How do I set up custom commission work on Etsy with deposits and revisions?

Hi! Yes—Etsy can work for custom tattoo design commissions (as a digital creative service), but Etsy doesn’t have a built-in “deposit + milestone payments” feature, so the cleanest way is to structure it as two separate Etsy listings (a deposit/retainer listing and a final balance listing) and spell out your revisions + refund terms in the listing description/FAQs.

Here’s a setup that usually goes smoothly for Etsy commissions:

1) Create a “Tattoo Design Deposit / Retainer” Etsy listing (digital item)

• Price it as your deposit amount.
• Deliverable for this listing: send something tangible as a digital file (example: a PDF/JPG of 1–3 rough concept sketches or a first draft). That way the deposit isn’t just “payment to hold a spot.”
• In the description, clearly say what the deposit covers (ex: consultation + initial concepts), what info the buyer must provide, and your timeline for the first draft.

2) After approval, create the “Final Balance” Etsy listing (digital item)

• Price = remaining amount.
• Deliverable: final files (usually high-res PNG + PDF, maybe blackwork/line version + shaded version if that’s your style).
• Only send final high-res files after the balance is paid.

Why two listings? Because Etsy cancellation mechanics are basically “cancel = full refund.” If you try to do everything as one listing and the buyer cancels mid-way, it gets messy fast. Two listings keeps the deposit and the final delivery separate and clearer for both of you.

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Revisions: make them specific (so you don’t get endless tweak requests)

In your Etsy listing description, define revisions like this:

• “Includes 2 revision rounds after the first draft.”
• “A revision round = one message containing all requested changes.”
• “Revisions cover small changes (line thickness, small elements, placement of details). A full redraw / new concept counts as a new commission or an extra fee.”
• “Extra revision rounds are $X each (I invoice via a separate Etsy custom add-on listing).”

Also add an approval checkpoint:

• “Once you approve the final concept, further changes aren’t included.”

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Deposits + refunds/cancellations (important Etsy reality check)

A couple key Etsy quirks to plan around:

• Etsy lets sellers issue partial refunds, but if you cancel the order, Etsy expects a full refund for that canceled order.
• For digital listings, you can’t set an official returns policy toggle the same way you can for physical items—so your refund terms need to be in your description/FAQs/messages (and you still may choose to refund case-by-case if needed).

A practical, buyer-friendly policy wording (adjust to your comfort level) is something like:

• Before I start / before first draft is delivered: buyer can request cancellation; you may refund minus a small admin fee if you want (or full refund if you prefer).
• After I send the first draft/concept: deposit/retainer becomes non-refundable because work has been delivered.
• If you cancel mid-process: you won’t receive the final files, and any remaining balance listing (if not purchased yet) simply won’t be created.

Tip: Put the same terms in 3 places—(1) listing description, (2) shop FAQ, and (3) a short “Message to Buyers” note—so nobody can say they missed it.

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What to use for listing photos if you don’t have tattoo commission examples yet

Totally normal. You can still make a strong Etsy listing without past tattoo commissions:

• Use a clean “commission process” graphic (Step 1: deposit, Step 2: draft, Step 3: revisions, Step 4: final files).
• Show sample flash-style designs you create specifically for the listing (even if nobody commissioned them). Mark them as “Sample design (not for tattooing as-is / not a finished commission)” if you want.
• Include a collage of your linework examples (stickers/prints that match tattoo aesthetics).
• Add a photo that lists what they’ll receive: “High-res PNG + PDF, black & white version, etc.”

Avoid using photos of actual tattoos on skin unless you have clear permission from the wearer and the tattooer—and even then, it can confuse buyers into thinking you’re selling tattoo services rather than digital design files.

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If you tell me your typical price range and whether you draw mostly fine line, traditional, blackwork, etc., I can help you draft a tight Etsy listing description that covers deposit language, revision limits, and cancellation/refund wording without sounding harsh.