Cover-up tattoo consent form: honest limits, laser first and another artist's work
A client booking a cover-up usually wants the old tattoo gone. A cover-up cannot do that. It hides, and how well depends on the old ink and the skin under it. A cover-up consent form says this at the consult, not after the heal.
This exact form is built into SlickChart: send it to your client's phone to sign before their session, and the cover-up aftercare goes home with them.
Say what a cover-up is
My "about this service" box covers both kinds of job: covering an old tattoo with a new design, or reworking one, including another artist's work. The new design is usually darker and larger than the old one and built around it, and your client should plan for 2 or more sessions.
The same box raises laser before anyone else does: very dark ink may need laser fading by a licensed provider first, often 2 to 4 sessions. Your client then checks today's work: full cover-up, blast-over, rework, another artist's work, or laser-faded skin.
About the existing tattoo
A second box is about the old tattoo, and it is the most honest line on the form:
A cover-up can't erase it.
It adds that your artist will say honestly what can be hidden, and that before photos are taken today.
The risks, in plain words
- Parts of the old tattoo showing through, now or later
- Old scar tissue taking ink unevenly or blowing out
- Allergy to ink, even years later (red is most common)
- Raised scars or keloids, mainly in scar-prone skin
- More swelling and a longer heal from heavy saturation
- Extra sessions or touch-ups being needed
- Infection, most often from aftercare problems
- Rare burning or tingling during an MRI scan
The first two are why a cover-up gets its own form. See also my tattoo consent form post.
A health and skin check for old work
Twelve items, three about the old tattoo: scarring in it, a reaction to the old ink, and laser in the last 6 to 8 weeks. The rest cover pregnancy or breastfeeding, immune suppression or chemo, Accutane in the last 6 to 12 months, a sunburn, rash or cut at the site, blood thinners or a bleeding disorder, a heart condition or epilepsy, an allergy to latex, ink or ointment, diabetes, and keloids.
A check starts a conversation, never a diagnosis; what a past reaction means is for their doctor to say.
The acknowledgements
- Your client has shared their health history and what they know about the old tattoo, including laser and past reactions.
- A cover-up is limited by the old tattoo. Some of it may still show, and no result is guaranteed.
- The new design may need to be darker, larger or placed differently than they first pictured.
- Rework of another artist's tattoo is done as is, and your studio is not responsible for the original work.
- They approved the final design and stencil placement, and checked all spelling, names and dates.
- The plan is the sessions written above, 3 to 4 weeks apart, and any laser is booked separately.
- Ink brand, color and lot number are logged so they can be contacted about a recall.
Before photos are required, with social media only by separate release. Your client signs to confirm they are 18 or older with valid photo ID, a copy kept on file, not under the influence, and consenting to this cover-up or rework.
The third line covers the moment your client sees the stencil and realizes the small piece they pictured will not hide what is there.
Aftercare that expects it to look dark
My cover-up guide explains that saturated ink looks darker and more raised while it heals:
- First day: more redness, swelling and oozing than usual. Wrap off at 2 to 5 hours, wash gently with fragrance-free soap, pat dry.
- Days 2 to 4: darker and bolder than it will heal. A very thin layer of ointment for 3 to 4 days, and no tight sleeves or straps.
- Days 5 to 14: thicker flakes, and the old design may seem to show through. Let flakes fall off, because picking can pull out ink.
- Weeks 3 to 6: color softens into its healed tone. Your client sends a photo at 4 to 6 weeks, and you judge it together then, not before.
The call-me list covers spreading redness after day 3, pus, red streaks, fever or lasting bumps: your client sees a doctor, then texts you so you can log the ink batch. Swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing, means calling 911.
Questions to decide for your own practice
- When do you send a client for laser fading before taking the job?
- Will you rework another artist's tattoo, and do you want photos before booking?
- Tattoo licensing and health department rules vary by state and county, so check with your state and local health department. This post is not legal or medical advice.
New clients fill in an intake first; see my tattoo intake form post, or browse the full tattoo artist forms collection.
Use this form with your clients
SlickChart has this exact cover-up consent and aftercare built in for subscribers. The form goes to the client's phone to sign before the session, or they sign on your device at your station, and any contraindication they check is flagged for you. The aftercare lands in the client's own app, styled with your logo, and it all works alongside the Square account you already have. If that would save you paperwork, try SlickChart.
Prefer paper? The printable tattoo artist set, with this cover-up consent, the protocol and the aftercare, is in my Etsy shop, ready to print or edit in free Canva.