What to include on a nail tech invoice
Nail work is full of small add-ons, and those add-ons are where invoices go wrong. Put every extra on its own line.
- Studio or tech name, address, phone and booking link
- Appointment date
- The base service, such as gel manicure, acrylic full set or pedicure
- Add-ons: nail art by the nail, chrome, french tips, charms, extra length
- Soak-off or removal if it was done
- Repairs and fixes, noted separately from new work
- Deposit paid and balance due
Use quantity for per-nail extras, for example four nails at five dollars each.
How to price your services
Nail pricing is easiest when it is built from layers: a base price, then length, then art. Charge more for longer sets because they take more product and time, and charge for art by the nail or by complexity.
Include removal time. A soak-off adds fifteen to thirty minutes, and doing it free every time quietly lowers your hourly rate. Keep an eye on product costs too, since gel, acrylic powder, files and tips add up. Price your most popular set against the time it takes, then check that your hourly return holds when a client asks for detailed art.
When to send the invoice
Send the invoice at the end of the appointment, or hand over the PDF as a receipt as the client pays. For mobile nail techs, send it before you pack up so the payment is made before you leave.
Deposits protect longer slots. Send a deposit invoice when a client books a full set, a group booking or a bridal party. For large groups, invoice one organiser for the total so you chase only one payment.
Payment terms that protect your business
Because the work is detailed, expectations should be clear before you start.
- Take a deposit for full sets and group bookings
- State your policy on late arrivals, since long sets leave little room to catch up
- Say how long you offer free repairs, such as seven days, and charge after that
- Charge extra for removing work done elsewhere
- Confirm that deposits are non-refundable inside your cancellation window
- List the payment methods you take, including tips by card
Your intake form should record allergies, so match it with your invoice.
Common invoicing mistakes
Avoid these common slips.
- Listing a single price for "nails" with no detail. Break out base work and extras.
- Not charging for removals and repairs.
- Rounding art prices down to be nice, then losing the margin.
- Forgetting to credit the deposit.
- Letting group bookings turn into separate payments you must chase.
- Using photos of your work as the only record. Keep a copy of each invoice too.
