About
Linework is a comprehensive studio management solution designed exclusively for the tattoo industry. Unlike generic business tools, Linework was created by tattoo professionals who deeply understand the unique operational challenges of running a studio — from managing multiple artists and their chair rents to handling walk-ins, deposits, and no-shows. The platform offers a fully featured online booking system that lets clients self-schedule appointments directly into an artist's calendar, accessible from any mobile device or desktop. Integrated QR-code and SMS-link payment flows eliminate the need for external card terminals, keeping all financial data in one consolidated hub powered by Stripe's secure infrastructure. Rent settlement between studios and artists is fully automated: Linework generates studio invoices and allocates funds without requiring external accounting software. Built-in financial reports give owners and artists real-time visibility into revenue, rent obligations, and tax exposure, dramatically reducing accounting time. Linework is ideal for independent tattoo artists, multi-artist studios, and studio managers looking to modernize their operations. It's particularly valuable for studios running booth-rent models, where splitting revenue and tracking each artist's individual performance can become complex. Getting started takes minutes: sign up, connect a Stripe account, invite your team, and begin a 7-day free trial with no commitment required.
Key Features
- Online Booking System: Allow clients to self-book appointments directly into artist calendars via a fully integrated online booking portal, accessible from mobile or desktop.
- QR-Code & SMS Payment Collection: Complete transactions instantly by letting clients pay via QR code or SMS link on their own device, powered by Stripe — no external card terminal needed.
- Automated Rent Settlement: Automatically generate studio invoices and allocate booth-rent funds between artists and the studio, eliminating manual calculations and external invoicing tools.
- Financial Reporting & Accounting: Get consolidated visibility into revenue, rent, and tax obligations through built-in financial reports that keep studios organized and audit-ready.
- No-Show & Deposit Management: Reduce revenue loss from no-shows by enforcing deposits and payment requirements at the time of booking.
Use Cases
- A tattoo studio owner automating booth-rent invoicing and payment splits across a team of five resident artists.
- An independent tattoo artist setting up online bookings and deposit collection to reduce no-shows and manage their schedule remotely.
- A studio manager generating monthly financial reports for tax preparation without relying on separate accounting software.
- A multi-location tattoo studio standardizing booking and payment workflows across all venues using a single platform.
- A new tattoo studio getting operational quickly with an all-in-one tool for bookings, payments, and client management from day one.
Pros
- Industry-Specific Design: Built exclusively for tattoo studios by practitioners with 17+ years of industry experience, meaning features map directly to real workflows rather than generic business needs.
- All-in-One Platform: Combines booking, payments, rent management, and accounting in a single tool, eliminating the cost and complexity of stitching together multiple apps.
- Secure, Stripe-Powered Payments: All payment and financial data is handled via Stripe, providing enterprise-grade security and reliability without extra configuration.
- Quick Onboarding: Studios can be live in minutes with a straightforward setup: create an account, invite artists, connect Stripe, and start a free trial immediately.
Cons
- Niche Focus: Linework is purpose-built for tattoo studios, making it unsuitable for other types of service businesses or creative studios.
- Paid After Trial: There is no permanent free tier; after the 7-day trial, a paid subscription is required to continue using the platform.
- Stripe Dependency: Payment processing is tightly coupled to Stripe, which may not be available or preferred in all countries or by all studio owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Linework free to use?
Linework offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card required. After the trial period, a paid subscription is needed to continue accessing the platform.
How does Linework handle payments?
Linework integrates directly with Stripe to process payments. Clients can pay by scanning a QR code or using an SMS link on their phone, removing the need for physical card terminals.
Can Linework manage multiple artists in one studio?
Yes. Studio managers can invite multiple artists to the platform, manage their individual calendars and bookings, and automate rent allocation and invoicing between the studio and each artist.
Does Linework work on mobile devices?
Yes. Linework has a modern, intuitive app that works on mobile devices as well as desktop browsers, allowing artists and managers to handle bookings and payments from anywhere.
Who built Linework and why?
Linework was founded by Kai Ree, a tattoo industry veteran with 17 years of experience running four simultaneous studios, and later partnered with Techpros, a Scandinavian product-development team, to build a tool purpose-made for the tattoo business.
