What it is and why it works
Lots of people have a tattoo they don't love anymore. A name they'd rather forget. A faded piece from years ago. Something rushed, or done at a party. Many of them don't know what their options are, and they feel a little embarrassed to ask.
Free cover-up consultations give them a safe, no-cost way to find out. They come in, show you the old piece, and you talk through what could be done: a cover-up, a rework that refreshes the old tattoo, a few laser fading sessions first, or full removal. No pressure, no judgment.
Cover-ups are skilled work, and people search for artists who do them well. A regular consult day shows that your shop is the kind, honest place to bring an old tattoo.
One rule above all: never trash the original artist. You don't know what they were working with, and the client may still like the person. Talk about the skin and the ink in front of you, not who put it there.
Who to contact
| Who | Who to ask for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Your cover-up artists | The artists in your shop who like this work | They run the consults and draw the designs |
| A laser removal provider (if you don't offer it) | Owner or manager | Some cover-ups need fading first; you can send clients back and forth |
| Your own laser tech (if you do offer it) | Your tech | Confirm they are allowed to operate the laser under your state's rules |
| Local community pages and groups | Group admins | A post, only where business posts are allowed |
Rules on who may operate a tattoo removal laser vary by state. Some require a medical license or supervision. Follow your state's rules, and send clients to a qualified provider if you can't meet them.
What to prepare
- A booking form that takes a photo of the old tattoo in daylight, its size, and where it is (see C5)
- A consult sheet: what the client wants, what they want gone, colors they like, colors they don't
- Good light and a way to measure the old tattoo
- A portfolio of your cover-ups and reworks, before and after, shown only with each client's written OK
- A simple sheet that explains the four options: cover-up, rework, fade then cover, removal
- Your deposit rule and how pricing works for cover-ups
- A photo consent box on the consult sheet, for the before photo too
- A private spot for the consult. Some old tattoos are in personal places.
Step by step
- Pick your consult times: one day a month, or a few set hours each week.
- Set up booking that asks for a photo of the old piece. Walk-ins are fine too.
- Look at every photo before the consult so the artist comes in with ideas.
- At the consult, look at the tattoo in good light. Ask what they want gone and what they'd love instead.
- Be honest about options. A cover-up is usually bigger and darker than the old piece. Some pieces need laser fading first. Say so.
- Sketch or describe a direction, then give a price range and how many sessions it might take.
- No pressure. Let them leave and think. Follow up once, a few days later.
- When they book, take a deposit, check a government photo ID, get a signed release, and give written aftercare after each session.
- Post the before and after only with the client's written OK. Never show their face without it.
Scripts
Announcement post
FREE COVER-UP CONSULTS at [shop name]
Got a tattoo you don't love anymore? Bring it in. We'll look at it with you and talk through your options: cover-up, rework, fading first, or removal.
[Day and hours, or "book here: [link]"]. Free. No pressure. No judgment.
Send us a clear daylight photo of the old piece when you book.
Opening the consult
Thanks for coming in. A lot of people are in the same spot, so don't worry. Let's take a look. What do you most want gone, and what would you love to see there instead?
When they blame the old artist
I don't know what they had to work with that day. What matters is what we can do now. Let's talk about that.
Explaining the options
Here's the honest picture. A cover-up usually has to be bigger and a bit darker than what's there now, so the old lines disappear into the new design. Because this one is [dark / heavy / large], a few laser sessions to fade it first might give you more choices. Or we could rework it: keep the parts you like and make it look fresh. Want me to sketch a couple of ideas?
Follow-up message a few days later
Hi [first name], it's [artist] at [shop name]. Thanks again for coming in about your [placement] piece. Just checking if you had any questions. Whenever you're ready, you can book here: [link]. No rush.
What it can lead to (and what to charge)
| Follow-on work | Example price (example only) |
|---|---|
| Consult | Free |
| Cover-up session | Example: your hourly rate, often with more time than a new piece, plus deposit |
| Rework or refresh | Example: your hourly rate or a quoted piece price |
| Laser fading sessions before a cover-up | Example: a per-session price set by the qualified provider |
| Larger piece that grows out of the cover-up | Example: your normal rate; many cover-ups turn into half sleeves |
These numbers are only examples. Cover-ups take more time and skill, so price them fairly. See T1 for your pricing formula.
Timing
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Once a month or weekly | Set consult hours and keep them the same |
| A week before each consult day | Reminder post |
| Early in the year | People often want a fresh start; post about consults |
| Before summer | People notice old tattoos in short sleeves and swimsuits |
| After a breakup season, like after Valentine's Day | Name cover-ups come up; keep the tone light and kind |
See C8 for your full year.
Checklist
- Consult times set and posted
- Booking form takes a daylight photo of the old piece
- Options sheet printed
- Before-and-after portfolio, with written OK for each
- Laser provider lined up, and state laser rules checked
- Deposit rule for cover-ups written down
- ID check, signed release, written aftercare at every session
- One follow-up message after each consult
Mistakes to avoid
- Trashing the original artist. Never do it, in the consult or online. It makes the client feel worse, and it makes you look small.
- Promising it will vanish. Say what's likely, not what's guaranteed. Some old ink shows through, and some pieces need fading first.
- Pushing a booking at the consult. "Free, no pressure" has to be true.
- Posting before-and-after photos without a yes. Get written OK for both photos. Never show a face or an old name without it.
- Running a laser without the right license. Follow your state's rules on who may operate it.
- Covering a spot with a skin problem. If the skin looks irritated, raised, or unusual, suggest they see a doctor first.
- Copying a design the client brings in. Use it as a reference, then draw something original.
Building a name for cover-ups
- Post healed cover-ups regularly, with OK. See C2.
- Show the process in a short video: stencil over the old piece, then the reveal. See C3.
- Ask every client for a review the same way, not only the happy ones. See C6.
Want Annie's to do this for you? We can build the consult booking form that takes a photo of the old piece, write the posts and follow-up messages, and share approved before-and-afters on your site and social pages.