What Is Tattoo Clearance?

With more and more folks getting tattoos, they're less of a rarity in casting. Because we see so many actors with tattoos - some of whom are even booked because of their tattoos - it's become standard practice to ask if they have clearance for their ink. Let's dig into what casting to clients mean when we're asking and what it could mean for your tattoos.

Why do I need a clearance?

It is not the canvas that owns the artwork; it is the artist. When someone gets a tattoo, the artist maintains the right to display that art in film, commercials, and television. If the "canvas" is making money on their look, the argument is that the artist should, too! When booking commercials specifically, the producers are making sure that they have permission to use every single image they capture.

If an artist were to see their design on TV in a commercial and weren't paid for their work, they could come after the client, ad agency, and production for money if they wanted to. Having the work cleared mitigates this risk for all parties.

What is the clearance for?

You'll need a new clearance for each tattoo artist you work with, or each new piece of art, depending on how you get tattooed. The clearance below is per artist, meaning you only need one release if you have multiple pieces from the same person. They'll fill out their information and agree to the terms or negotiate with you accordingly.

The Forge is an acting studio that made a free template, not a law firm. If you and an artist start negotiating, bring in a professional (eg. not an acting studio) to negotiate with you.

Timing

Like any industry, time is money, but in film this feels even more heightened. Every additional minute is accounted for - down to covering up tattoos with makeup if needed. Wardrobe is the fastest way to cover ink, but if wardrobe isn't an option, and there's not clearance for the tattoos to be seen, the makeup team has to cover them. If there's not a makeup team (looking at you, student films) it's the actor's responsiblity to cover them up.

Instead of adding hours to your day in a makeup chair, get your artwork cleared! While having tattoos doesn't often disqualify actors from eligibility in projects, knowing that folks have them and how much we're allowed to see them is helpful.

Get the Template

Click the button for our free template. We hope it helps you book more and feel more secure getting the ink you want moving forward.

Tattoo Clearance Template

From a tattooed casting director who runs a tattooed office, good luck out there! My fabulous casting associate, Lauren, and I love getting to see your tattoos, and we love it when you book. Show your art off loud and proud - we need to know you have it! Get your ink cleared so we can hire you without any worry.

Sarah