Tattooing Minors Using TRF App: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Tattooing minors requires strict adherence to local laws, mandatory parental consent, and foolproof record retention. The TRF app features a built-in Minor Intake Workflow that automatically detects minor clients, swaps to minor-specific legal clauses, alerts the artist, and guides staff through capturing parental ID and proof of legal guardianship.

Here is the complete step-by-step breakdown of how to process minor clients safely and legally in the TRF app.

1. Automatic Minor Detection

The minor tattoo collector takes the iPad, photographs her ID, completes the New Client Flow, signs, and hands the iPad over to the artist. The intake process begins just like a standard client session, but TRF’s backend engine actively monitors client birthdates in real time:

Client DOB Entry: During Step 2 (BIO), the client inputs their date of birth using the date-picker wheel.

Dynamic Age Calculation: If the client's calculated age is under 18, TRF automatically flags the session as a Minor Intake and activates minor protocols in the background.

Minor Health Screening: The minor completes the standard HEALTH questionnaire, disclosing any active allergies, medical conditions, medications, or time of last meal.

Automatic Minor Clause Swapping: When the client reaches Step 6 (LEGAL), TRF automatically replaces the standard adult contract with your studio's custom Minor Legal Clause (configured in Settings > EDITORS Tab).

Minor Signature: The minor client initials the legal clauses, signs the digital signature pad, and taps DONE.

Lobby Lock Screen: The iPad locks on the green confirmation screen: "NICELY DONE. PLEASE TELL STUDIO STAFF TO TAKE OVER FROM HERE."

2. Artist Alert & Guardianship Prompt (Back-End Handoff)

Once the minor completes their portion of the intake, hand the iPad to the artist or studio staff:

ARTIST: TAP TO BEGIN > Artist Passcode or Master Passcode (default is 1234).

Minor Health & Age Alert: TRF immediately displays a prominent alert warning the artist that they are working with a minor client, along with any flagged medical conditions.

Guardianship Directive: The app prompts the artist to verify that a parent or court-appointed legal guardian is physically present with valid government-issued photo identification and legal proof of guardianship (e.g., Birth Certificate or Legal Guardianship Papers).

Tap I UNDERSTAND to enter the secure Artist Notes Pane.

3. Photographing Guardian ID & Proof of Guardianship

To defend your studio against legal claims or health department audits, you must attach physical proof of parental relationship directly to the digital waiver:

In the Artist Notes Pane, scroll down to the SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS section.

Tap Add with iPad Camera (or select from iPad camera roll if pre-scanned).

Photograph Guardian ID: Capture a clear, well-lit photo of the parent or legal guardian’s government-issued ID (Driver's License, State ID, or Passport). Select document type Legal Guardian ID.

Photograph Proof of Guardianship: Capture a clear photo of the supporting relationship document (State Birth Certificate, Adoption Papers, or Court Guardianship Decree). Select document type Birth Certificate or Custom Document.

Both high-resolution images are immediately added to the final compiled PDF waiver alongside the client's ID photo.

4. Parent / Legal Guardian Authorization & Signature

Next, hand the iPad to the parent or legal guardian to complete their legal authorization:

In the Supporting Documents / Guardian Authorization section, the parent or legal guardian reviews the custom Minor Legal Clause on screen.

The guardian types their Full Legal Name and selects their relationship to the minor (e.g., Mother, Father, Court-Appointed Legal Guardian).

The guardian signs the Guardian Signature Pad using a finger or stylus, then taps DONE.

5. Artist Logging & Cloud Upload

With parental authorization secured, the artist finalizes the session setup:

Log Setup Details: In the Artist Notes Pane, select the specific Pigments, Needles/Blades, Disposable Tubes, and Salves used for the procedure.

Scan Lot Numbers: Use SCAN BARCODE/QR or READ PRINTED NUMBER (OCR) to capture lot codes directly off supply packaging for health code compliance.

Log Session Financials: Enter base cost, deposit, and payment method details.

Artist Sign-Off: Tap ARTIST SIGNATURE, sign the pad, and tap FINISH & UPLOAD.

TRF instantly compiles a single, comprehensive PDF waiver containing the minor's details, parent/guardian legal authorization, attached ID/guardianship photos, and artist supply logs, uploading it straight to your connected cloud storage under:
Beluga Digital App [year] Tattoo Release Forms / Waivers