Tattoo Intake Form Template: What to Ask Every New Client

“I want something on my arm, like nature but also kind of geometric, you know?”

You ask for details. They send a Pinterest board with 40 conflicting images.

You spend 30 minutes on a quote. Never hear back.

A solid intake form cuts this down before it starts. Here’s one that works for most styles.

The Template

Swap out anything in [brackets] with your own details, then paste the rest as is.

Which Fields to Make Required

Make these required: design description, placement, size, and reference images. Those four are the minimum you need to decide whether to take the booking and how to quote it.

The budget field gets skipped most often. Keep it anyway. It saves you quoting a full sleeve to someone with $200.

Reference images matter most. If someone can’t find a single example, that’s usually a sign they can’t articulate what they want yet.

What to Do With Vague Responses

• “Something nature-y, you know?” Don’t try to interpret it. Ask for three specific images: one for subject matter, one for style, one for scale.
• Budget left blank. Follow up directly: “What’s your budget for this piece? That helps me scope the design and give you an accurate estimate.”
• Placement and size both vague. If the design is simple enough to quote at a flat rate regardless, proceed. If not, ask before you invest time in the quote.

Red Flags Worth Knowing

None of these are automatic disqualifiers, but they tend to predict problem bookings:

• No reference images, and resistant when you ask for them
• Budget far below your minimum even after you state it
• Repeated reschedule requests before the booking is even confirmed
• “My last artist messed it up” with no specifics about what went wrong

More Free Templates for Tattoo Artists

• Tattoo Deposit Policy Template
• Tattoo Booking Confirmation Email Template
• Tattoo Cancellation Policy Template
• Tattoo Deposit Request Email Template

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a tattoo intake form ask?

A good intake form asks for contact info, style and placement, approximate size, reference images, budget, timeline, and any health conditions that could affect the tattoo or healing. Reference images and budget are the two most commonly skipped fields that matter most.

How many reference images should I require?

Two to five images is enough for most inquiries. Requiring at least one reference image filters out clients who haven’t thought through what they want, which saves you time on vague quotes.

Should I ask for a client’s budget before booking?

Yes. Asking for budget upfront prevents you from spending time quoting a large custom piece to someone who can’t afford it. If clients resist sharing a number, explain that it helps you scope the design accurately.

Do tattoo intake forms need a health questionnaire?

A short one is worth including. Asking about allergies, skin conditions, and medications that affect healing protects you and shows clients you take the process seriously, even if you don’t use the answers every time.