How to Create Digital Tattoo Consent Forms: The Complete Guide

If you’re still using paper consent forms in 2026, you’re making your life harder than it needs to be. Paper forms get lost, damaged, and are nearly impossible to search through when you need them. Digital forms are easier for clients, easier for you, legally stronger, and cost almost nothing to implement.

I switched from paper to digital three years ago and haven’t looked back. Here’s exactly how to set up digital consent forms for your tattoo studio, including the actual content your form should contain.

Why Digital Beats Paper (Every Time)

There’s no argument for paper. Zero.

Step 1: Choose Your Tool

If You Use Tattoo Shop Management Software

Check your existing platform first — consent forms are likely built in:

Porter ($79-249/mo): Fully integrated digital consent forms. Customizable, sent automatically with booking confirmation, stored in client profile.

TattooPro.io ($29-89/mo): Digital consent forms on all plans. Integrated with booking flow.

Tattoo Studio Pro ($99-149/mo): Consent forms on Professional and Enterprise plans.

If consent forms are built into your booking software, use them. Integration > standalone tools.

Standalone Options

WaiverForever (Free): Unlimited waivers, custom form builder, electronic signatures, cloud storage. Best free standalone option.

Jotform (Free for 100 submissions/month): Most customizable form builder. Drag-and-drop fields, conditional logic, PDF generation.

WaiverSign ($20/mo): Upload your existing PDF form, clients sign digitally. Simplest if you already have a form you like.

Step 2: Build Your Form Content

Here’s a complete template you can use. Customize for your state’s requirements and have an attorney review before going live.

Section 1: Studio Information

[YOUR STUDIO NAME]
[Address]
[Phone] | [Website]
Tattoo License #: [Number]

Section 2: Client Information

• Full legal name (text field)
• Date of birth (date field — auto-calculate age for 18+ verification)
• Address (text field)
• Phone number (phone field)
• Email address (email field)
• Emergency contact name and phone (text fields)
• Government ID type and number (text field)

Section 3: Medical History

Use checkboxes for common conditions:

Please check all that apply: □ Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis) □ Allergies to latex, adhesive, or metals □ Allergies to inks or dyes □ Currently taking blood-thinning medications (aspirin, warfarin, etc.) □ Currently taking Accutane or other retinoids □ Diabetes □ Hemophilia or bleeding disorders □ Heart conditions □ Epilepsy or seizure disorders □ Hepatitis or HIV □ History of fainting or vasovagal episodes □ Autoimmune disorders □ Currently pregnant or breastfeeding □ Under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Additional text field: “Please describe any other medical conditions, allergies, or medications we should be aware of:“

Section 4: Risk Acknowledgment

Present the following as a statement the client must read and acknowledge:

I acknowledge and understand that:

1. Tattooing involves the insertion of pigment into the skin using needles, which carries inherent risks including but not limited to: infection, allergic reaction to pigments or materials, scarring, keloid formation, and granuloma formation.

2. Tattoos are permanent. While removal procedures exist, they are expensive, painful, and may not completely remove the tattoo.

3. Color and appearance of tattoos may change over time due to sun exposure, aging, and the healing process.

4. I have been given the opportunity to ask questions about the procedure and my questions have been answered to my satisfaction.

5. I am not under the influence of alcohol or drugs that impair my judgment.

6. I have disclosed all medical conditions, allergies, and medications that may affect the procedure or healing.

Section 5: Aftercare Agreement

I acknowledge that I have received aftercare instructions and understand that:

1. Proper aftercare is my responsibility and is essential for proper healing.

2. Failure to follow aftercare instructions may result in infection, poor healing, or degradation of the tattoo’s appearance.

3. I will seek medical attention if I notice signs of infection (unusual swelling, pus, fever, red streaking).

Section 6: Photo Release (Make Optional)

□ I consent to photographs of my tattoo being taken and used for the studio’s portfolio, website, social media, and promotional materials. I understand these images may be shared publicly.

□ I do NOT consent to photographs being shared publicly.

Making this a separate, optional checkbox is important. Some clients don’t want their tattoo on social media, and that’s their right. Don’t bury this in the general consent — make it clearly optional.

Section 7: Tattoo Details

• Description of tattoo (text field)
• Body placement (text field or body diagram)
• Approximate size (dropdown or text)
• Artist name (auto-filled or dropdown)
• Date of procedure (auto-filled)

Section 8: Liability Release

I voluntarily assume all risks associated with the tattooing procedure described above. I release [STUDIO NAME], its artists, employees, and agents from any and all liability for damages or claims arising from the tattooing procedure, except in cases of gross negligence.

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age (or accompanied by a legal guardian who will also sign this form), that I have read and understood this entire document, and that I have had the opportunity to ask questions.

Section 9: Signature

• Electronic signature field
• Date (auto-filled with current date)
• Timestamp (auto-generated by the platform)

For minors (where legally permitted):

• Minor’s signature
• Guardian’s full legal name
• Guardian’s relationship to minor
• Guardian’s government ID information
• Guardian’s signature
• Guardian must be present during the procedure

Step 3: Set Up the Digital Workflow

For Appointment Clients

1. Client books online through your booking system
2. Consent form link is included in the booking confirmation email
3. Client fills out the form on their phone 24-48 hours before the appointment
4. When they arrive, form is already completed — verify ID and start

For Walk-In Clients

1. Client walks in
2. Hand them an iPad with the form open OR give them a QR code to fill out on their phone
3. They complete the form while browsing flash or waiting (3-5 minutes)
4. Verify ID, review medical disclosures, proceed

QR Code Setup

Create a QR code that links to your consent form:

1. Get your form URL from your platform (WaiverForever, Jotform, or booking software)
2. Generate a QR code at qr-code-generator.com (free)
3. Print and post at reception desk, on aftercare cards, and near the entrance

Step 4: Have an Attorney Review

This is not optional. A $200-500 attorney review ensures your form:

• Meets your state’s specific requirements
• Includes all necessary legal language
• Would hold up in a dispute
• Properly addresses liability

Don’t copy a form from the internet (including this template) without legal review. State requirements vary and an inadequate form provides false security.

Step 5: Implement and Maintain

Go live: Start using digital forms for all new clients immediately. Don’t run paper and digital in parallel — commit to digital.

Existing clients: Have them complete a digital form at their next visit. This updates their records and ensures you have a current, digitally-signed form.

Annual review: Review your form once a year (or when regulations change) to ensure it’s current. Update medical disclosure questions if new relevant conditions or medications emerge.

Storage: Digital forms should be stored indefinitely. Cloud storage makes this essentially free. Never delete client consent forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be included in a tattoo consent form?

Client identification, age verification, medical history, risk acknowledgment, aftercare agreement, photo release (optional), tattoo details, and electronic signature with timestamp.

Are electronic signatures on tattoo consent forms legal?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid in all 50 US states under the ESIGN Act and UETA. Digital forms are actually more legally robust than paper because they include timestamps, IP addresses, and tamper-proof storage.