Setting Up Stripe Connect

Comprehensive guide to enabling automated deposit collection and in-person card payments through Stripe Connect.

Overview

Stripe Connect allows you to accept credit and debit card payments directly through Apprentice. Once set up, you can collect deposits automatically when clients complete their preparation forms, or capture card payments in-person when clients are in your studio. This guide walks you through the complete setup process step-by-step.

What You'll Need

Before starting, make sure you have:

• Your business information - Legal business name (or personal name if sole proprietor)
• Tax identification - Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Bank account details - Routing and account numbers where you want funds deposited
• Personal information - Date of birth, home address, phone number
• Email address - Where you'll receive payment notifications
• 10-15 minutes - To complete the setup process

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Step 1: Access Payment Settings

1. Log into your Apprentice dashboard
2. Click your profile icon in the top right corner
3. Select "Settings"
4. Navigate to the "Payments" section in the left sidebar
5. Look for the "Stripe Connect" card

Note: If you're part of a shop, you may see a notification that your shop admin needs to enable this feature. Contact your shop owner if needed.

Step 2: Start Stripe Connect Onboarding

1. Click the "Set Up Payments" button
2. Apprentice will create a Stripe Express account for you
3. You'll be redirected to Stripe's secure onboarding flow
4. Click "Get Started" to begin

What happens here: Apprentice creates a Stripe Express account connected to your profile. This ensures payments go directly to you while keeping setup simple.

Step 3: Provide Business Information

Business Type Selection

Choose the option that matches your situation:

• Individual - You're a sole proprietor operating under your own name
• Company - You have a registered business (LLC, Corporation, etc.)

Most tattoo artists select "Individual" unless they've formally registered a business entity.

Basic Business Details

Enter the following information:

• Business name - Your professional name or legal business name
• Business website (optional) - Your portfolio site or social media
• Business description - Example: "Professional tattoo artist specializing in [your styles]"
• Industry - Select "Personal Care Services" or "Beauty & Personal Care"
• Phone number - Your business contact number

Tip: Keep this information consistent with how you present yourself professionally. Stripe may verify these details.

Step 4: Provide Personal Information

For identity verification and tax reporting, you'll need to provide:

Personal Details

• Full legal name - Exactly as it appears on your ID
• Date of birth - For identity verification
• Home address - Your current residential address
• Social Security Number (SSN) - Required for tax reporting (all digits)

Why Stripe needs this: Federal regulations require payment processors to verify the identity of anyone receiving funds. Your information is encrypted and protected.

Tax Information

• Individual: Provide your SSN or ITIN
• Company: Provide your EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Note: If you're a sole proprietor without an EIN, use your SSN. You'll receive a 1099-K form at tax time if you process over $20,000 and 200 transactions annually.

Step 5: Add Bank Account Details

This is where Stripe will deposit your earnings:

1. Select "Bank Account" as your payout method
2. Enter your routing number (9 digits, found on your checks)
3. Enter your account number (found on your checks or online banking)
4. Confirm the account ownership

Important: Double-check these numbers! Incorrect bank details will delay your payouts. Use a checking or savings account in your name (or business name).

How payouts work:

• Stripe transfers funds to your bank account automatically
• Standard payouts take 2-3 business days
• You can view your payout schedule in the Stripe Dashboard

Step 6: Verify Your Information

Stripe will display a summary of everything you've entered:

1. Review all information carefully - Check for typos or errors
2. Make any necessary corrections - Click "Edit" next to any section
3. Agree to Stripe's Terms of Service
4. Click "Submit"

What happens next: Stripe will verify your information, which usually happens instantly. In some cases, they may need additional documentation.

Step 7: Complete Identity Verification (If Required)

Sometimes Stripe needs additional verification. If prompted:

1. Upload a photo of your government-issued ID

• Driver's license, passport, or state ID
• Make sure the photo is clear and all text is readable
• File should be under 10MB

2. Upload proof of address (if requested)

• Recent utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement
• Must show your name and address
• Must be dated within the last 6 months

3. Provide additional business documentation (if applicable)

• Business license or registration
• EIN confirmation letter
• Articles of incorporation (for companies)

Timeline: Document verification typically takes 1-2 business days. Stripe will email you with updates.

Step 8: Return to Apprentice

After completing the Stripe onboarding:

1. Stripe will redirect you back to Apprentice automatically
2. Your payment settings page will now show "Payments Enabled"
3. You'll see a green checkmark confirming setup is complete
4. You can now access your Stripe Dashboard link

Confirmation: You should receive an email from Stripe confirming your account is active.

Understanding Your Stripe Dashboard

After setup, you have access to the Stripe Express Dashboard:

What You Can Do:

• View payments - See all deposits and transactions
• Check payouts - Track money being transferred to your bank
• Update bank account - Change where funds are deposited
• View tax documents - Download 1099-K forms
• Manage disputes - Handle any payment disputes
• Update business info - Change address, phone, etc.

How to Access:

1. Go to Settings → Payments in Apprentice
2. Click "View Stripe Dashboard"
3. Or visit the Stripe Express login directly

Fee Structure

Understanding the fees helps you price deposits appropriately:

How Fees Work

When a client pays a deposit, they pay the total including fees. You receive the exact deposit amount in your Stripe account.

Example: $50 deposit

• Client pays: $52.84
• You receive: $50.00
• Platform fee (2%): $1.00
• Stripe processing fee: $1.84

Fee Breakdown:

• Platform fee: 2% of deposit amount (goes to Apprentice)
• Stripe processing fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (goes to Stripe)

Important: The client pays all fees, so your deposit amount remains intact. This is built into the payment flow automatically.

Testing Your Setup

Before sending it to clients, test your payment setup:

1. Create a test prep request for yourself or a friend
2. Go through the deposit payment flow as if you were a client
3. Check that the payment appears in your Stripe Dashboard
4. Verify the payout schedule in Stripe

Using Stripe Test Mode: During development or initial setup, use these test card numbers:

• Success: 4242 4242 4242 4242
• Requires authentication: 4000 0025 0000 3155
• Use any future expiration date and any CVC

Note: Test mode payments don't involve real money and won't hit your bank account.

Shop vs Solo Artist Setup

If You're Part of a Shop:

• Your shop admin may handle Stripe Connect setup at the shop level
• Check with your shop owner before setting up individually
• Shop-level Connect allows centralized payout management
• Individual setup gives you direct control over your earnings

If You're a Solo Artist:

• Set up Stripe Connect on your own artist profile
• You have full control over your account and payouts
• All deposits come directly to your bank account
• You manage your own tax reporting

Maintaining Your Account

Keep Information Current:

• Update your bank account if you change banks
• Update your address if you move
• Renew verification documents if they expire
• Monitor your email for Stripe notifications

Regular Checks:

• Review payouts weekly to ensure they're processing correctly
• Check for any holds or issues in your Stripe Dashboard
• Verify deposits against your Apprentice project records
• Keep track of annual payment volume for tax purposes

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"Your account requires additional information"

Solution:

• Check your email for a message from Stripe
• Log into your Stripe Dashboard to see what's needed
• Click "Complete Onboarding" in Apprentice payment settings
• Provide the requested information or documentation

"Payments are restricted"

Solution:

• Check Stripe Dashboard for the reason
• Common causes: address verification, identity verification, or suspicious activity
• Contact Stripe support through the dashboard
• Provide any requested documentation promptly

"Payouts are disabled"

Solution:

• Verify your bank account details are correct
• Check if Stripe needs additional verification
• Ensure your account is fully activated
• Wait 2-3 business days after setup for the first payout capability

"I can't find my routing number"

Solution:

• Look at the bottom of your checks (first 9 digits)
• Log into your online banking and look for "Account Details"
• Call your bank and ask for your routing and account numbers
• Many banks list routing numbers on their website

"My account was flagged for review"

Solution:

• This is sometimes a standard security check
• Stripe will email you with next steps
• Respond promptly with any requested information
• Reviews typically complete within 1-3 business days

"Client says they can't see the payment option"

Solution:

• Confirm your Stripe Connect shows as "Enabled" in settings
• Check that the client has reached the deposit step in their prep forms
• Verify the prep request has a deposit amount set
• If part of a shop, confirm shop-level Connect is enabled

Security & Privacy

Your Data is Protected:

• Encryption: All sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest
• PCI Compliance: Stripe handles all card data securely
• No card storage: Apprentice never stores card numbers
• Secure authentication: Stripe uses bank-level security

Best Practices:

• Never share your Stripe login credentials
• Use a strong, unique password for your Stripe account
• Enable two-factor authentication in Stripe settings
• Review your account regularly for unauthorized activity
• Keep your email secure since it receives payment notifications

Getting Help

Stripe Support:

• In Dashboard: Click "Help" in the Stripe Dashboard
• Email: support@stripe.com
• Phone: 1-888-926-2289 (available 24/7)
• Documentation: stripe.com/docs

Apprentice Support:

• In-App: Click "Help" in your dashboard
• Email: support@apprentice.app
• For account-specific issues: Include your artist ID

Tips for Success

• Complete setup early - Don't wait until you have a client ready to book
• Test the flow - Go through a test payment to see what clients experience
• Keep banking info current - Update immediately if you change banks
• Monitor your email - Stripe sends important notifications
• Check payouts weekly - Ensure everything is processing correctly
• Update verification documents - Before they expire to avoid interruptions
• Communicate with clients - Let them know automated payments are available
• Set clear deposit amounts - Make sure your deposit requirements are configured

What's Next?

Once Stripe Connect is set up, you can:

1. Enable automated deposit collection - Clients pay when they complete prep forms
2. Use in-person card capture - Process cards directly in the app
3. View your earnings - Track all payments in one place
4. Generate tax reports - Download 1099-K forms from Stripe

Updated on: 16/01/2026