Northern Custom

Northern Custom, located in North Bay, Ontario, offers both tattoo and piercing services. Clients have shared a range of experiences, with many praising the artistic talent and welcoming atmosphere, while others have expressed concerns regarding customer service, booking communication, and the quality and hygiene of some procedures.

Practical Info

Booking an appointment at Northern Custom has garnered mixed feedback from clients. Some visitors have reported difficulty reaching the studio via phone or email, with one client describing a non-functional number and unresponsive email communication. Others have mentioned challenges with scheduling and receiving drawing samples in a timely manner. Conversely, some clients have reported positive experiences, finding the staff accommodating with appointments. Regarding pricing, some describe reasonable rates for piercings and fair prices from specific artists, while others found certain small tattoos to be pricey.

The Studio Experience

The atmosphere at Northern Custom is often described by clients as comfortable, fun, laid-back, and amazing, with many highlighting the friendly and energetic crew. The studio is praised by some visitors for being amazingly clean and very friendly. However, other clients have raised significant concerns regarding cleanliness and safety. Some have reported experiencing infected tattoos and piercings, with one client mentioning a health unit warning regarding dirty piercings and staph infections. Customer service experiences are also varied; while many clients commend the excellent service and helpfulness of the staff, others have described interactions as “awful” or “terrible,” particularly concerning communication and refund requests.

The Artists and Their Work

Northern Custom features a team of artists, including Stacks, Eric, Amanda, Lawrence, Lefty, and Stacey, who have received considerable praise for their talent and professionalism. Many clients express extreme satisfaction with their tattoos, with specific artists like Amanda and Eric highly recommended for creating fantastic custom pieces. Lawrence is noted for amazing work and good conversation. Stacks is frequently praised as an amazing artist who helps clients through anxiety during procedures. However, some clients have reported negative experiences with tattoo quality, citing issues such as scarring, tattoos done too deep, uneven lines, blowouts, smearing, and missed parts of designs. Cover-up services are also offered, with clients reporting great work that effectively conceals previous tattoos.

Piercing & Other Services

The studio provides various piercing services, with piercers often described as nice, professional, and very gentle. Stacy, in particular, is highlighted for her amazing service and for helping clients understand the process, creating a comfortable experience even for first-time piercers. Clients have also had lobe reopenings and nose piercings. However, one client reported a piercing being done incorrectly, resulting in a bent hoop.

What Customers Say

Many clients appreciate the studio’s inviting atmosphere and skilled artists. One client shared that the “Piercers great was very good to my disabled child,” noting the “very comfortable atmosphere” during their ear piercing. Another visitor described their experience as “amazing, excellent customer service” and praised the “Great environment” and “amazing work.” Furthermore, Stacks is often lauded for her artistic talent, with a client stating, “Stacks is a great artist and tattooist absolutely love my tattoo highly recommend her.”