Integrations
Google Calendar for tattoo artists
Inkdesk uses Google for staff login to the cabinet and can push confirmed appointments outbound to an artist’s Google Calendar when calendar sync is connected. A scheduled pull refreshes busy blocks from Google (~every 5 minutes) so personal events block bookable slots. Inkdesk stays the system of record for availability rules, deposits, waitlist, and check-in. Instant Google push-watch webhooks are optional—not required to run the shop. Inkdesk is $50 per shop per month.
How does Google fit into Inkdesk?
Owners, managers, and artists sign into the cabinet with Google or email and password. That is staff auth — not client login. Clients book via hosted page or embed and verify with OTP when the flow requires it.
When calendar sync is enabled for an artist, confirmed bookings can emit outbound calendar push so the session appears on Google Calendar. Domain events from booking confirmation and related transitions fan out through the worker. A background sync job also pulls busy blocks from Google into Inkdesk so availability stays accurate between pushes.
Treat Inkdesk weekly rules, exceptions, and busy blocks as the source of bookable slots. Do not expect clients to book imaginary gaps that only exist as empty white space on a personal calendar.
What Google Calendar is good for in a tattoo shop
Personal awareness between chairs: artists see confirmed sessions next to their non-shop life. Managers still run the floor from Today and the day board, where deposit status and appointment state are visible.
Outbound sync reduces “I didn’t see the booking” excuses after a deposit is paid. Pull sync can block chairs when personal Google events land in busy cache. Neither replaces SMS/email reminders to clients—those are separate notification paths tied to the appointment.
Guest artists can keep their own Google account login while booking under the shop tenant.
Limits to be clear about
Instant Google Calendar watch/webhook channels are not required. If watch URLs are unset, the scheduled pull still refreshes busy cache. Availability is still computed from shop and artist rules inside Inkdesk first.
Calendar sync does not move deposit money or consent PDFs into Google. Those stay on the appointment and client record in Inkdesk.
At $50/shop/month, calendar-aware booking sits with deposits, waitlist, and widget embeds in one subscription.
Operational checklist
Connect Google login for staff. Set artist hours and exceptions in Inkdesk. Require deposits where no-shows hurt. Enable calendar sync for artists who want it. Put Book on the website or bio link. Run the day from the cabinet and station display.
- Google login for staff
- Artist hours & exceptions
- Deposits where no-shows hurt
- Outbound Google Calendar (optional)
- Book on website or bio link
- Day board + station display
Inkdesk stays source of truth; calendar is the artist mirror.
FAQ
Do clients need a Google account?
No. Google login is for staff. Clients use your book page or widget.
Is sync two-way?
Inkdesk pushes confirmed bookings to Google Calendar when connected and periodically pulls busy blocks so availability stays accurate. Do not rely on Google as the only availability source; configure hours in Inkdesk.
Can we use Inkdesk without Google Calendar?
Yes. Many shops run entirely on the cabinet calendar and day board. Calendar sync is optional convenience for artists.
Pricing?
Inkdesk is $50 per shop per month.
Inkdesk is $50 per shop per month — one shop subscription, not a pile of add-ons. Start a free trial or open the live demo with sample data. No credit card required to look around.