TATTOO PAYMENT PROCESSING
Problem: Managing deposits, payments, and commissions across separate tools creates accounting headaches. POS terminals cost $300+ and lock you into high processing fees.
Solution: InkFlow unifies deposits, final payments, and commission splits in one system. Powered by Stripe — 2.9% + $0.30 with zero markup from InkFlow. No hardware needed.
Result: Artists get paid faster. Commission splits are automatic. No separate POS terminal, no extra fees. One 5-artist studio saves $3,600/year in processing fees alone.
2.9%+$0.30
Standard card processing
$0
Platform fee on payments
Auto
Commission calculations
No HW
Works with phone or tablet
InkFlow collects actual payments that lock appointments and improve cash flow. Set flat fees or percentages per service, per artist, or globally.
Spreadsheets, calculators, and late-night emails add up. InkFlow auto-splits commissions per artist after every appointment — no more math.
InkFlow sends payment links via SMS or email after each session. Clients pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card on their phone. Works for balance collection, tips, and retail sales.
Require a deposit at booking to secure appointments — set flat fees or percentages per service, per artist, or globally.
Square holds card details for later charges. InkFlow collects the deposit immediately — your cash flow improves and clients are locked in. Deposits are tracked as liabilities until the service is completed.
Set flat fees or percentages at three levels. Per-service (custom designs 25%, flash $50), per-artist (senior artists 30%, junior 20%), or a global default that applies everywhere.
"48h+ notice = full refund. 24-48h = 50% refund. Under 24h = forfeited." InkFlow enforces your rules automatically. No manual refund requests, no awkward conversations.
$0
Stripe processing fee only — no platform markup
Send a payment link via SMS right after the session.
After a session, send a payment link via SMS or email. Clients pay on their phone — no terminal, no Square reader, no Clover hardware.
The same link handles deposit balance collection, tip addition, and retail product sales (aftercare balms, gift cards). Clients choose what to pay for.
Square's POS terminal starts at $79/month plus transaction fees. InkFlow's payment links cost $0 in platform fees — only Stripe's standard 2.9%+$0.30 per transaction. Explore InkFlow's tattoo POS system features for checkout, tips, and retail sales without hardware costs.
No terminal to buy, no contract to sign, no monthly minimum to meet. Works with any smartphone or tablet. Artists can process payments from anywhere in the studio.
Set different commission rates per artist. InkFlow auto-calculates payouts after each appointment — no more spreadsheet math.
Each artist gets their own rate — senior artists at 60%, junior at 40%, guest artists at 70%. InkFlow calculates and records the split after every appointment.
Vagaro requires manual commission entry or spreadsheet tracking. InkFlow's commission software is built into every transaction — calculated and recorded automatically.
Export per-artist payout summaries by month, quarter, or year. Each report includes total sessions, gross revenue, commission rate, and net payout. Ready for accountant review. Pair commission tracking with tattoo deposit software that locks appointments and secures payment upfront.
Auto-calculated per artist, per appointment
Square is a payment system with basic booking. Stripe requires code. Here's how they compare for tattoo studios.
| Feature | InkFlow | Square | Stripe (alone) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit at booking | ✓ | Card-on-file only | Requires custom code |
| Payment links via SMS | ✓ | ✓ | Requires custom code |
| Auto commission splitting | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Built-in tattoo booking | ✓ | Basic | ✗ |
| Digital waivers included | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No POS hardware needed | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Platform markup on fees | $0 | 2.6%+$0.10 | 2.9%+$0.30 |
| Aftercare automation | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Your choice depends on whether you need a standalone processor or an all-in-one studio platform.
Square or Stripe works for basic payment acceptance. But neither handles deposit-based booking, commission splitting, or tattoo waivers — you'll need separate tools for each.
InkFlow auto-calculates commissions per artist after every appointment. Square and Stripe don't. You save hours of spreadsheet time every week.
Only InkFlow combines deposit collection, payment links, and studio management in one system — with zero platform markup on Stripe's processing fees. No terminal rental, no hardware to buy.
Credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay — all processed through Stripe. Deposits, balance collection, tips, and retail sales.
No. You pay only Stripe's standard 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. InkFlow does not add any platform markup.
Yes. Set different commission rates per artist. InkFlow auto-calculates and records splits after every appointment.
No. Send payment links via SMS or email after each session. Clients pay on their phone with Apple Pay or card — no terminal needed.
Free plan includes deposit collection, payment links, and commission tracking.
Sources: InkFlow internal data, 2026. Based on 500+ tattoo studios.