Built by Artists, Not Corporations: Why Tattoo Shops Are Rethinking Payment Processing

Tattooing isn’t just a business it’s a craft built on time, skill, and physical effort. Every session represents years of experience, trust with clients, and work that can’t be rushed. So why do so many tattoo shops still accept payment systems that quietly take a cut of every dollar they earn?

More studios are starting to ask that question, and the answers are changing how tattoo shops think about getting paid.

The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Payment Processors

Most payment processors were built for retail. They’re designed around low-ticket items, high volume, and automated checkout flows.

Tattoo shops don’t work that way.

Studios deal with:

• High-value services
• Deposits and partial payments
• Tips that go directly to artists
• Walk-ins, flash days, and guest spots
• Mobile setups at conventions

When a retail-based processor is forced into a tattoo environment, the shop ends up absorbing fees, delays, and inefficiencies that were never designed for this industry.

Why Tattoo Shops Feel the Pain More Than Most Businesses

A 3% processing fee doesn’t hurt much on a $5 coffee. It hurts a lot on a $500 tattoo.

For tattoo shops:

• Bigger tickets mean bigger fees
• Busier months cost more to operate
• Growth increases expenses instead of profitability

Over time, processing fees quietly become one of the largest unnecessary expenses in a studio.

Built by Artists, for Artists, and That Matters

Revify was co-founded by Matt Bagwell, tattoo artist and owner of Made To Last Tattoo. This isn’t a platform built by people guessing how tattoo shops operate, it's built by someone who’s lived it.

That perspective matters.

It means Revify was designed around real-world tattoo shop needs:

• Fast access to cash
• Simple tools that don’t interrupt workflow
• Fair payment structures
• Transparency for both artists and clients

Most importantly, it means Revify exists to protect artists not extract from them.

A Different Payment Model for Tattoo Studios

Instead of charging shops processing fees, Revify enables a compliant, transparent pricing model where:

• The tattoo shop pays 0% in processing fees
• The customer covers the processing cost at checkout
• Pricing remains clear and under the shop’s control
• Shops earn monthly rebates based on card volume

Rather than losing money every time a card is tapped, studios receive money back for the volume they already process.

Why Rebates Change Everything

Monthly rebates transform payment processing from an expense into an asset.

For tattoo shops, that means:

• More predictable cash flow
• Extra revenue without raising prices
• Funds that can support artists, equipment, or growth
• Less financial pressure during slower seasons

It’s money that used to go to processors now returned to the studio.

Modern Tools Without the Financial Drag

Revify also removes another common pain point: equipment costs. Shops can claim a free terminal, eliminating upfront expenses and hardware leases. The system supports in-shop use, mobile payments, and tap-to-pay making it ideal for both everyday operations and on-the-go work.

Tattoo Artists Deserve Better Payment Systems

Tattooing already demands long hours, physical strain, and creative focus. Your payment system shouldn’t quietly work against you.

As more studios rethink how they get paid, it’s becoming clear that who builds your payment platform matters, and so does who it’s built for.

Ready to Get Paid Like an Artist, Not a Retailer?

Revify helps tattoo shops eliminate processing expenses, earn monthly rebates, and regain control over their payments all through a system built by artists who understand the grind. If you’re ready to stop losing money to outdated payment processing, it starts with a conversation. Contact Revify today to see how your payments can finally work in your favor.