A tattoo deposit holds the appointment and is applied to the final price. The balance due is just the quote minus the deposit — but it's worth getting the math (and the tip) right at checkout.
The deposit is a prepayment, so it comes straight off the final total.
The example
A piece is quoted at $600 with a $100 deposit taken at booking.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Label | Value |
| 2 | Quoted price | $600 |
| 3 | Deposit paid | $100 |
| 4 | Balance due | $500 |
The formula
Take the deposit off the quote:
How it works
At checkout:
- Start from the agreed quote for the piece (B2).
- Subtract the deposit the client already paid at booking (B3).
B2-B3= $600 − $100 = $500 still owed.- Collect the balance, plus any tip the client adds on top.
To suggest a tip on the full service, base it on the quote: =B2*0.2 for 20%.
Try it: interactive demo
Enter the quote and deposit — see the balance and a 20% tip.
Variations
Balance plus suggested tip
Add a 20% tip on the full quote to the balance due.
Multi-session balance
Subtract all deposits and prior payments from the total project price.
Pitfalls & errors
Be clear in your policy whether deposits are refundable and whether no-shows forfeit them — the formula assumes the deposit applies to the price.
For large multi-session pieces, track each deposit and payment in its own row and subtract the SUM from the total.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
Is the deposit added or subtracted?
Should tip be on the balance or the full price?
How do I handle multiple deposits?
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