Friday the 13th flash events are some of the best days to introduce new clients to your studio. They are also some of the most hectic days of the year, which is exactly why preparation matters.
There are three Friday the 13ths in 2026:
February 13, 2026
March 13, 2026
November 13, 2026
Use this guide to prepare your studio, streamline the day, and follow up after the event to turn flash clients into future appointments.
What to focus on
A smooth Friday the 13th comes down to three things:
Supplies and setup speed so you don't run out or slow down.
A simple client flow so the front counter stays organized.
A follow-up plan so you can efficiently use the client list you just built.
Preparation timeline
4 weeks before the event
Market it early
Start promoting about a month in advance so clients can plan ahead.
If you are doing multiple events (February and March), tell February clients they can expect another event in March.
Confirm your event structure
First come, first served is the most common format.
Decide the basics now so your team can communicate it consistently:
Start time
Price range and size rules (if you have them)
Placement rules (if you have them)
Estimated wait expectations
1 to 2 weeks before the event
Over-order supplies
Flash events burn through “small stuff” fast. Order extra:
Stencil paper
Needles and cartridges
Razors
Paper towels and barrier supplies
Aftercare supplies like second skin (if your studio uses it)
Print what you can ahead of time
If your flash is finalized, start organizing it for speed (more on the numbering system below).
The night before
1) Pre-print stencils
Printing stencils during the event slows everything down and forces artists to come in early. Print as many as you can the night before.
2) Use a numbering system for flash
This keeps the front desk simple and prevents stencil chaos.
How it works:
Print your flash designs on regular computer paper and display them at the front.
Give each design a clear number (example: 1–100).
In the back, prepare full stencil sheets of the same designs, organized in the same numbered order.
When a client chooses a design, they simply request the number.
The artist grabs the matching stencil quickly, cuts it, and moves forward.
3) Optional: Artist Can Prep “drop kits”.
This is a simple trick that saves time between clients.
How to do it:
The night before, set up Ziplock bags as “drop kits.”
Put the basic setup items you know you will need for each client.
Make a stack of them so artists can break down and reset faster between tattoos.
4) Plan meals ahead of time
It is common for artists to go hours without stopping during flash days. Planning ahead will take one more distraction off of the table. Schedule something easy:
Pizza delivery
Sandwich trays
Any simple option that's quick and easy to eat
Day-of setup and client flow
Front counter setup
Post flash at the front
Display the numbered flash sheet where clients can easily see it.
Make sure staff can quickly explain the process: choose a number, fill out the consent form, then wait to be called.
Put your consent form QR code at the front
Print the QR code and place it where every client will see it immediately.
The goal is to have clients complete the consent form as soon as they walk in.
Using Keep The Fees to stay organized
Friday the 13th is a high-volume day, which makes it a perfect day to lean on systems.
Consent forms as your waitlist
When clients fill out the consent form in Keep The Fees:
You are collecting their information immediately.
New clients automatically get a client profile created.
The list of submitted consent forms can act as a simple “who is next” list for the day.
Checkout timing options
There are two common ways to handle checkout. Choose the one that fits your workflow.
Option A: Checkout after the tattoo (most common)
Client fills out the consent form upon arrival.
Client gets tattooed.
Client pays when finished.
Option B: Checkout right after the consent form is submitted (optional)
This can speed up the process on the back end, but only do it if your front counter is confident in the flow.
You must know which artist the client is working with, so you can assign the artist correctly in the transaction.
If your artist assignment is unclear, stick to Option A.
Post-event follow-up
Friday the 13th is not just a single-day event. It is also a client acquisition day. The follow-up is how you turn a small flash tattoo into future appointments, consultations, and reviews.
When to follow up
Two weeks after the event, follow up with everyone who came in and got tattooed.
It can feel daunting if 100+ people came through, however a simple and consistent follow-up process can create a serious return!
How to follow up
You can follow up by text or phone call.
Phone call is recommended because it is more personal and stands out.
If volume is too high, a text message can definitely work!
What to say in the follow-up
Keep it simple and genuine:
Ask how it is healing.
Ask how their experience was at the event.
Pivot into future work.
Conversation flow
“Hey, this is [Name] from [Studio]. I wanted to check in and see how your tattoo is healing.”
“How was your experience at the Friday the 13th event?”
“Have you had any ideas for something larger you have been thinking about?”
If they want a bigger piece
Recommend a consultation as soon as possible.
The goal is to turn interest into a scheduled next step.
If they don't want another tattoo right now
Ask for a review:
If they had a great experience, request a Google review while it is still fresh on their mind.
This is one of the easiest ways to turn a flash event into long-term growth.
Quick checklist
When | What to do |
4 weeks before | Start marketing and confirm event rules and pricing |
1 to 2 weeks before | Order extra supplies and finalize flash |
Night before | Print stencils, set up numbered flash system, prep drop kits (optional), plan food |
Day of | Post flash at front, display consent form QR code, run a simple flow |
2 weeks after | Follow up with everyone, check healing, ask for feedback, pitch consultations, request reviews |
Need help?
If you have questions about setting up your consent forms, QR code flow, or managing high-volume days in Keep The Fees, message us in the support chat. We are happy to help you get ready for February 13, March 13, and November 13, 2026!