We’ve got 10 sweet back-to-school strategies you can roll out at your studio to draw in brand new clientele: college students! Read on to learn more…
Back-to-school season isn’t just for big box stores and school supply aisles—it’s also a prime opportunity for tattoo and piercing studios to connect with a wave of new, young clients. College students—especially Gen Z—are all about self-expression, and what better way to make a fresh start than with a new tattoo or piercing? Whether it’s a fine-line wrist tattoo to boost confidence or a bold new septum ring to match their fall style, this crowd is excited to make a statement.
So how can your studio tap into this energetic, style-savvy audience? Here are 10 creative, approachable marketing ideas to help you stand out and book more appointments this semester.
1. Understand What Gen Z Wants
Back-to-school marketing can be a big hit with college students, if you’re willing to get into their mindset. This generation craves more than just ink—they’re drawn to meaningful, expressive, and aesthetically pleasing experiences. Think:
㌥ Delicate fine-line or minimalist tattoos
🧘♀️ Studios that feel inclusive, welcoming, and chill
👂Trendy piercings like stacked lobes, septums, and curated ears
Make sure you are posting content on your social media that reflects your vibe. We’re talking:
🎥 Artist spotlights
🎨 Studio culture
🤳 Behind-the-scenes snippets
💡 Tip: Turn “3 Things Gen Z Looks for in a Tattoo Studio” into a fun, shareable carousel on social.
2. Offer Smart Student Deals
Let’s be real—students are usually on a budget. But don’t let that make you think they’re not worth marketing to! Offering exclusive back-to-school pricing can draw in a new crowd and build loyalty. Fast. Here are simple simple ideas to try:
🆔 “Show Your Student ID” discounts
💮 Loyalty stamp cards (think: 5 piercings = 1 free!)
🫧Tattoo + jewelry aftercare kits bundled for value
👋 New to the studio? Give first-timers a little extra incentive with a welcome promo.
3. Promote on the Platforms College Students Use
If you want to reach Gen Z, meet them where they scroll. Instagram and TikTok are your best friends and you can grow your following with some neat videos showcasing your work, studio, and staff. For example:
🎥 Reels and TikToks showing before/after work or time-lapse tattoos
🤳 IG Stories with polls like “Which design would you choose?”
🤘 BTS videos, studio playlists, and vibe checks
💡 Tip: Don’t forget hashtags like #BackToSchoolInk and #CollegePiercing—they’re small but mighty visibility boosters.
4. Run a Flash Event or Pop-Up
Nothing gets Gen Z through the door like a good flash event. Pick a seasonal theme (Back-to-school! Fall leaves! Halloween! Libra season!) and make it fun:
☕️ Collaborate with a coffee shop near campus for a pop-up
⚡️ Offer discounted flash tattoos on specific days
📆 Promote 1–2 weeks in advance with teasers and countdowns
💡 Tip: Accepting deposits online is a game-changer for reducing no-shows.
5. Create Student-Focused Packages
Students are young adults, so it’s likely that many of them have never tried body art before. Make life easy for new clients with ready-made packages:
🧳 “First Timer Pack”: Small tattoo + aftercare + a pro pic for their Insta
🫧 “Piercing Starter Kit”: Lobe piercing + curated jewelry + cleaning solution
🏡 Roommate deal: Bring a friend, get $10 off your next visit
💡 Tip: Make it easy, affordable, and fun to encourage nervous newbies to choose your studio.
6. Optimize Local SEO for Campus Searches
We know. You’re probably thinking “Woah, I’m an artist and this is starting to sound a bit techy!” We hear you, but SEO is your secret weapon for passive traffic. If a student searches “tattoo shop near [University Name],” you want your studio to show up—preferably at the top. Heer are some simple steps to ensure you’re putting your studio on the map:
✅ Keep your Google Business Profile up to date
🏫 Add college names and campus landmarks to your website and blog
🤔 Use long-tail keywords. This means thinking like a student and using the terms they use on search engines like Google or Bing, e.g. like “student tattoo specials in [City]”
7. Partner with Campus Influencers
Ah, college. We bet it’s still as much of a popularity contest as it was back in the day. Use it to your advantage by finding micro-influencers (basically students with decent followings) and offer them a free or discounted service in exchange for content:
👯♀️ Create a “Tattoo My Roommate” TikTok series
📣 Host giveaways with local dorms or clubs
💻 Recruit a few student ambassadors to post regularly
💡 Tip: Gen Z trusts real people over ads, so these moves can pay off BIG.
8. Share Real Student Stories
Gen Z likes to tell their story. Why not ask your more chatty clients to get personal this back-to-school season? With their permission, share:
🗣️ The story behind their tattoo or piercing
💭 What it means to them
👍 How the experience felt from start to finish
💡 Tip: Turn these into short videos, blog highlights, or carousel posts. Authenticity is what connects.
9. Make Booking Easy
Back-to-school can be exciting but also stressful. Students are busy juggling classes, homework, maybe even a part-time job. The fewer steps it takes for clients to book, the better. Here’s what helps:
📲 Online booking with text reminders
💸 Deposit collection via your website or app
🔗 Direct appointment links in your social bios
If you’re not using a booking system, get a 14-day free trial of DaySmart Body Art to see what you’re missing out on here.
💡 Tip: Bonus points for placing QR codes on campus flyers, so students can book in two taps.
10. Launch a Back-to-School Offer
Last but not least: wrap up your back-to-school campaign with a bang. Time-sensitive offers create a sense of urgency and FOMO. Think timely offers such as:
“Back-to-School Ink” promo: limited designs, limited spots
⚡️Flash tattoo weekend with tiered pricing
½ Buy-one-get-one-half-off piercing week for besties
💡 Tip: Use countdowns in your Stories and posts to add to the urgency. And don’t forget to capture the vibe with fun pics for next year’s campaign.
There you have it. Marketing to college students isn’t about aggressive sales—it’s about creating experiences that resonate. Show up where they are, speak their language, and make it easy to choose your studio over the rest. When done right, you’ll not only fill your books this semester—you’ll earn loyal clients for years to come. Which idea will you try first? Tag @DaySmartBodyArt in your posts so we can cheer you on!
All that back-to-school planning can take its toll. Keep burnout at bay with our e-book Work-Life Balance for Busy Studio Owners.
