No-shows are one of the biggest frustrations for tattoo artists. When a client doesn’t turn up for a session you’ve blocked out hours for, you lose income you can’t recover.
The Real Cost of No-Shows
A single no-show on a large piece booking could cost you £200-500 or more in lost revenue. If you’re experiencing just one no-show per week, that’s potentially £10,000-25,000 in lost income per year.
Proven Strategies to Reduce No-Shows
1. Take Deposits
The most effective way to reduce no-shows is requiring a non-refundable deposit. Most studios charge 20-50% of the estimated session cost. This:
- Shows client commitment
- Covers some of your loss if they don’t show
- Filters out time-wasters
2. Send Automated Reminders
Many clients genuinely forget appointments, especially when booking weeks in advance. Automated SMS and email reminders significantly reduce no-shows:
- Send a reminder 48 hours before
- Send a final reminder on the day of the appointment
- Include your cancellation policy in the reminder
3. Have a Clear Cancellation Policy
Make your policy crystal clear from the start:
- How much notice do you require?
- What happens to the deposit if they cancel late?
- Can they reschedule instead of cancelling?
4. Make Rescheduling Easy
Sometimes life happens. If clients can easily reschedule online, they’re more likely to do so rather than just not showing up.
5. Build Relationships
Clients are less likely to ghost an artist they have a relationship with. Take time to connect with your clients beyond just the tattoo.
Using Software to Help
Modern tattoo studio software can automate much of this:
- Automatic deposit collection at booking
- Scheduled reminder messages
- Easy online rescheduling
- Analytics to track no-show patterns
Conclusion
No-shows will never completely disappear, but with the right systems in place, you can dramatically reduce them and protect your income. Start with deposits and reminders - you’ll see results immediately.
