Articles on: Shops

Creating Your Shop on Apprentice

Creating Your Shop on Apprentice

Get your tattoo shop set up on Apprentice and start managing your team.



Overview


Apprentice makes it easy to create a shop profile that brings your entire team together in one platform. Whether you're a solo artist opening your first shop or managing a multi-artist studio, setting up your shop takes just a few minutes. This guide will walk you through creating your shop profile and getting started with shop management.


Before You Begin


Make sure you have:

  • An Apprentice account (if not, sign up at apprentice.io)
  • Your shop's basic information (name, address, contact details)
  • A shop logo or image (optional but recommended)
  • Credit card for subscription payment (you can start with a free trial)


Step-by-Step Guide


Step 1: Navigate to Shop Creation


  1. Log in to your Apprentice dashboard
  2. Click on your profile icon in the top right
  3. Select Create Shop or navigate to /dashboard/shop/create
  4. You'll be directed to the shop setup form


Step 2: Enter Basic Shop Information


Shop Name:

  • Enter your shop's official name
  • This will appear on your public shop page and in all communications


Shop Description:

  • Write a brief description of your shop (2-3 sentences)
  • Highlight what makes your shop unique
  • Include specialties, style focus, or shop philosophy


Contact Information:

  • Phone number (for client inquiries and SMS notifications)
  • Email address (for booking notifications and shop communications)
  • Physical address (required for location-based features)


Step 3: Set Up Your Shop URL


Shop Slug:

  • Create a custom URL for your shop (e.g., apprentice.io/shops/your-shop-name)
  • Use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only
  • Choose something memorable and easy to share
  • This cannot be changed later, so choose carefully


Example:

  • Shop Name: "Black Anchor Tattoo"
  • Shop Slug: black-anchor-tattoo
  • Public URL: apprentice.io/shops/black-anchor-tattoo


Step 4: Add Shop Branding (Optional)


Shop Logo:

  1. Click Upload Logo
  2. Choose an image file (JPEG, PNG, or SVG)
  3. Maximum file size: 5MB
  4. Recommended dimensions: 400x400px or larger


Shop Colors & Theme:

  • Choose a theme (Light or Dark)
  • Select your primary brand color
  • Choose a font family
  • These settings will apply to your public shop page


Note: You can customize branding further after initial setup in Shop Settings → Branding


Step 5: Choose Your Subscription Plan


Select a plan that fits your team size:


  • Starter Plan: Up to 5 artists, ideal for small studios
  • Professional Plan: Up to 15 artists, advanced features
  • Enterprise Plan: Unlimited artists, priority support


See Understanding Shop Subscription Plans for detailed plan comparisons


Trial Period:

  • All new shops get a 14-day free trial
  • No credit card required to start the trial
  • You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel anytime


Step 6: Enter Payment Information


  1. Enter your credit card details
  2. Review the subscription summary
  3. Select billing cycle (monthly or yearly - save 20% with annual billing)
  4. Click Start Free Trial or Create Shop


Note: You won't be charged until after your trial period ends


Step 7: Complete Shop Setup


After clicking Create:

  1. Your shop profile is created instantly
  2. You'll be redirected to your shop dashboard
  3. A confirmation email is sent to your email address
  4. You're now the shop owner/admin


Step 8: Configure Initial Settings


On your first login, complete these essential setup tasks:


  1. Set Operating Hours: Define when your shop is open
  2. Configure Booking Settings: Set default appointment durations and buffer times
  3. Set Up Notification Preferences: Choose how you want to receive alerts
  4. Add Payment Methods: Configure Stripe Connect for deposits (optional)


Tips


  • Complete Your Profile: A complete shop profile with logo and description attracts more clients
  • Use Professional Photos: Your shop logo should be high-quality and represent your brand
  • SEO-Friendly Slug: Choose a shop slug that includes relevant keywords (e.g., "miami-ink-tattoo" vs "shop123")
  • Start with Accurate Info: Make sure your phone number and address are correct - clients will use these to contact you
  • Explore the Dashboard: Take a tour of the shop dashboard to familiarize yourself with available features
  • Invite Your Team First: Before promoting your shop, invite your artists so clients can see your full roster


Common Issues


  • Issue: Shop slug already taken → Solution: Choose a more specific slug (add your city, style, or a modifier like "-studio" or "-collective")
  • Issue: Logo won't upload → Solution: Check file size (must be under 5MB) and format (JPEG, PNG, SVG only). Try compressing the image.
  • Issue: Can't find "Create Shop" option → Solution: Make sure you're logged into an artist or admin account. Some account types may need to contact support to create shops.
  • Issue: Payment declined → Solution: Verify your card details are correct. Try a different payment method or contact your bank.
  • Issue: Not receiving confirmation email → Solution: Check your spam folder. Add support@apprentice.io to your contacts and request a new confirmation email.


What Happens Next?


After creating your shop:


  1. Invite Artists: Add your team members to the shop roster
  2. Set Up Reception Board: Configure your front desk workflow
  3. Create Consent Templates: Set up shop-wide consent and preparation forms
  4. Customize Your Public Page: Make your shop profile attractive to potential clients
  5. Promote Your Shop: Share your public shop URL on social media and your website


Updated on: 19/01/2026

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