Articles on: Artists

Creating Special Pricing Rules

Creating Special Pricing Rules

Set up custom pricing rules for holidays, events, flash sales, and special promotions to maximize bookings and revenue.



Overview


Special pricing rules allow you to offer time-limited promotions, discounts on specific tattoo styles or placements, and event-based pricing (like Friday the 13th flash sales). These rules automatically apply to qualifying bookings, helping you attract new clients during slow periods or run promotions that drive business. All pricing adjustments are applied behind the scenes—clients only see the final discounted price.


Step-by-Step Guide


Step 1: Access Pricing Rules


  1. Log in to your Apprentice artist dashboard
  2. Navigate to Settings → Pricing
  3. Click on the Pricing Rules tab
  4. Click Create New Rule


Step 2: Choose Your Rule Type


Select the type of pricing rule you want to create:


Wildcard Pricing Rules

Match specific patterns for styles, placements, or client attributes:

  • Style-based: "15% off all blackwork tattoos"
  • Placement-based: "20% off forearm pieces this month"
  • Client-based: "10% off for first-time clients"
  • Multi-condition: "Traditional style + upper arm + new client = 25% off"


Flash Sales

Special pricing on specific flash designs with inventory tracking:

  • Set a fixed price for a flash design
  • Track how many times it's been booked
  • Automatically disable when sold out


Special Events

Time-based promotions for holidays and events:

  • Friday the 13th flash deals
  • Holiday promotions (Valentine's Day, Halloween)
  • Birthday month discounts
  • Anniversary specials


Step 3: Configure a Wildcard Pricing Rule


For pattern-based discounts:


  1. Rule Name: Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "Summer Blackwork Sale")
  2. Match Conditions: Define what qualifies for this rule:
  • Style: Select specific styles (traditional, realism, blackwork, etc.)
  • Placement: Choose body locations (forearm, back, shoulder, etc.)
  • Size: Select applicable sizes (small, medium, large)
  • Client Status: New clients, returning clients, VIP clients
  • Wildcards: Use * to match any value (e.g., style:* = all styles)


  1. Pricing Adjustment: Choose adjustment type:
  • Percentage Discount: 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, etc.
  • Fixed Amount Off: $25 off, $50 off, etc.
  • Set Fixed Price: Charge exactly $200 (overrides all calculations)


  1. Priority: Set rule priority (1-10):
  • Higher priority rules apply first
  • Used when multiple rules could match


  1. Click Preview Examples to see how the rule affects pricing


Step 4: Configure a Flash Sale


For special pricing on flash designs:


  1. Select Flash Design: Choose from your portfolio
  2. Sale Price: Set the special price (e.g., $150 instead of $300)
  3. Inventory Limit: How many times this design can be booked (e.g., 5 bookings)
  4. Valid Dates: Start and end dates for the sale
  5. Description: Client-facing description (e.g., "Limited to 5 bookings!")


Flash designs automatically show "X of Y remaining" on your booking page.


Step 5: Configure a Special Event Promotion


For time-based promotions:


  1. Event Name: "Friday the 13th Special," "Valentine's Day Hearts"
  2. Event Date(s): Select single day or date range
  3. Eligible Designs: All flash designs, specific designs, or specific styles
  4. Discount: Percentage off or fixed price
  5. Promotion Code (optional): Require clients to enter a code
  6. Auto-Apply: Toggle on to apply automatically without code


Step 6: Set Stacking Rules


Control how multiple promotions combine:


  1. Allow Stacking: Can this rule combine with others?
  • Yes: Client gets both discounts
  • No: Only the best single discount applies


  1. Stack Priority: If stacking allowed, in what order?
  • Higher priority discounts apply first
  • Subsequent discounts apply to already-reduced price


  1. Maximum Discount Cap: Set a total discount limit
  • Example: "Maximum 40% total discount across all promotions"


Step 7: Configure Notification Settings


Decide how to notify clients about promotions:


  1. Show on Booking Page: Display promotion badge
  2. Email Announcement: Send to your client list
  3. SMS Announcement: Text clients about the promotion (uses SMS credits)
  4. Social Media Copy: Auto-generate promotion text for Instagram/Facebook


Step 8: Review and Activate


  1. Review all rule settings in the summary panel
  2. Click Test Rule to see example calculations
  3. Verify dates, discounts, and conditions are correct
  4. Toggle Active to enable the rule
  5. Click Save Pricing Rule


The rule is now live and will automatically apply to qualifying bookings.


Tips


  • Start with simple rules: Test one rule at a time before creating complex stacking scenarios
  • Use flash sales strategically: Run flash sales during historically slow booking periods
  • Friday the 13th is powerful: This is the most popular tattoo promotion day—plan ahead
  • Limit flash inventory: Scarcity creates urgency ("Only 3 remaining!")
  • Set clear end dates: Time-limited promotions drive faster booking decisions
  • Test before going live: Use the preview tool to verify discounts calculate correctly
  • Don't over-discount: Maintain profitability—20% off is often sufficient to drive bookings
  • Promote everywhere: Share promotion links on Instagram, in emails, and via SMS for maximum reach


Common Issues


  • Issue: Rule isn't applying to bookings → Solution: Check that the rule is toggled "Active." Verify match conditions are correct (wildcards may be too specific). Check priority—a higher priority rule might be matching first.


  • Issue: Multiple rules are stacking when they shouldn't → Solution: Disable stacking on one or both rules. Set different priorities so only one applies. Use the "Maximum Discount Cap" setting.


  • Issue: Flash sale sold out immediately → Solution: Increase inventory limit for popular designs. Consider adding a "one per client" restriction. Stagger release times for high-demand flash.


  • Issue: Clients can't see the promotion → Solution: Ensure "Show on Booking Page" is enabled. Verify the rule dates include today. Check that clients are viewing the correct artist page.


  • Issue: Promotion expired but still showing → Solution: Toggle the rule to "Inactive" or delete it. Clear your browser cache to see updated booking page.


  • Issue: Discount percentage is calculating wrong → Solution: Check if multiple stacking rules are affecting the price. Verify reputation multiplier isn't inflating the base price. Review the calculation preview in settings.


Updated on: 16/01/2026

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!