How does payment work on the day of the session?

On the day of your session, you only pay the balance: the difference between the final price of your service and the amount you've already paid upfront. Your artist collects this balance directly at the studio, at the end of the session, using whatever payment methods they accept.

How the balance is calculated

If you paid a sum upfront to confirm your appointment, it's automatically deducted from the final price of your service. You only pay the remaining difference, never the full price a second time. See Why and how do I pay a deposit? to understand how that upfront payment works.

If you didn't pay anything upfront, you pay the full price of the service at the end of the session.

When this payment happens

The balance is generally settled right at the end of the session, once the tattoo is finished. This is also when your artist will walk you through the aftercare instructions to follow.

Which payment methods

This depends entirely on what your artist or studio accepts: card, cash, or other methods depending on the case. If you have a preference or a specific constraint, the simplest thing is to ask your artist ahead of the day what they accept, to avoid any surprise on site.

If the final price differs from the quote

Sometimes the price quoted at the start changes slightly, for example if the project was adjusted in size or detail during the session. If so, your artist will explain the final price before you pay. If you received a quote beforehand, you can refer back to it to compare. See How does the quote work?

Unsure about the amount

If anything about the calculation feels unclear, whether it's the remaining balance or the accepted payment method, ask your artist directly before paying. They're the only one who knows the exact details of your service and their payment policy.