What it is and why it works
Once a year, set aside a day to thank the people who serve: military members and veterans, and first responders such as firefighters, police, and EMTs. Offer a special flash sheet or a set discount you choose, and let them know the day is for them.
Many service members and first responders are already tattoo collectors. Many carry memorial pieces for friends they've lost. A day that says "thank you" in a real way, with no strings, means a lot. It also puts your shop in front of close-knit groups where people trust each other's recommendations.
Keep it simple, keep it respectful, and keep the focus on them.
Who to contact
| Partner | Who to ask for | What they bring |
|---|---|---|
| VFW and American Legion posts | Post commander | A mention at meetings or in their newsletter, if they choose |
| County veterans service office | Veterans service officer | May post community events for veterans |
| Nearby base (if you have one) | Family readiness or morale and recreation office | Ask if they share local business events; follow their rules on what they can post |
| Fire stations | Station captain | Stop by with flyers (and maybe lunch) |
| Police and sheriff's associations | Union or association rep | Share with members, if they choose |
| EMS services and ambulance companies | Supervisor or office manager | A flyer in the break room |
Groups may share your event, but they don't endorse it. Never say "sponsored by" or "endorsed by" a branch, base, or department unless they say so in writing.
What to prepare
- A special flash sheet of original designs your artists drew: flags, eagles, anchors, helmets, crosses, dog tags, simple memorial pieces
- No official seals, emblems, or badges on the sheet or in your posts unless you have permission to use them
- Your offer written in one sentence (for example: "[__]% off any piece that day" or "one set price for the sheet"), and who it's for
- How people show they qualify: a military ID, VA card, DD-214, or department ID. Look at it; don't copy it or photograph it.
- Government photo ID check for age, as always
- Consent and release forms, written aftercare for every client
- A photo consent box, and extra care: some clients can't have their face, name, or unit shown online
- A quiet space for memorial consults
Step by step
- Pick the date six to eight weeks ahead. Veterans Day, Memorial Day week, or a local first-responder day are common choices.
- Set the offer and who it covers. Write it down so the front desk applies it the same way to everyone.
- Draw the flash sheet. Original art only. If a client wants their unit or branch emblem, talk about it one-on-one (see mistakes below).
- Visit the partners in person with a flyer. A short visit works better than an email.
- Announce it three to four weeks out, and send it to your list. See C10.
- Open booking for memorial pieces so those clients get a calm, set time. Walk-ins can take the flash.
- Run the day. Check eligibility by looking at it, check photo ID for age, signed release, the piece, written aftercare.
- Post with care. Only with written OK, and ask before showing faces, names, units, or uniforms.
- Thank the partners and say you'd like to do it again next year.
Scripts
To a post commander or station captain
Hi, I'm [name], owner of [shop name] in [town]. On [date] we're holding a thank-you day for military, veterans and first responders: [your offer]. We'd be grateful if you'd let your members know. Here's a flyer. There's no catch; we just want to say thanks.
Announcement post
THANK YOU DAY at [shop name]
[Date], [hours]. For active duty, veterans, reserve and guard, firefighters, police, and EMS.
[Your offer, in one sentence.]
Special flash sheet drawn by [artist names]. Memorial pieces by appointment: [booking link].
Bring your service or department ID, plus a government photo ID. All clients must be [age]+.
Thank you for your service.
Front desk: checking eligibility
Thanks for coming in. Could I see your service or department ID? I just need to look; we don't copy it. And I'll need a photo ID for the release form too.
For a memorial piece
Thank you for trusting us with this. Take your time. Tell me about them, and what you'd like the piece to say. We'll draw it for you first, and nothing goes on until you're happy with it.
Asking before you post
Would you be OK with us sharing a photo of your tattoo? We can crop out your face, name tape, and anything else you'd rather keep private. It's completely fine to say no.
What it can lead to (and what to charge)
| Follow-on work | Example price (example only) |
|---|---|
| Flash on the day | Example: one set price for the sheet, or [__]% off, the offer you chose |
| Memorial piece booked later | Example: your normal price, maybe with the same thank-you offer if you choose |
| Sleeve or larger service-themed piece | Example: your normal hourly rate and deposit |
| Matching pieces for a crew or unit | Example: your normal small-piece price on a booked day |
These numbers are only examples. Some shops keep a small everyday thank-you offer after the event. That's your call.
Timing
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks before | Date, offer, who qualifies |
| 4 to 6 weeks before | Draw the sheet; visit partners |
| 3 to 4 weeks before | Announce; open memorial bookings |
| The day | Look at IDs, don't copy them; post only with consent |
| The week after | Thank partners; approved photos |
Put it on your yearly calendar with your other events. See C8.
Checklist
- Offer and who qualifies written down
- Original flash sheet, no official seals without permission
- Partners visited with flyers
- Announcement posted; list email sent with unsubscribe
- Memorial bookings open
- Photo ID for age; release forms; aftercare
- Service IDs looked at, never copied
- Photo consent, with faces, names and units hidden if asked
- Partners thanked
Mistakes to avoid
- Using official seals or insignia in your ads. Branch, agency and department emblems are protected. Get permission before you put them on flyers, posts, or your flash sheet.
- Copying or photographing service IDs. Look at the card, hand it back.
- Claiming an endorsement. A post that shares your flyer is not the base or department backing you. Don't say it is.
- Posting faces, names or units without asking. Some clients have real reasons to stay private. Ask every time.
- Skipping the age check. Young service members still need to meet your state's age law with a government photo ID.
- Tattooing anyone who has been drinking, even on a celebration day.
- Giving career advice. Visible-tattoo rules differ by branch and department. The client knows theirs. Ask where the piece will show, and let them decide.
Keeping the thank-you real
- Make it yearly and keep the offer the same, so people can count on it.
- Show up. Bring lunch to the fire station after the event to say thanks.
- Keep memorial clients close. Check in when their piece has healed. See C7.
Want Annie's to do this for you? We can make the flyers for posts and stations, write the announcement and list email, set up memorial booking, and post approved pieces with faces and names kept private.