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Custom Tattoo Design Studios in Portland, ME

11 of the 33 tattoo shops we list in Portland have custom design work.

Map search doesn't separate shops that only tattoo pre-made flash sheets from shops that build a one-of-a-kind piece around your idea — that distinction isn't a searchable field, it's buried in a portfolio you have to dig for. Every shop listed here has custom design work confirmed from its own website or portfolio, not guessed from star ratings.

  1. The Eye of Henna & 13 Moons Tattoo Studio

    142 High St #418, Portland, ME 04101

    11am-6pm

    Custom designAppointment only
    Call Website Directions

  2. Brass & Briar Studios

    85 India St, Portland, ME 04101-4210

    Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm

    Walk-ins welcomePiercingCustom design
    Call Website Directions

  3. Gemstone Tattoo

    305 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101-4604

    Thu-Sat 10am-5pm

    Custom designCover-upsAppointment only
    Call Website Directions

  4. Ryan Fleming Tattoos

    1041 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME 04102-1042

    Tue-Sat 11am-6pm

    Custom designCover-upsAppointment only
    Call Website Directions

  5. Tsunami Tattoo

    21 Pleasant St, Portland, ME 04101-3956

    by appointment, 11am-6pm most days

    Walk-ins welcomeCustom design
    Call Website Directions

  6. Broken Crow Collective

    1 Dana St, Portland, ME 04101-5107

    Walk-ins welcomeCustom design
    Call Website Directions

  7. Inkni Studios

    21 Pleasant St, Portland, ME 04101-3956

    Custom designAppointment only
    Call Website Directions

  8. Sanctuary Tattoo

    31 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04101

    Custom designAppointment only
    Call Website Directions

  9. Sanctuary Tattoo

    1041 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME 04102-1042

    Custom designAppointment only
    Call Website Directions

  10. Burns Tattoo

    1041 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME 04102-1042

    Tue-Sat opens 11am

    Custom design
    Call Website Directions

  11. Fortune Teller Tattoo

    82 Hanover St, Portland, ME 04101-1978

    Custom design
    Call Website Directions
Bring reference images, not just a description. Real custom work usually goes through at least one revision round before the appointment, and most shops charge a separate design fee or deposit that's applied to the final tattoo cost — expect that upfront, not as a surprise at checkout.

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Good to know

How much does a custom tattoo design cost?

Many shops charge a flat design fee (often $50-150) or a deposit that's later credited toward the tattoo price, on top of the hourly or per-piece rate for the tattoo itself. Large custom pieces like sleeves or back pieces are usually billed hourly rather than as one flat price.

How long does it take to get a custom tattoo designed?

Simple custom pieces can be sketched and approved within a few days to a week, but in-demand artists who focus on original work are sometimes booked weeks out just for the design consultation. Ask about current wait times when you book, since it varies a lot from shop to shop.