Handheld
Clover Flex
Take payment at the table, the chair or the curb. Prints receipts and takes tap, chip and swipe.
Card processing for tattoo shops
Tattoo work means deposits, long sessions and large final payments. Many shops still push customers toward cash because card fees on a big piece hurt.
The numbers on this page use a typical tattoo shop sale of $250.
SAVINGS RECEIPT
Example: tattoo shop, $37,500 a month in cards
Their avg. fees$1,070.75
Our fees$802.50
You keep / month$268.25
You keep each year$3,219
Your numbers will differ. Run yours.
What a tattoo shop could keep
Monthly processing cost at three sales levels, using each processor's standard in-person rate.
| Monthly card sales | Square | PayPal | Stripe | Our cost | You keep per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 – $25,000 | $465.50 | $557.55 | $476.00 | $374.50 | $1,502 |
| $25,000 – $50,000 | $997.50 | $1,194.75 | $1,020.00 | $802.50 | $3,219 |
| $50,000 – $100,000 | $1,995.00 | $2,389.50 | $2,040.00 | $1,605.00 | $6,438 |
Each row uses the middle of the sales range. "You keep" is the average of the three processors minus our cost, times 12.
Where the fees come from
Every card sale costs a percentage plus a flat fee. On a typical $250 tattoo shop sale, here's what one payment costs.
- Square$6.65
- PayPal$7.97
- Stripe$6.80
- Credit Card Equipment$5.35
On a sale this size, the percentage is most of the fee, so the rate matters far more than the flat per-sale charge.
Equipment tattoo shops use
A handheld lets artists take payment at the station. The Valor VL550 supports cash discount programs, if you'd rather card customers cover the fee.
Wireless
Valor VL550
An all-in-one wireless terminal with a color touchscreen and printer. Supports cash discount programs.
Questions tattoo shops ask us
Can customers pay a deposit by card?
Yes. Take the deposit on the terminal when the appointment is booked and the balance when the work is done.
What is a cash discount program?
Card customers pay a small service fee and cash customers don't, so you keep close to the full sale either way. Your agent can tell you whether it suits your shop.
Do I need a long-term contract?
No. Our plans are month to month with no early termination fee.
Can I keep my current equipment?
Often, yes. Many terminals can be reprogrammed. If yours can't, we'll set you up with a new one.
Service areas
We work with tattoo shops across the country. Your terminal ships programmed, and your agent sets it up with you by phone.
See what you'd save before you switch.
A side-by-side report against Square, PayPal and Stripe, in about a minute.