Why Tattoo Shops Should Never Pay Credit Card Processing Fees Again

For years, tattoo shops have accepted credit card processing fees as unavoidable. Every swipe, tap, or chip transaction quietly takes a percentage of the shop’s revenue even though the artist already did the work. But today, tattoo studios don’t have to operate that way anymore.

Modern payment structures are changing the rules, allowing tattoo shops to eliminate processing fees entirely without sacrificing transparency or client trust.

How Processing Fees Became “Normal” in Tattoo Shops

Credit card fees were introduced long before tattooing became the professional, high-value service it is today. Processors designed their pricing for retail, not for custom services that take hours of labor and years of expertise.

Over time, shops got used to:

• Losing 3%–5% per transaction
  
  
• Paying monthly and annual fees
  
  
• Buying or leasing terminals
  
  
• Waiting days to access their money
  
  

What was once “standard” is now outdated.

Why High-Ticket Tattoo Services Are Hit the Hardest

Tattoo shops feel processing fees more than most businesses because of transaction size.

A few examples:

• A $500 tattoo can lose $15–$25 instantly
  
  
• A busy studio processing $50,000 per month could lose over $30,000 per year
  
  
• The more successful the shop, the more money it gives away
  
  

Processing fees punish growth, and that doesn’t make sense for a business built on skill and reputation.

A Smarter, Compliant Alternative

Modern payment systems allow tattoo shops to eliminate out-of-pocket processing costs through a transparent, customer-funded model.

This means:

• The shop keeps 100% of its listed price
  
  
• The customer sees a clear total at checkout
  
  
• The transaction remains compliant and ethical
  
  
• The business no longer absorbs the fee
  
  

This approach protects margins without confusing clients or raising base prices.

How Revify Eliminates Processing Fees for Tattoo Shops

Revify enables tattoo studios to stop paying processing fees altogether.

With Revify:

• The shop pays 0% in processing fees
  
  
• Customers cover the processing cost transparently
  
  
• Shops earn monthly rebates based on card volume
  
  
• Pricing control stays with the studio
  
  
• Equipment can be provided at no cost
  
  

Instead of losing money every time a card is used, shops gain a system that rewards the volume they already generate.

What Eliminating Fees Means for Artists

When processing fees disappear, tattoo shops can:

• Pay artists faster
  
  
• Improve cash flow
  
  
• Invest in equipment or marketing
  
  
• Reduce financial stress during slow periods
  
  

It’s not just about saving money, it's about building a healthier business.

Tattoo Shops Deserve Better Than “Standard” Processing

Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the right way. Tattooing has evolved. Your payment system should evolve too.

Ready to Stop Paying Processing Fees?

Revify helps tattoo shops eliminate processing costs, earn monthly rebates, and take control of how they get paid. If you’re tired of watching fees eat into your work, it’s time for a better system. Contact Revify today to see how much your shop could be keeping.