How to make a tattoo portfolio with an appointment booking system

Learn how to build a website that showcases your work and helps you attract more clients.

The tattoo industry is expanding. In the UK alone, the number of tattoo studios has doubled in the past decade, and nearly one third of British adults have at least one tattoo.

This context offers great opportunities for those in the art of tattooing, whether you’re just beginning your apprenticeship or already managing your own studio, but it also presents a significant challenge: how do you stand out in such a competitive field?

In this article, we’ll discuss an essential digital strategy for tattoo studios and independent artists: creating a professional website that works as a digital portfolio and includes an online booking system. We’ll walk you through the process step by step —no technical background needed— and show you the key elements you need to include. Let’s get started!

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What are the benefits of having your own tattoo portfolio?

An online portfolio is a digital gallery to showcase your best work and unique style. It allows potential clients to easily find you, discover your talent, and get in touch. Whether you’re just starting as a tattoo artist or have been in the game for years, it’s an essential tool.

Having an online presence opens the door to new career opportunities. People who are planning to get a tattoo usually do thorough research before deciding who to trust with their skin. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly, since the result is (supposed to be) permanent. If your portfolio shows your artistic skills and conveys professionalism and trust, you’ll increase your chances of being selected.

On top of that, if your portfolio is optimised for search engines, you could appear among the top results when someone searches for “tattoo studio in [your city]” or “tattoo artist near me”.

The first step to building a successful portfolio is to create your own professional website.

How to build a website for your online tattoo portfolio

When it comes to creating a website, there are three essential things you’ll need:

A domain name and extension: this is your website address. In our case, for example, the domain name is one and the extension is .com. No two websites can have the exact same domain, so the first step is to check for available domains. It could be something like your-studio-name.com or your-artist-name.uk. You can even choose a domain with a .tattoo extension! Once you’ve found the right one, you must register it through a domain registrar.
Web hosting service: this is the virtual space where your website and all its files are stored. It ensures your site is always online and accessible from anywhere.
A platform to design and publish your site: this tool lets you create and launch your website, including all its elements: titles, images, pages, galleries, texts, buttons, and more. These days, you don’t need to be a coding or design expert to build your site. There are easy-to-use platforms made for beginners.

At one.com, you can choose from complete packages to set up your online portfolio in just a few steps, no technical skills required. Every plan includes a domain, hosting, personalised email, SSL certificate, and access to the Website Builder, the AI-powered site creator that helps you design your page in just a few clicks. Give it a try for free!

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What should a good tattoo portfolio include?

Once you’ve got the basic elements in place, it’s time for the fun part: bringing your online portfolio to life.

A tattoo portfolio website should include these key sections:

Gallery of your work: show off your best designs along with photos of past tattoos. This is your calling card.
About you: share a short bio, background, and the style(s) you specialise in.
Contact details and location: make it easy for clients to find you or visit your studio.
Social media and helpful content: link your website to your social platforms and write blog posts with useful info for your clients.
Online booking system: let people book consultations or tattoo sessions directly from your site — fast and hassle-free.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these sections.

Gallery of your best work

Your gallery is the visual heart of your digital portfolio. It’s not about uploading every tattoo you’ve ever done; rather, it’s best to carefully select the ones that best reflect your style, technique, and what you’re capable of creating.

Choose a variety of pieces that still feel cohesive. Highlight different types of tattoos you specialise in (fine line, realism, colour, blackwork, etc.) to connect with the kind of clients you want to attract.

You can also include a dedicated section for your available designs, such as flash tattoos, so visitors can get inspired or even book one directly.

Remember: quality over quantity! Your gallery should inspire creativity and build trust.

About you: share your story and your style

An “About Me” section is a great chance for visitors to get to know the person behind the artist. Don’t just talk about how many years you’ve been tattooing. It’s worth sharing your essence: talk about your values, what inspires you, how you got into tattooing, and what you love most about your work.

You can also mention your artistic influences, creative process, or what you aim to express with each design. It’s helpful to clearly state the styles you specialise in (e.g., traditional, realism, minimalist, abstract, illustrative), since this helps attract the right kind of clients.

Be honest and approachable. This section isn’t about impressing people but creating a personal and artistic connection with your visitors.

Contact details and location: make it easy to find you

Your contact information should always be visible and accessible from anywhere on your website. Visitors should be able to reach out without hassle whether it’s to book an appointment, ask a question, or visit your studio.

At the very least, include:

An email address and/or phone number

A simple contact form where visitors can ask for quotes, request more info, or share their tattoo ideas

The physical address of your studio, if you have one

If you run a physical studio, connecting your website to your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is highly recommended. This allows your studio to appear on Google Maps and in local results when someone searches for terms like ‘tattoo studio near me’. It’s a great way to attract local clients organically.

Create your portfolio today and show your talent

Social media and helpful content can expand your digital presence

Besides your website, your social media channels play a key role in building trust, connecting with your community, and increasing your visibility. Make sure to include visible links to your Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, or any other platform where you regularly share content.

Some ideas for what to post:

Reels or videos of your tattooing process
High-quality photos of finished tattoos
Posts featuring available flash designs
Highlight stories with testimonials, promotions, or practical info

We also recommend adding a blog to your site. You can share relevant content for your visitors, whether it’s aftercare tips and tattoo design trends to articles about choosing your first tattoo. This type of content adds value for your audience and, by including the right keywords, also helps improve your Google ranking.

Add an online booking system and make it easy to schedule appointments

Adding an online booking system to your site lets you automate your calendar and offer a smoother experience for your clients. They can book a consultation or a tattoo session directly through your website without needing to message you separately and wait for a reply.

By simplifying the process and reducing friction, you increase the chances of converting casual visitors into real clients.

In the next section, we’ll show you how to set it up.

How to add and set up a tattoo appointment booking system in your portfolio

To add an online booking system to your tattoo portfolio, you only need a website creator that includes this feature, like the one.com Website Builder. You might have to add a separate plugin if you use other platforms. For example, if you use WordPress, you’ll need to install a booking plugin.

The online booking system in our Website Builder offers a complete solution that requires no technical skills: you can add a booking form directly to your website so clients can schedule appointments quickly and easily. Then, you can manage all bookings from a single dashboard, sync your calendar with Google Calendar, and set up automatic confirmation and reminder emails.

No matter which booking tool you use, you’ll need to configure it once it’s activated on your site. Here’s what to keep in mind.

Define your services and pricing

Start by clearly listing your services so clients know exactly what they can book. You might want to categorise them like this:

Tattoo only: for clients who already have a design and just want the tattoo done.
Design + tattoo: for clients who want a custom design and then the tattoo.
Consultations: short meetings to discuss ideas, body placement, or budget before scheduling a full session.
Flash tattoos: quick tattoos based on pre-designed artwork.

Include the estimated duration and price for each service. If you require a deposit to confirm a booking, make sure this is clearly communicated during the reservation process.

Set your availability

Next, add the days and times you’re available for appointments. You can block off times based on your work schedule, days off, or personal preferences. A good booking system will also let you sync your calendar (like Google Calendar) to avoid double bookings or scheduling conflicts.

Set up booking rules

Finally, set the rules for booking appointments:

How much notice do you need before a booking?
Can appointments be cancelled or rescheduled?
Is there a limit to how many bookings you accept per day?

These rules help you stay in control of your schedule and help reduce no-shows.

Create your website with an easy booking system

Boost your tattoo business with a professional portfolio

Having a professional website is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s essential to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. A well-designed digital portfolio lets you highlight your best work, express your style, and make it easy for clients to contact you.

Plus, by integrating an online booking system, you will simplify your daily organisation and provide a smoother, more professional experience for your clients.

With powerful tools like our Website Builder, you can have a complete website, including domain, hosting, gallery, booking system, and more, without having to know how to code. Try it free today!

Get your portfolio ready in no time