Completing Your Pre-Appointment Preparation

Complete consent forms and pay deposits before your appointment to ensure a smooth check-in.

Overview

Pre-appointment preparation is a secure online process where you complete required paperwork and payment before your tattoo appointment. This saves time when you arrive and ensures your artist has everything they need before starting your session.

Your preparation typically includes:

• Consent forms - Liability waivers, health questionnaires
• Deposit payment - Securing your appointment time (if required)

Most clients complete preparation in 5-10 minutes from their phone or computer.

Why Preparation Is Important

For You:

• No paperwork delays on appointment day
• More time for the actual tattoo session
• Peace of mind that everything is in order
• Quick check-in when you arrive

For Your Artist:

• Review your health information ahead of time
• Ensure deposit is secured
• Plan session knowing you're committed
• Reduce no-shows and last-minute cancellations

When You'll Receive Your Prep Link

Your artist will send you a preparation link:

Timing:

• Usually 24-48 hours before your appointment
• Sometimes immediately after booking
• Always with enough time to complete it

How You'll Receive It:

• Email - Check your inbox and spam folder
• SMS/Text - Direct link to click
• Both email and SMS if you provided both

What the Message Looks Like:

Subject: Complete Your Appointment Preparation - [Artist Name]

Hi [Your Name],

Please complete your preparation for your appointment
on [Date] at [Time].

This includes consent forms and deposit payment.

Complete preparation: [Secure Link]

This link expires in 30 minutes.

Questions? Reply to this message.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Open Your Preparation Link

1. Find the message from your artist

• Check email inbox and spam folder
• Check text messages

2. Click the secure link

• Opens in your web browser
• Works on phone, tablet, or computer

3. Link expires in 30 minutes

• If expired, contact your artist for a new link
• Artists can extend or resend links

Security Note: The link is unique to you and cannot be shared.

Step 2: Review Appointment Details

You'll see a welcome screen with:

Appointment Information:

• Date and time of your appointment
• Artist's name and photo
• Shop location and address
• What you're getting tattooed

What's Required:

• Number of consent forms to sign
• Deposit amount (if applicable)
• Total estimated time to complete

Progress Indicator:

Shows your completion status:

[ Consent Forms ] → [ Deposit Payment ] → [ Complete ✓ ]

Step 3: Sign Consent Forms

You may need to sign multiple forms sequentially (one at a time).

Common Form Types:

1. General Consent & Release

• Confirms you consent to being tattooed
• Releases the artist/shop from liability
• States you're of legal age

2. Health Questionnaire

• Medical conditions that may affect tattooing
• Allergies (especially to latex or ink ingredients)
• Current medications
• Pregnancy status
• Recent illnesses or vaccines

3. Aftercare Acknowledgment

• Confirms you received aftercare instructions
• Understand healing process and risks
• Agree to follow aftercare guidelines

How to Sign Each Form:

1. Read the form carefully

• Scroll through all content
• Don't skip important legal information
• Ask questions if anything is unclear

2. Complete interactive fields (if present)

Your form may include different types of fields:

• Yes/No questions - Tap "Yes" or "No" to answer health questions
• Text fields - Type your response (allergies, medications, etc.)
• Date fields - Select a date from the calendar picker
• Checkboxes - Tap to confirm you've read and agree to each item
• Initials boxes - Type your initials (2-4 letters) to acknowledge specific terms

Required fields are marked with asterisks (*)

3. Sign in the signature box

On touchscreen:

• Use your finger to sign
• Sign clearly in the box

Using mouse:

• Click and drag to draw your signature
• Try to sign naturally

Signature tips:

• Sign as you normally would
• Don't rush - take your time
• If you make a mistake, tap "Clear" and try again

4. Review your signature

• Make sure it's legible
• Matches your legal signature
• Tap "Clear" to redo if needed

5. Tap "Sign & Continue"

• Saves your signature
• Moves to next form (if multiple forms)

Progress Through Multiple Forms:

If you have multiple forms:

• A progress bar shows which form you're on
• Example: "Form 2 of 3"
• Each form must be completed before moving to the next
• Previously signed forms show a green checkmark ✓

Can you go back?

• Yes, you can review signed forms
• Tap on a completed form in the progress bar
• Signed forms are read-only (can't re-sign)

Step 4: Pay Deposit (If Required)

After all consent forms are signed, you may need to pay a deposit.

Why Deposits Are Required:

• Secures your appointment time
• Compensates artist if you cancel late
• Applied toward your final tattoo cost
• Typically 20-50% of the estimated total

Deposit Amount:

• Clearly displayed before payment
• Set by your artist
• Example: "$100 deposit (applied to $400 session cost)"

Payment Process:

1. Review deposit details

• Amount to charge
• What it covers
• Refund policy (if applicable)

2. Enter payment information

• Card number
• Expiration date (MM/YY)
• CVC security code (3-4 digits on back of card)
• Billing ZIP code

3. Powered by Stripe

• Industry-standard secure payment processing
• Your card details are encrypted
• Never stored on Apprentice servers
• PCI-DSS compliant

4. Tap "Pay Deposit"

• Processes immediately
• You'll see a confirmation screen

5. Payment confirmation

• Receipt sent to your email
• Confirmation code displayed
• Appointment marked as "Deposit Paid"

Accepted Payment Methods:

• Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
• Debit cards with credit processing
• Some artists accept digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)

What if deposit was already paid?

• If you paid a deposit when booking, this step is skipped automatically
• You'll see: "Deposit already paid on [Date]"
• Continue directly to completion

Step 5: Completion Confirmation

After all steps are complete, you'll see:

✓ Preparation Complete!

What's Next:

• Check-in is now enabled for your appointment
• You can use the kiosk when you arrive
• No additional paperwork needed at the shop

What You'll Receive:

• Email confirmation with summary
• Signed consent forms (PDF attachments)
• Deposit receipt (if applicable)

Save These:

• Keep the confirmation email
• You may want to review forms before your appointment
• Deposit receipt for your records

Resuming Partial Completion

What if you don't finish in one session?

Your progress is automatically saved:

• Signed forms remain signed
• Payment is saved if completed
• You can close and resume later

How to Resume:

• Use the same link (if not expired)
• Request a new link from your artist if expired
• You'll see your progress and continue where you left off

Example:

✓ Consent Form (signed)
✓ Health Questionnaire (signed)
○ Deposit Payment (not complete)

Completing Prep During Check-In

Forgot to complete prep? Don't worry!

Some shops allow you to complete preparation at the check-in kiosk:

1. Start check-in as normal
2. See the prep warning:

• "⚠️ Preparation Required"

3. Tap "Complete Prep Now"
4. A drawer opens showing your prep tasks
5. Complete forms and payment right there
6. Check-in enabled when done

Note: Not all shops enable inline prep. If the button is missing, you'll need to complete prep before checking in.

Tips

Before You Start:

• Set aside 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted time
• Have a payment method ready if deposit is required
• Be in a quiet place to read forms carefully
• Use a stable internet connection

Reading Forms:

• Don't skip content - it's legally binding
• Take your time with health questionnaires
• Be honest about medical conditions (artist needs to know)
• Ask questions if anything is unclear (contact artist)

Signature Quality:

• Sign as legibly as possible
• Your signature should match your ID
• Don't use someone else's signature
• If signing on behalf of a minor, note that in custom fields

Payment Security:

• Only enter card details on the secure Stripe form
• Look for the lock icon in your browser
• Apprentice never stores your full card number
• Save your receipt email

Technical Issues:

• Use an updated browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
• Clear cache if page won't load
• Try a different device if signature won't register
• Contact artist if you experience errors

Common Issues

Issue: My prep link expired

Solution:

• Links expire after 30 minutes for security
• Contact your artist to request a new link
• Artists can extend or resend immediately
• Complete prep as soon as you receive the new link

Issue: I can't sign with my mouse/trackpad

Solution:

• Try signing more slowly
• Use a touch device if available (phone/tablet works great)
• Simplify your signature (initials may work)
• Contact your artist - they may have alternative options

Issue: My payment was declined

Solution:

• Check card number and expiration date
• Verify billing ZIP code matches your card
• Check with your bank (some flag tattoo shop charges)
• Try a different card
• Contact artist if issues persist

Issue: I don't see the deposit step

Solution:

• Check if deposit was already paid when you booked
• Not all artists require deposits
• Page will skip to completion if no deposit needed
• Contact artist to confirm if you're unsure

Issue: I made a mistake on a health form

Solution:

• Contact your artist immediately
• They can reset the form for you
• Better to correct now than on appointment day
• Health information is critical for your safety

Issue: I didn't receive a confirmation email

Solution:

• Check spam/junk folder
• Verify the email address you provided
• Confirmation may take a few minutes to arrive
• Contact artist to confirm they received your completion

Issue: I need to update my information after submitting

Solution:

• Contact your artist as soon as possible
• They can update details on their end
• For significant changes, they may send a new prep link
• Don't wait until appointment day

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have a medical condition?

Disclose all medical conditions honestly on the health questionnaire. Your artist needs this information to:

• Determine if tattooing is safe for you
• Take special precautions if needed
• Recommend postponing if you're sick
• Adjust their approach based on your needs

Are my signatures legally binding?

Yes. Electronic signatures have the same legal standing as written signatures. Read all forms carefully before signing.

What happens to my signed forms?

• Stored securely in Apprentice's database
• Only accessible to you, your artist, and the shop
• PDF copies emailed to you for your records
• Kept for legal compliance and artist protection

Can I complete prep on my phone?

Absolutely! The prep page is fully mobile-responsive. Most clients find it easier to sign on a touchscreen than with a mouse.

What if I'm under 18?

Tattooing requirements for minors vary by state and shop policy. You'll likely need:

• Parental consent
• Parent present at appointment
• Special consent forms
• Valid ID for both minor and parent

Contact your artist before your appointment to confirm requirements.

Is my payment information secure?

Yes. Payments are processed through Stripe, one of the world's most secure payment processors:

• Bank-level encryption
• PCI-DSS compliance
• Your card details never touch Apprentice servers
• Same security as major e-commerce sites

What's the deposit refund policy?

Refund policies vary by artist and shop. Common policies:

• Full refund: If you cancel 48+ hours in advance
• Partial refund: Canceling 24-48 hours before
• No refund: Late cancellations or no-shows
• Check your artist's specific policy in the confirmation email

Can I change my appointment after completing prep?

Contact your artist to reschedule. You typically won't need to complete prep again unless significant time passes or your health status changes.

Updated on: 20/01/2026