Julie is amazing and so passionate and patient. She listens to you and gets you to your goal and walks you through everything. And it is such a cozy place makes you calm. I got many pricing done with her and love them all. read more

First time being pierced here (but I've gotten tattooed twice by Charon before). Julie is one of the kindest piercers you can find! I've had some upsetting experiences at other piercers, and I knew from my previous tattoo experiences here that it would be the perfect place to get a piercing. It's super calm and welcoming inside, and you can ask as many questions as you would like. Julie has been piercing for 20+ years and clearly knows what she is doing! My friends have also gone here before and all of our tattoos and piercings have healed amazingly. Pricing is available on the website is very reasonable, and included the price of the starter jewelry pictured here (each lobe is $20, daith is $40). read more

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Love this place. When I had a problem with a piercing there was no hesitation to help. She was as gentle as she could be and helped to save my piercing. Would go here again and again! read more

Called ahead and needed to get a piercing put back in and they were super helpful!10/10 recommend!

I got my first ever tattoo here and I am genuinely so upset. I got my tattoo a week ago and the ink has started coming off in chunks? after asking my friend who has many tattoos what was going on, she said the artist went too deep into my skin and went over it too many times. They went over each number like 4 times. I guess I just don't understand because all the other photos I see looks great, but my tattoo isn't. Very very upsetting overall read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - my tattoo where you can see the missing ink inside the numbers - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

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This was our second time getting a tattoo at Vermont Custom and it was another great experience for both me and my wife. Charon helped us make some adjustments to our initial design and had some great insights. She was super friendly through out. The facility is very clean. Will definitely ask Charon to do our next tattoo. read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

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Made an appointment, went in and piercing was super easy and pretty quick. They don't charge separately for the jewelry and just give you surgical grade studs/loop. The price was under $100 for these three ear piercings read more

I have 13 tattoos and 9 piercings, so I've been to a lot of shops and this one ranks as one of the best I've seen. My local friend received a piercing here a couple of months ago so when I came to visit, she brought me in. I'm almost always up for something but rarely know what it'll be in advance. Other tattoo shops and artists I've encountered can be pushy and impatient with a customer who isn't quite sure. Not here! Julie took her time and let me talk through a few different piercing options. At one point I thought maybe I'd get a tattoo instead but decided not to and at no point was I treated like I was annoying or a hassle. This attitude/professionalism is rare and sets VT Custom apart! Once I decided, the actual piercing experience itself was easy and great. Somehow, there was no line and no wait when we came in. Julie is obviously very experienced and skilled as a piercer and I am very happy with how my new daith piercing came out. So, 2 days later, we came back for another. My husband got one earlobe pierced and the experience was also great. This time, there was quite a crowd and we had to wait but I'm still glad we did. I was really impressed that the artists stayed later than closing time to finish everyone who was in line. Also, based on my experience at many different shops over the last 15 years, the prices here are really reasonable, so if you're reading this review and you're not familiar with the normal etiquette, please tip your artist. As a college town shop, I'm sure a lot of young people come through and it's important to remember that your artists deserve a little gratuity. read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

I love this place! Justin did an amazing job and I'm so happy with my tattoo. Mine is very simple, but they were working on some pretty elaborate and beautiful designs while I was there too! read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - My tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Julie the best! She is so sweet and helped me get my nose ring back in! 10/10 would recommend.

Excellent shop. I was in Vermont on vacation, looked this place up, went there, and they were able to take me as a walk-in, although they did get busy shortly after I was taken so an appointment might be a good idea. They were able to do exactly what I wanted, and my artist was very skilled and also very nice. His name was Roman- I definitely recommend him! I'm super happy with my tattoo, and if I lived nearby I'd definitely go back. read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Piercing methods and aftercare advise is severely outdated and harmful. My friend got pierced with stainless steel butterfly back earrings and was told to twist the earring, clean occasionally with salt water and primarily use soap as a cleansing method. Speaking as someone with several facial and lobe piercings, you should always be pierced with surgical implant grade metal, and the jewelry should be internally threaded. You should never be twisting your piercing after you first get it, and you should be using salt water twice a day to clean it, and using soap in the shower on it. I wouldn't recommend getting pierced here as they misinform you and set you up for an infection. read more

My friend and I were looking to get tattoos while visiting the area and are so lucky we happened upon this place! We were leaving the next day and they didn't have availability for both of us but Mary offered to come in and open the shop half an hour early just so we could both get what we wanted. So nice! The place was clean and they were taking all of the safety precautions for Covid-19. I am a big baby when it comes to pain but Mary was patient and sweet about it. My tattoo came out beautifully, I'm so happy with it!! And my friends tattoo looked AMAZING. Mary is a talented artist and a kind and friendly person, I can't recommend her enough! read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Best last minute decision!!!! A friend and i went upstairs to get a facial at the neighboring spa. After sitting for 20 minutes with no staff in sight (review for that spa coming soon to theaters near you..) we decided "hey, let's check this Vermont Custom place out." I would like to add that we did try to go to Body Art tattoo shop down the street and were not even greeted by the most uncaring staff, so we walked into Custom not knowing what to expect. We were IMMEDIATELY greeted by smiling faces from the artists and piercer and instantly felt at home. It was just us two in the shop, so luckily we got to talk to both artists about what i wanted.... and i had no idea :). I wanted a crescent moon, but didn't bring my phone so couldn't give them the reference photos i had. Somewhat expecting to be turned down, i was shocked when the two artist pulled out their pens and started a-sketchin'! After a few moments and answering a few "happy moon? wise moon? kinky moon?" questions, i had my moon. My perfect little man. The actual tattoo itself was pleasant and comfortable. Justin, my artist, was so friendly and i absolutely would never want anyone to do a tattoo on me ever that's not this godsend of an artist. His sketches were exactly what i didn't even know i wanted- no! Needed, definitely needed those. Inspiring. Emotional. Pure genius. After that tattoo.... i needed another. My friend and i originally wanted to get corresponding tatts, and since i was already on the table, it would make sense to do mine first except (lol) i could barely think of my first tattoo and i no way had any idea what to do with my second. The clock was TICKING!!! I suggested a more devilish tatt, Justin began his furious sketching, and we were going back and forth for over half an hour. I almost pulled out, just because i didn't want to take up too much time.. but last second he showed me my new friend, satan himself. Devilishly handsome and made my heart jump!!!!! He had to be a part of me:) That tattoo was just as easy, breezy, beautiful as the first, and before i knew it, i had two new lifelong loves. Sadly, his next appointment came before my friend could do hers, but better believe we will be back....Thank you VT Custom!!! You made my day, my trip, and my life way more epic :) read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - Satan satan satan - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

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My wife and I took a chance and walked in on a Saturday afternoon, we were greeted by Joe and I was blown away by his professionalism. Joe made us feel welcome even when he had to stay after closing time and the results were more than I could have imagined! Thank you! read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - More hops please - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

This place has a generally okay atmosphere, I've gotten two tattoos here with my friend and the work always turns out good. However some of the older artists have an air of arrogance and snobbiness to them that makes communication (regarding a tattoo or just general conversation) very strained and difficult. Once I was here having a conversation with someone at a normal talking volume and an older artist literally yelled at me to shut up from across the shop. Don't work in a profession where people spend multiple hours sitting still if you dislike hearing people speak, or maybe try being a bit more courteous if you were going to ask somebody to lower their voice. Another time I came in and an older artist critiqued my current artists work on my body after it was already tattooed on me, which somehow felt personally insulting due to the tone and manner of the critique. This person had a clock tattoo, so there's that. Somewhat strange and entitled behavior but they make up for it in good prices and quality work. read more

I brought my 14yo daughter in for a first time ear piercing. Totally relaxed. Patient. Clean. Staff awesome. She walked away a happy girl with cute hoops. Highly recommend. read more

The shop is very clean and sterile, the artists here are some of the best I have seen around the areas and very open and helpful to their clients. I've been to a lot of shops around the new york area that just exude intimidation and snobbery, but Vermont Custom is very open and easy to work with. I have seen every customer walk out the door with a smile on their face so far. I'll be getting all my tattoos from VC and I recommend you do too. read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

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First time tattoo and was not disappointed! Julie responded to my inquiry and set me up with Mary. Mary asked questions on design and was extremely helpful in putting my ideas into a fantastic design, thank you Mary read more

I was put with a less experienced piercer for a Medusa piercing. She pierced it twice and even then didn't do it properly and had someone else come and do it again. I'm not exaggerating when I say I was in 5 minutes or longer of straight unbearable pain. Meanwhile I was kept in the dark about what was happening. Julie ended up finishing my piercing and when she did it it was very quick and minimum pain. This place seems very nice but make sure you ask for the right person I would suggest Julie. read more

Of all the piercing and tattoo shops I've been to in downtown Burlington, the only place I'll ever go from now on is Vermont Custom. Julie was gentle and precise with my piercings, and her personality absolutely lights up the room! I've had ear and body piercings done at 3 other places, but I'll never go anywhere else again! A few years back, Julie pierced my nose for me, and it was such a calming and enjoyable experience that I knew I'd come to her for all my piercing needs in the future. When I wanted my cartilage pierced yesterday, I went straight to her shop! Whether you're getting a piercing for the first time, or the fiftieth time, I highly recommend Julie at Vermont Custom to take care of all your piercing needs! read more

My wife had been to Joe at Vermont Custom Tattoo and piercing for several tattoos over the last two years and when it came time to get some work done myself, I knew I had found the right artist and shop. Yesterday was the start of my new piece and so far I could not be happier, we set an appointment after discussing what I had wanted and the first session came and went without a hitch, I can not wait to finish this piece, Joe is an excellent artist. The shop is right on Church Street, convenient, clean and the staff are very accommodating and friendly, I highly recommend them if your looking for a new tattoo. And for my friend @SkylerG what would my review be with a "Hope that helps!" At the end read more

Julie is the ONLY person that I will let pierce me after horrible disasters at both Body Art in Burly and Aartistic Inc. in Montpelier. I have had 3 piercings done by her (septum, nostril, and eyebrow) and have gone with friends to get their piercings. The atmosphere in the shop is GREAT and I love Julie's personality. She is very good about putting people at ease! I am going in for another piercing today and I can't wait :) read more

I have tremendous amounts of respect for these guys; not because they're talented or run a good shop or anything, even though they totally do. It's because they were brave enough to open up in a college town, where they deal with college girls. Not gonna lie, sitting for an hour on the couch next to a pretty irritating threesome, while a posse of bff's got super cute piercings together was kind of miserable. But I'll take what I can get. It's not their fault. They put up with it so well. Julie is the shit. I'll be back. read more

I got my nose pierced here & it has since healed up very nicely. The piercer was gentle & experienced; the whole thing was much less painful than anticipated. Plus, she had such a good eye that the placement of my piercing blended so seamlessly with my face many of my friends thought I had always had it. The only drawbacks were that the care instructions were outdated compared with what I researched online & this place was HARD to find (but so worth the search). read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - Love it. - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

I went here for a tattoo by Alex Passapera, and I was quite impressed with his work. I like my tats to look artistic (not like clip art) and Alex is definitely able to do that. I thought the prices were higher than other local parlors, but I feel that I did get what I paid for. read more

I got my nose pierced here by Julie. I was really nervous about it but Julie explained the whole process and it was done nice and quick! Highly recommend this place read more

Jules is an incredible piercer! She's friendly, accommodating, and patient. The shop is always spotlessly clean and filled with customers. She moves fast without sacrificing quality, and everything is fairly priced (around $40 for most cartilage and facial/body piercings) and painless. Jules has pierced me 6 times, and I trust her more than any other piercer I've been to. After a spider bite landed me with a nasty infection and I had to remove my anti-tragus piercing, Jules repierced it for free! Also a plus, she lives in Burlington and is super friendly when you see her around town. read more

I came in with my friend who was looking to get a conch piercing and immediately upon arrival the piercer (Not Julie, whom I really like) that has red hair made her (and me by association) feel uncomfortable, rushed, and pressured into the piercing. Without even allowing my friend to barely even say hello or tell her what piercing she was interested in, the piercer was shoving a waiver sheet into my friend's face. The piercer didn't bother to introduce herself or even bother try to act anything even resembling comforting or nice. Quickly, she rushed my friend to the piercing table as though it she was at having a heart attack... this is probably because every minute that was passing by, the piercer realized she has less of a chance of making money seeing as she probably scares her clients off on a regular basis. Just as quickly as that piercer made it blatantly clear that the she does not care about anyone but herself, we realized she was not the fit for us and we promptly left feeling anxious and stressed out by a situation; what's more, a situation in which the reason we should be stressed out is because of the needle going through a ear, not because our piercer is unaware of how to do her job properly. I truly believe this woman probably knew what she was doing piercing-wise; however, she is not properly equipped to be dealing with people in the situations of needle-through-skin... for this reason I nor my friend will be returning for this piercer. read more

Ow my god! I'm in love with my tattoo! The guy who did my tattoo( forgot his name) was really patient with me hence it was my first tattoos, and he kept on asking if I want to take a break and I was scared abit! Thank you guys for the great tattoo! I'll surely come again for my next! read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

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Please, PLEASE go here for any piercing needs! They are not only reasonably priced, but incredibly talented! They gave me amazing double nostril piercings, perfectly symmetrical. ...which I somehow botched. I pulled one of them out by accident, and made a real mess out of myself trying to put my jewelry back in. It was swollen and painful awful. I went back into the shop for help, and they fixed it quickly, free of charge, and gave me aftercare directions. They were very kind (despite how stupid I felt). I will definitely go back next time I need something done! read more

Very pleased with Joe's work! I had an awful stick-and-poke tattoo from a friend and I got a coverup from Joe and now you can't even tell what was there before, not to mention the lines are very clean and the artist was willing to work with me and give me what I wanted. I'll definitely be coming back here for more work in the future read more

Vermont Custom Tattoo and Piercing - Tattoo Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Decided to get my nose pierced on a whim and came here. The girl that did the piercing was very professional and reassuring. Everything seemed well cleaned and sanitary. The price was also reasonable, and included the jewelry that I still wear in my nose. I had no problems with my piercing at all read more

I got three piercings here about a week ago. The environment of the shop is so impeccable and welcoming! I felt super comfortable which is important considering piercings and tattoos can be painful. The woman who pierced me was so fun and we talked about all sorts of silly things and my piercings are doing great. I recommend! read more

Julie was amazing! My 12 year old daughter finally asked to have her ears pierced. Julie was kind and explained every step and made the whole experience painless! read more

Absolutely wonderful!! I refuse to go any where but here for my tattoo and piercing needs! Great prices and friendly staff! I would recommend this to absolutely everyone! read more

My tattoo artist was new and wasn't listed on the website, so I was surprised to see him as my tattoo artist. He was friendly, quiet, and gave off a good vibe. My only complaint is that for my first tattoo, he wasn't very thorough on the exact thing I requested. Corners don't completely meet, and the shape of the main part of the tattoo is uneven and not a uniform line as it should have been. I guess I expected perfection for such a small and simple tattoo? read more

Great experience overall!! The staff is always humorous, friendly, and helpful and all are very good at what they do. I got my nose pierced by Julie and HAD to write a review because she was so great! I barely felt a thing and she was so gentle and very sweet. Thank you Julie!! :) Hillary is also does fantastic tattoo work. This is our second visit and we will always come in on our annual trips to Burlington. Thank you all! :) read more

Joe immediately made me feel welcome and comfortable. He sat down immediately and started drawing out my vision. During my appointment we googled pictures together and discussed until I felt 100% comfortable. He really made me feel like part of the process and excited about my tattoo. read more

Nice shop, nice people. No clip art here , all drawn from your own design. Rick did an awesome job on 2 ankle tats my wife and I had done. Small shop, not much for privacy hence the 4 star , but no big deal. Kid friendly if they behave. $150 an hour for a sitting. Walked in early and got done ASAP , very nice. Ahhh the pain of the ink......why do we do it LOL read more