automatic reminders before your appointment with prep instructions. ### Placement Preview See how a tattoo design will look on your body using AI-powered placement visualization. Adjust size and position before committing. ### Aftercare Receive digital aftercare instructions after your appointment. Track your healing progress. ### Client FAQ **Q: Is this free to use?** A: Yes — exploring designs and working with AI is free. You only pay when you book an appointment with an artist (and that goes to them, not us). **Q: Do I have to use AI?** A: Nope. If you already have a design or want to work directly with your artist, you can skip straight to booking. AI is just one tool to help you explore. **Q: Can I use this if I already know what I want?** A: Absolutely. Upload your reference images, share them with your artist, and book when you're ready. The AI tools are optional. **Q: How do I find the right artist for my style?** A: Browse portfolios, filter by style (blackwork, traditional, fine line, etc.), and look for artists whose work matches what you're going for. When you find someone you like, you can message them directly. **Q: What happens after I book?** A: You'll get a link to complete your prep — consent form, deposit, and instructions. Then you'll get a reminder before your appointment. Show up, get tattooed, love it. **Q: What if I need to reschedule?** A: Most artists let you reschedule within their rules (usually 24-48 hours notice). Check the booking details for specifics. **Q: Is this safe? Who sees my designs?** A: Your designs are private unless you share them with an artist. We don't sell your data or use your designs for anything else. --- ## Feature Pages ### Services Hub — https://useapprentice.com/services Overview of all live services (tattoo, piercing, PMU, tooth gems) and coming-soon services (laser removal, scarification, implants), with per-service intake and capability details. ### Booking — https://useapprentice.com/features/booking Personalized booking links, automated deposits, calendar sync, availability management, booking rules, expiring links, and automatic reminders. **Booking FAQ:** **Q: Can clients book specific services or just times?** A: Both. You can set up different appointment types (consultation, small piece, full day) with different durations and prices. Clients pick what they need. **Q: What if someone needs to reschedule?** A: Reminders include a reschedule link. You set the rules — how much notice they need to give, whether they can reschedule at all. If they cancel, their slot opens back up automatically. **Q: Do I need to pay for reminders?** A: Standard email and text reminders are included on all plans. You pick the timing. **Q: What if I work at multiple shops?** A: You can add multiple locations with different hours for each. Clients see which location they're booking at. Your calendar shows everything in one view. **Q: How does the Google Calendar sync work?** A: It syncs both ways. Appointments you book in Apprentice show up in Google Calendar. Blocks you add in Google Calendar mark you as unavailable in Apprentice. **Q: Can I still book clients manually?** A: Of course. You can add appointments directly anytime. The booking link is for clients who book themselves — but you're always in control. **Q: What about walk-ins?** A: Walk-ins aren't bookings — they're handled through the Walk-In List. Check out our Walk-In List feature for handling busy days. --- ### AI Design — https://useapprentice.com/features/ai-design AI tattoo generation, style exploration, placement previews, design iteration, stencil creation, and client collaboration. **AI Design FAQ:** **Q: Will AI replace tattoo artists?** A: No. These tools help you work faster, not work instead of you. AI can't read a client, understand body flow, or know what heals well. You still make the art. **Q: Can clients generate designs without an artist?** A: Clients can explore concepts to share with their artist, but the design process stays collaborative. Artists approve, refine, and finalize everything. **Q: What styles does the AI know?** A: Traditional, neo-traditional, Japanese, blackwork, fine line, geometric, watercolor, realism, and more. You can also combine styles or describe something custom. **Q: Can I use references from other artists?** A: The tool generates new concepts based on style and subject — it doesn't copy existing artwork. If a client uploads a reference, the AI creates original interpretations, not copies. **Q: How realistic are placement previews?** A: Pretty realistic. The tool adjusts for perspective, skin tone, and body curvature. It's not perfect, but it's close enough for clients to make confident decisions. **Q: Is there a limit on how many concepts I can generate?** A: Each plan includes a monthly generation allowance. Most artists never hit it. If you need more, you can add credits anytime. **Q: Does the AI learn from my work?** A: No. Your designs stay yours. The AI doesn't train on user-generated content or store your artwork for model improvement. --- ### Payments — https://useapprentice.com/features/payments Deposit collection, card payments, pricing rules, split payments, tips, flash sales, manual tracking, and revenue reporting. **Payments FAQ:** **Q: What are the payment processing fees?** A: Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, plus Apprentice's 2% platform fee. By default the combined fee is added on top of your quoted price, so your client covers it and you keep 100%. If you'd rather show one clean number, you can absorb the fee instead — you choose in your settings. **Q: How long until I get my money?** A: Standard Stripe payouts take 2 business days. You can also enable instant payouts for a small fee if you need funds faster. **Q: Do I need a separate Stripe account?** A: Yes, but setup takes about 5 minutes. We walk you through connecting your Stripe account to Apprentice. If you already have Stripe, you can connect your existing account. **Q: Can clients still pay with Venmo or cash?** A: Absolutely. You can log those payments manually in Apprentice so they show up in your revenue dashboard alongside card payments. **Q: What's Affirm and how does it work?** A: Affirm lets clients split larger payments into monthly installments. They apply at checkout and get approved instantly. You receive the full payment upfront — Affirm handles collecting from the client over time. **Q: Are deposits refundable?** A: That's up to you. You set your own deposit and refund policies. Apprentice shows your policy to clients before they book, so expectations are clear. **Q: Can I set different prices for different services?** A: Yes. You can create different appointment types with different pricing — hourly rate, flat fee, size-based, whatever works for you. **Q: What about tips?** A: Tip prompts appear at checkout. Clients can choose a percentage or custom amount. Tips are tracked separately in your dashboard so you know exactly what you made in tips vs. service revenue. --- ### Flash Gallery — https://useapprentice.com/features/flash Flash design showcase, collections, booking integration, analytics, and sales tracking. **Flash FAQ:** **Q: Can clients book directly from my gallery?** A: Yes. They browse your gallery, tap a design, and request a booking. You see which flash they want right in the request. **Q: How do I mark a design as tattooed?** A: One tap. When you tattoo a piece, mark it as "Tattooed" and it stays in your gallery but shows as no longer available. **Q: Can I run a flash sale?** A: Yes. Mark any design as on sale, set a sale price, and optionally add an end date. The sale badge shows automatically. **Q: Do I need to upload every design manually?** A: No. You can bulk upload from your camera roll or files. Drag and drop a whole folder if you want. **Q: Does this work for shops with multiple artists?** A: Yes. Each artist manages their own flash. The shop gallery shows everyone's work together, with filters by artist. --- ### Consent & Prep — https://useapprentice.com/features/consent-prep Digital consent forms, prep checklists, automatic reminders, aftercare instructions, and compliance tracking. **Consent FAQ:** **Q: Can I customize my consent form?** A: Yes. Create your own questions, add health disclosures, and include any legal language you need. Shops can set templates that all artists use. **Q: Is the digital signature legally valid?** A: Yes. Every signature includes a timestamp, IP address, and device information. This creates an audit trail that's often stronger than paper. **Q: Can clients access aftercare instructions later?** A: Absolutely. Aftercare instructions live on their confirmation page permanently. They can access them anytime without digging through texts or emails. **Q: Do clients need to create an account?** A: No. Clients complete the prep flow without creating an account or downloading an app. It's just a link that works on any phone. **Q: Can I use this for walk-ins?** A: Yes. Send a prep link on the spot or have clients complete consent on a tablet at your front desk. **Q: What if I need different consent forms for different services?** A: You can create multiple consent templates and assign them to specific service types or use a single form for everything — your choice. --- ### Inbox & Messaging — https://useapprentice.com/features/inbox Unified inbox, real-time chat, design feedback, appointment reminders, deposit reminders, and project-based conversations. --- ### Walk-In List — https://useapprentice.com/features/walk-ins Digital queue across every service, kiosk mode, SMS updates, walk-in-friendly services surfaced ahead of longer sessions, artist assignment, and conversion tracking. **Walk-In List FAQ:** **Q: Do clients need to download an app?** A: No. Everything works in their phone's web browser. They get a link via text or scan a QR code. No app required. **Q: What if someone doesn't have a phone?** A: You can still add them to the queue manually and call them the old-fashioned way. The system is flexible. **Q: Does this cost extra for text messages?** A: Standard SMS notifications are included on all plans. No per-message fees. **Q: Can clients see other people's names on the Walk-In List?** A: By default, clients only see their own position and estimated wait. They don't see other names. You can enable a public board if you want. **Q: Can I limit how many people join the Walk-In List?** A: Yes. Set a maximum queue size. When it's full, the kiosk shows "Walk-In List full — check back later" instead of adding more people. **Q: How do estimated wait times work?** A: You set an average service time per artist. The system calculates based on position and artist availability. It's an estimate — you can adjust or turn it off. **Q: Can I use this for appointments too, or just walk-ins?** A: The Walk-In List is specifically for walk-ins. For scheduled appointments, check out our booking features. They work together — you'll see both on your reception board. --- ### Front Desk — https://useapprentice.com/features/front-desk Reception board, kiosk check-in, notifications, payment processing, prep status tracking, and walk-in management. **Front Desk FAQ:** **Q: Do I need special hardware?** A: Nope. Any tablet works for the kiosk—an iPad is great, but Android tablets work too. For the reception board, use any screen, TV, or just a browser on your computer. **Q: Can artists see the board on their phones?** A: Yes. Artists can see the board and their schedule on their phone or any device. They also get push notifications when clients check in. **Q: What if a client doesn't have an appointment?** A: Walk-ins can join the Walk-In List from the kiosk. They'll see their estimated wait time and can browse flash while they wait. **Q: Does check-in work if the client hasn't paid their deposit?** A: Yes, they can still check in—but you'll see a warning that their deposit is missing. You can collect it right there at the desk. **Q: How do payments work at checkout?** A: You can accept cards, Apple Pay, or log cash. Tips are included. Everything ties back to the appointment automatically. **Q: How long does setup take?** A: Most shops get the board and kiosk running in an afternoon. If you already have your artists and calendar set up in Apprentice, it's even faster. --- ### Integrations — https://useapprentice.com/features/integrations Zapier integration for connecting with Google Calendar, Mailchimp, Slack, QuickBooks, and hundreds of other tools. **Integrations FAQ:** **Q: Do I need a Zapier account?** A: Yes. Zapier has a free tier that covers basic automations. You'll connect Apprentice to Zapier using an API key from your Apprentice settings. **Q: Is the Zapier integration free?** A: The integration itself is included on all Apprentice plans, including Free. Your Zapier plan determines how many Zaps and tasks you can run. **Q: What's the difference between artist keys and shop keys?** A: Artist keys scope everything to one artist — their clients, appointments, and payments. Shop keys cover all artists in the shop, so a single Zap can serve the entire team. **Q: Can I test my Zaps without affecting real data?** A: Yes. Create a test API key in your Apprentice settings. Test keys work identically but operate on a separate environment, so your real client data is never touched. **Q: When are triggers coming?** A: Outbound triggers are planned for a future update. They'll let Apprentice notify Zapier when events happen — like a new booking or completed appointment. For now, you can use scheduled Zaps to check for new data periodically. --- ## Pricing — https://useapprentice.com/pricing ### For Artists #### Free Plan — $0/month - Booking page with custom link - 50 AI design generations per month - Up to 50 clients - Basic consent forms - Google Calendar sync - Stencil & AI Tattoo Generator - Email support #### Pro Plan — $24.99/month - Everything in Free - Unlimited AI generations - Unlimited clients - Priority support - Advanced analytics - Advanced booking rules - Payment processing - Flash gallery - Client messaging ### For Shops #### Shop Free Plan — $0/month - Up to 3 artists - 50 AI generations/month per artist - Up to 100 clients - Front desk tools - Google Calendar sync #### Studio Pro Plan — $59.99/month - Everything in Shop Free - 3 artist accounts included - Unlimited AI generations - Unlimited clients - Priority support - $19.99/month per additional artist - Shop dashboard - Walk-In List - Team analytics - Reception board **Pricing FAQ:** **Q: What's included in the free plan?** A: The free plan includes your public booking page, up to 50 clients, 50 AI generations per month, calendar sync, automatic reminders, flash gallery, and payment tracking. Everything you need to get started. **Q: Do I need a credit card to start?** A: No. You can start using Apprentice for free without entering any payment information. We only ask for payment details when you upgrade to a paid plan. **Q: Can I switch plans at any time?** A: Yes. You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time. If you upgrade, the change takes effect immediately. If you downgrade, it takes effect at the end of your current billing period. **Q: What happens when my trial ends?** A: After your 14-day trial, you'll be moved to the free plan unless you choose to subscribe. You won't lose any data — you'll just have the free plan limits until you upgrade. **Q: How does adding additional artists work?** A: On the Studio Pro plan, you get 3 artist accounts included. Need more? Each additional artist is $19.99/month. They get their own login, their own clients, and their own booking page — all managed from your shop dashboard. **Q: What payment methods do you accept?** A: We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) through Stripe. For annual plans, you can also pay via bank transfer — contact us to set that up. **Q: Can I use Apprentice for multiple shops?** A: Yes. Each shop needs its own Studio Pro subscription. Contact us if you're managing multiple locations — we offer volume discounts for 3+ shops. **Q: Can I switch from an Artist plan to a Shop plan?** A: Absolutely. Contact support and we'll help migrate your account. Your client data and booking history will transfer over. **Q: What happens to my data if I downgrade?** A: Your data is never deleted. If you exceed the limits of your new plan (like having more than 50 clients on Free), you'll still see all your data — you just won't be able to add new clients until you're under the limit or upgrade again. **Q: Do you offer refunds?** A: We offer a full refund within the first 30 days if you're not happy. After that, we don't offer partial refunds, but you can cancel anytime to prevent future charges. **Q: Who pays the processing fee?** A: You choose. By default, the processing fee (Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30 plus Apprentice's 2% platform fee) is added on top of your quoted price — so your client covers it and you keep 100%. If you'd rather show your client one clean number, you can absorb the fee instead. No credit card required to start. Cancel anytime. 14-day free trial on Pro plans. --- ## Download — https://useapprentice.com/download Apprentice is available on iOS, Android, and web. - iOS App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apprentice-tattoo-management/id6760150314 - Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apprentice.tattoo&hl=en_US - Web App: https://app.useapprentice.com --- ## Resources ### Blog — https://useapprentice.com/blog Articles about tattoo business management, marketing tips, design trends, and industry insights. ### Tattoo Convention Calendar — https://useapprentice.com/resources/conventions Upcoming tattoo conventions across the United States with dates, locations, and details. ### Pricing Calculator — https://useapprentice.com/resources/pricing-calculator Tool to help tattoo artists calculate fair pricing based on time, complexity, and overhead. ### Tattoo Studio Requirements by State — https://useapprentice.com/resources/state-requirements Licensing, permits, fees, and health-code requirements for opening a tattoo studio in all 50 US states. Each state records the governing agency, the studio permit and its term, per-artist requirements, startup permit cost, time to open, minimum client age, and renewal cadence. Twenty-nine guides also contain sourced county and city findings. Those local sections disclose research confidence, link to official sources, and use explicit confirmation guidance when a permit, fee, timeline, or renewal rule is not widely available in public records. Machine-readable extract of the whole 50-state dataset: https://useapprentice.com/resources/state-requirements.md ### Tattoo Pain Chart — https://useapprentice.com/resources/tattoo-pain-chart Relative tattoo pain levels by body placement. ### Templates — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates Free templates for tattoo consent forms, aftercare instructions, booking policies, and more. Available templates: - Tattoo Consent Form — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/tattoo-consent-form - Liability Waiver — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/liability-waiver - Health Questionnaire — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/health-questionnaire - Aftercare Instructions — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/aftercare-instructions - Deposit Agreement — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/deposit-agreement - Payment Receipt — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/payment-receipt - Design Approval — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/design-approval - Tattoo Description — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/tattoo-description - ID Verification — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/id-verification - Medical Release — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/medical-release - Minor Consent — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/minor-consent - Appointment Prep Checklist — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/appointment-prep-checklist - Touch-Up Policy — https://useapprentice.com/resources/templates/touch-up-policy --- ## Comparisons — https://useapprentice.com/compare Side-by-side breakdowns of Apprentice against other tattoo booking and studio management platforms. The hub carries a full feature matrix and pricing for every platform in one table. Each head-to-head page covers pricing, the feature comparison, an honest section on where the competitor comes out ahead, and migration notes. Features verified February 2026; pricing re-checked June 2026. Data comes from public product pages, pricing pages, and published docs. - **Apprentice vs Porter** — Cheaper for shops and design-native. Porter still wins on POS and tax paperwork: https://useapprentice.com/compare/apprentice-vs-porter - **Apprentice vs Tattoo Studio Pro** — Both price fairly. Apprentice adds a free plan and design tools; TSP wins on POS: https://useapprentice.com/compare/apprentice-vs-tattoo-studio-pro - **Apprentice vs Venue Ink** — Lower client fee and real design tools. Venue wins on zero monthly cost and instant payouts: https://useapprentice.com/compare/apprentice-vs-venue-ink - **Apprentice vs InkBook** — No tier-gating and design tools built in. InkBook wins on POS, loyalty, and retail: https://useapprentice.com/compare/apprentice-vs-inkbook - **Apprentice vs TattooPro** — Free tier, far lower price, and design tools. TattooPro wins on reviews and built-in POS: https://useapprentice.com/compare/apprentice-vs-tattoopro - **Apprentice vs Linework** — Client inbox, marketing, and design tools. Linework wins on POS and rent-split invoicing: https://useapprentice.com/compare/apprentice-vs-linework - **Apprentice vs InkDesk** — Built-in deposits and design tools. InkDesk wins on flat no-fee pricing and a free apprentice year: https://useapprentice.com/compare/apprentice-vs-inkdesk - **Apprentice vs TattooGenda** — US-first with design tools and all services. TattooGenda wins on EU ink traceability and low EU pricing: https://useapprentice.com/compare/apprentice-vs-tattoogenda - **Apprentice vs LucentDesk** — Scales to shops and adds design tools. LucentDesk wins as a simple, free solo booking bot: https://useapprentice.com/compare/apprentice-vs-lucentdesk --- ## Company Information - **Website:** https://useapprentice.com - **Contact:** https://useapprentice.com/contact - **Privacy Policy:** https://useapprentice.com/privacy - **Terms of Service:** https://useapprentice.com/terms - **Instagram:** https://www.instagram.com/useapprentice - **Twitter/X:** https://twitter.com/useapprentice - **iOS App:** https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apprentice-tattoo-management/id6760150314 - **Android App:** https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apprentice.tattoo&hl=en_US