Is the Veneer Process or Placement Painful?

We can't promise zero discomfort, but the majority of the time, patients state that the entire process was completely comfortable. Most experienced cosmetic dentists use materials and techniques specifically to reduce discomfort. Anesthetic is almost always used.
Situations are different, and some people have other issues to fix at the same time as a smile makeover (sometimes root canal therapy is done at the same time), but generally speaking there is no pain.

I think you need to look at the patient and decide on the basis of how much reduction is needed on the teeth and the fear and sensitivity of the patient who is having the procedure done. It seems to me that you are already concerned about the pain. We use an anesthetic on most patients but we have used oral sedation when there are a number of veneers being done. Halcion works well and the patient is relaxed and so is the dentist!
You have a choice of lumineers or vivaneers where there is less reduction but you also have to have the right size teeth so when done, the finished product does not look bulky. Dentistry should not HURT! Pain should not be an issue...that is whey we have oral sedation.

There are many factors that will determine how much of your tooth (if any) will need to be adjusted for you to receive veneers. Most patients have very little or no discomfort at any point during the veneer process and do not even require any novacaine. If your particular situation requires that a moderate amount of tooth structure needs to be removed to achieve the ideal results, then you probably will be more comfortable being numbed during the prep and insert appoinments.