Question 1

How does the booking wizard work?

Accepted Answer

You answer six short steps: house rules and health declaration, color preference, size (Thumb / Fist / Palm / Hand range), body placement, optional reference uploads, and a summary review. Submit, and your artist receives the request in their dashboard.

Question 2

How long does a tattoo take to heal?

Accepted Answer

Three timelines run parallel:
1. Superficial healing (the tattoo looks normal): 2–4 weeks
2. Full stabilization (the tattoo has set in, color is stable): 4–6 weeks
3. Deep healing: up to 3 months

This is no medial advice. Allows follow the specific instructions of your artists.

Question 3

Why should I list my work on TattooPointer?

Accepted Answer

You get a structured booking inbox, a digital health consent system that's compliant in BE/NL/FR, a built-in messaging tool, and a public portfolio with SEO baked in. It replaces the patchwork of Instagram DMs, Google Forms, and paper consent slips that most artists run today. In-platform deposit collection (Bancontact / iDEAL / Carte Bancaire) is on the roadmap; until it ships, deposits are arranged directly between you and the client.

Question 4

What is TattooPointer?

Accepted Answer

TattooPointer is a tattoo discovery and booking platform built for clients and artists in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. You can browse verified artists by style, theme, body location, or city, request a session through a guided wizard, sign your health consent digitally, and message your artist throughout the process. Deposits are currently arranged directly between client and artist; in-platform deposit collection (Bancontact, iDEAL, Carte Bancaire) is on the roadmap.

Question 5

What payment methods can I use as a client?

Accepted Answer

For session deposits: TattooPointer doesn't currently process deposit payments. Deposits are arranged directly with your artist, usually by bank transfer or in-studio on the day. In-platform deposit collection (Bancontact in BE, iDEAL in NL, Carte Bancaire in FR) is on the roadmap.

For shop purchases (gift items, aftercare kits, etc.): Stripe Checkout accepts major cards.

Question 6

Why don't you take PayPal / crypto / bank transfer for shop?

Accepted Answer

Cards via Stripe Checkout cover the vast majority of EU shoppers, settle within minutes, and carry lower chargeback risk than wallet flows. Adding more methods means more friction at the moment you most need to pay quickly. We may revisit if a market shifts.

Question 7

What should I do in the first 24 hours?

Accepted Answer

Keep the bandage or second skin on for as long as your artist recommends — typically a few hours for a regular bandage, or several days for a second skin film. When you remove it, wash gently with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap, pat dry with a clean paper towel (not a bath towel — they harbor bacteria), and apply a thin layer of the aftercare product your artist suggested.

Question 8

What happens after I submit a booking request?

Accepted Answer

Your artist will respond in one of four ways:
1. Propose up to three date - you pick the one that works.
2. Counter-propose - they suggest different dates if noen of theirs fit.
3. Decline - with a reason, so you know whether to try again.
4. No response within 7 days- the request expiers automatically.

Question 9

What do the subscription tiers include?

Accepted Answer

Three tiers:

- Free — public profile, portfolio, incoming session requests. Reading replies in chat is gated.
- Basic — full chat access, flash designs, wannadoos.
- Pro — everything in Basic, plus priority support, advanced analytics, ranking boost in search, custom branding (color, banner), Instagram auto-import, and multi-location support.

In-platform deposit collection will be added to the relevant paid tiers when it launches. See the pricingpage for current monthly rates per market.

Question 10

Who is TattooPointer for?

Accepted Answer

Three audiences:

- Clients looking for the right artist for a specific style, idea, or piece.
- Tattoo artists who want a portfolio, a booking inbox, and a roof over their administrative work (in-platform deposit collection coming soon).
- Studios that need to manage a roster, route bookings, and stay compliant with local health consent rules.

Question 11

How do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Today, two streams:

- Subscription billing (you paying us) is handled by Stripe.
- Session payments and deposits (clients paying you) are arranged directly between you and the client — bank transfer, in-studio terminal, cash, however you already do it.

When in-platform deposit collection ships, deposits will route through a Stripe-Connect-style payout to your account, with a configured commission. We'll publish the rate well in advance.

Question 12

Why do tattoo artists ask for a deposit?

Accepted Answer

Deposits protect both sides. They lock in the time slot, cover the design work the artist has already done, and filter out flaky requests so the artist can give serious clients their full attention. Without a deposit, no-shows would push prices up for everyone.

Question 13

How often should I wash and moisturise?

Accepted Answer

Wash 2–3 times a day for the first week. Moisturise in a thin layer 2–3 times a day, only when the skin feels dry. Over-moisturising suffocates the tattoo and slows healing — more is not better.

Question 14

Is my card data stored on TattooPointer?

Accepted Answer

No. Card data for shop and subscription payments is handled by Stripe — we never see the raw card numbers, only tokenised references and payment status updates from their webhooks. Deposits don't go through us at all today; they're between you and the artist.

Question 15

Which countries does TattooPointer cover?

Accepted Answer

The platform itself is on the open internet — anyone in the world can browse, list, and book.

What's deeply localised today is the Belgium · Netherlands · France experience: trilingual content (NL, FR, EN), VAT calculation per market, age-of-consent rules, market-specific health consent disclosures, and the planned local payment methods (Bancontact, iDEAL, Carte Bancaire). The site runs in three languages — Dutch, French, English — so artists and clients outside BE/NL/FR are very welcome to use it; they'll just see the EN interface and need to handle local compliance (taxes, age rules, consent paperwork) themselves.

Adding more deeply-localised markets is on the long-term roadmap.

Question 16

Do I need a company registration?

Accepted Answer

In all three markets, yes — to operate as a tattoo artist accepting paid work you need either a business registration or sole-trader status (BE: BCE/KBO; NL: KvK; FR: SIRET). Add your company number and VAT in Settings → Business Info. (This is a legal requirement for the work itself, not a TattooPointer rule.)

Question 17

Is TattooPointer free for clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Browsing artists, sending booking requests, and managing your sessions are free. You only pay your artist's deposit and final session price.

Question 18

Which products should I use?

Accepted Answer

- Cleanser: fragrance-free, dye-free liquid soap.
- Moisturiser: tattoo-specific balm, or a fragrance-free lotion containing shea butter, jojoba oil, or aloe vera.

Question 19

How do I pay the deposit?

Accepted Answer

You pay your deposit directly to the artist - TattooPointer doesn't currently process deposit payments. Most artists arrange it after they accept your request, typically by bank transfer or in-studio on the day. The artist will tell you their preferred method through the in-app chat once they've confirmed your booking.

In-platform deposit collection — Bancontact in Belgium, iDEAL in the Netherlands, Carte Bancaire in France — is on the roadmap. Until it ships, treat the deposit step as a private agreement between you and the artist, and keep proof of any transfer.

Question 20

How does VAT work?

Accepted Answer

VAT is calculated automatically based on your delivery market:

- 21% in Belgium and the Netherlands
- 20% in France

Receipts and invoices break it out clearly. If you're a VAT-registered business, you can add your VAT number in your profile to receive zero-rated invoices where applicable.

Question 21

Is the deposit refundable?

Accepted Answer

Refund policy is set per artist and agreed between the two of you before you pay. As a general rule across the industry: deposits are non-refundable but transferable to a rescheduled date if you give enough notice. If you no-show or cancel last-minute, the deposit is typically forfeited. Always confirm the artist's specific terms in writing (chat) before paying.

Question 22

Where do I find my receipts?

Accepted Answer

In your dashboard under Order History (for shop purchases). Email receipts go out automatically — search your inbox for "TattooPointer". Deposit receipts come from your artist (or their studio's accounting system), since they handle that payment outside the platform.

Question 23

What should I avoid while healing?

Accepted Answer

- Direct sun and tanning beds (they fade fresh ink fast)
- Pools, hot tubs, baths, the sea — quick showers only
- Tight clothing rubbing on the area
- Picking, scratching, or peeling — pulls out ink and causes scarring
- Heavy gym sessions for 48–72 hours
- Shaving the tattooed area until fully healed

Question 24

What happens if a client no-shows?

Accepted Answer

Your deposit policy is yours to set and enforce. Since deposits are currently outside the platform, refunds (or non-refunds) happen however you originally took payment. You can decline future requests from a client through the standard decline flow inside TattooPointer.

Question 25

Do I need an account to book?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With an account, we can link your session, your health declaration, your payment receipt, and your messages all in one place. Signing up takes less than a minute—just enter your email address and password, then follow the verification link. Two-factor authentication is available and recommended.

Question 26

How is TattooPointer different from Instagram or Google?

Accepted Answer

Instagram is great for inspiration but bad for logistics: you DM, you screenshot, you forget, you no-show. Google shows you studios but rarely the right artist. TattooPointer is purpose-built around the booking lifecycle: structured requests, proposed dates, deposit tracking, digital consent, multi-session timelines, and a chat that doesn't disappear into a sea of stories.

Question 27

I see a charge I don't recognise. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

Check your dashboard first; the charge will be linked to a specific session or order. If you genuinely don't recognise it, contact support before disputing with your bank — we can issue a refund directly faster than a chargeback can resolve.

Question 28

My tattoo is itchy and peeling. Is that normal?

Accepted Answer

Yes — peeling and mild itching usually start around day 4–7. Don't scratch. Don't peel flakes off. Slap, don't scratch, if you really need relief, and keep up the moisturiser.

Question 29

What about flash designs and wannadoos?

Accepted Answer

Both are first-class objects:

- Flash: pre-drawn pieces with fixed price, size, style, and availability. Clients can book directly from a flash.
- Wannadoos: design concepts you want to ink. Clients can request them like a flash, but with a custom-fit conversation.

Question 30

Does the deposit count toward the final price?

Accepted Answer

Yes — almost always. The deposit is deducted from the final session price on the day of your appointment. You only pay the difference. This can vary according the artist.

Question 31

What is the digital consent form?

Accepted Answer

Tattooing requires a signed health consent. We collect it digitally before your appointment: you confirm your age, declare any relevant health conditions (skin issues, blood thinners, pregnancy, recent surgeries), and acknowledge the risks. The form is generated as a PDF, signed in-app, and stored securely. In the Netherlands, signed consent must legally be kept on file by the studio for 10 years — we handle that for you.

Question 32

Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

- Deposits: refundability is set by your artist and the refund itself comes back through whatever channel you originally paid (bank transfer, in-studio reversal). Most policies forbid refunds on no-shows but allow rescheduling. Talk to the artist directly.
- Shop orders: covered by EU consumer law — 14-day return window for unused items. Open a return from your order history.

Question 33

Can I follow my favorite artists?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Follow any artist to see their new flash, wannadoos, and wall posts in your personal feed. You can also save individual posts for later.

Question 34

My tattoo is red and warm. Is that infection?

Accepted Answer

Some redness in the first 48 hours is normal. Concerning signs are: spreading redness, increasing pain after day 3, yellow/green pus, fever, or red streaks moving away from the tattoo. If any of those appear, see a doctor — not a tattoo artist.

Question 35

How do health consent forms work?

Accepted Answer

The platform generates a digital consent form per session, customised for the client's market (BE/NL/FR). The client signs in-app, you review and counter-sign, and the signed PDF is stored. In the Netherlands, signed consent must legally be retained for 10 years — we handle that automatically.

Question 36

Can I work out?

Accepted Answer

Light movement is fine after 24 hours. Heavy lifting, sweating, and gym equipment that rubs against the area should wait 3–7 days depending on placement. A tattoo on the ribs or thigh recovers slower than one on the forearm.

Question 37

Can I work for a studio and have my own profile?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Studios manage their roster from the studio dashboard; an artist can be listed under one or more studios while keeping a personal profile. Studio owners see all sessions across their roster and route bookings to the right artist.

Question 38

What is the minimum age?

Accepted Answer

- Belgium: 16 with a parent present and consenting; 18 without parental consent.
- Netherlands: 16 (under 16 requires a parent or guardian to sign).
- France: 18 generally; under 18 requires parental consent.

Artists can also set their own stricter minimums. Always check the artist's profile.

Question 39

What's a "wanna do"?

Accepted Answer

A "wanna do" is a design concept an artist wants to ink — a piece they've drawn but not yet placed on a body. If you see one you love, you can request it directly. It's the opposite of a custom commission: the artist proposes, the client picks.

Question 40

How do gift cards work?

Accepted Answer

Gift cards are in active development. When live, you'll be able to buy a card for any amount, send it by email with a custom message, and the recipient will redeem it at checkout against shop purchases (and deposits, once in-platform deposit collection ships).

Question 41

How do I show up in search?

Accepted Answer

A complete profile, a styled portfolio, locale-specific bios in NL/FR/EN, accurate style and theme tags, and a city. Pro accounts get a paid ranking boost. The platform pre-renders city landing pages, so a strong presence in your city helps both you and the local TP page.

Question 42

Can I reschedule?

Accepted Answer

Yes — message your artist directly through the in-app chat. They can propose new dates from the session screen. Your deposit usually carries over, subject to their policy.

Question 43

When can I swim again?

Accepted Answer

Not until the tattoo is fully closed and no longer flaky — typically 2–3 weeks for surface healing. Open water (sea, lakes) is the last thing to reintroduce; chlorine and salt both irritate fresh skin.

Question 44

What's a "flash"?

Accepted Answer

A flash is a pre-drawn design with a fixed price and size, ready to be tattooed as-is or with minor placement tweaks. Flash days are a fast, lower-cost way to get a great piece without a long custom design process.

Question 45

Are subscription prices in EUR?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All artist and studio subscription pricing is in euros, charged monthly, with VAT applied per the artist's billing country.

Question 46

How do I get help?

Accepted Answer

Use the contact form at the contactpage for general questions. Pro-tier subscribers (artists and studios) have access to a priority support dashboard with ticketed responses.

Question 47

How do I protect my tattoo long term?

Accepted Answer

Sunscreen. Always. SPF 50, every time the tattoo is exposed. UV breaks down ink pigment faster than any other factor. Keep skin moisturised year-round and your tattoo will look sharp for decades.

Question 48

What if I'm late?

Accepted Answer

Most studios reschedule appointments if you arrive more than 15 minutes late, and the deposit is forfeited. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early to fill out any last paperwork and settle your nerves.

Question 49

What about bigger pieces over multiple sittings?

Accepted Answer

The session model supports multi-appointment timelines. One parent session contains multiple sub-sessions, each with its own date, deposit (if applicable), and consent step. Your dashboard shows the full timeline at a glance.

Question 50

When can I get a touch-up?

Accepted Answer

Wait until the tattoo is fully healed — 6 to 8 weeks minimum. Most artists offer a free touch-up in the first 3–6 months for areas that didn't take the ink as expected (fingers, hands, and feet are common touch-up spots).

Question 51

Can I bring a friend?

Accepted Answer

That's the artist's call. Many studios limit guests because the workspace is small and sterile. Ask in chat before the day.

Question 52

What about multi-session pieces?

Accepted Answer

Larger pieces are split into multiple sittings. The platform tracks each appointment as a sub-session under one parent booking, so you (and your artist) can see the full timeline — drafted, deposited, in-progress, completed — in one place.

Question 53

What if my artist doesn't respond?

Accepted Answer

Requests expire after 7 days with no response. You'll get a notification, and you're free to send the request to another artist. If a confirmed session goes silent, contact support.