What You Need to Know About Flat Back Studs
What are Flat Back Earrings, and why does it seem like everyone's talking about them?
You’ve been seeing them everywhere - here’s what you need to know about flat back earrings before they become your new staple.
Flat backs are a modern dream. They’re a practical solution to the age-old issue of sharp, pointy butterfly back studs and flimsy backs that won’t stay on, no matter how much you squeeze or adjust them. At Grayling, we think that flat back studs, commonly known as nap studs and sleeper earrings (or more traditionally in the piercing world, labret jewelry) are going to (and should) be taking over the earring world. Say goodbye to losing your favorites and say hello to uncompromising comfort and style.
How many times have you gotten comfy in bed to be suddenly stabbed by your stud when you finally relax? If you've ever tried to rest while traveling, worn headphones, ear muffs, helmets, played sports, ridden horses, or any number of other activities, you've probably been uncomfortable enough to stop wearing your beloved post earrings regularly.
WHO wants that?? Absolutely NO one, ever.
Presenting: Flat Back Earrings - our tiny, trusted heroes!
Shop the above styles + more in our Flat Back Earrings for Sensitive Skin Collection!
This new style of stud earring replaces the traditional post and butterfly or ‘push’ on back, with a smooth and ‘flat’ backing - finally NO MORE POKIES! You’ve probably seen a version of them as they are most regularly used as the first style of earring in a brand-new piercing! They are much easier to clean to begin with - no funky nooks or crannies for gunk to get trapped in.
Flat back studs have undergone even more innovations since their first designs, so don’t worry if you’re only familiar with the older, trickier twist front version—ours are made for the utmost ease of use and comfort.
Who are Flat Back Earrings Good For?
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You’re a Side Sleeper
Flat backs are here to save you from having to take your jewelry on & off every time you want to get some rest, pinpricks in the night, and the stress of losing your jewelry. Our threadless flat back earrings will leave you happily in dreamland. -
You Lead An Active Lifestyle
Are you an active person? Our sweat-proof and sturdy Titanium and 14k Solid Gold jewelry are your new go-to daily drivers. Designed for performance, they won’t turn your skin that icky green color. Our flat backs can keep up with you no matter how hard you sweat—no fading, no flaking, no discolored skin. -
You Love to Travel & Explore
Is travel a staple in your life? TSA-approved jewelry that’s safe & secure for long plane rides and new adventures. If you’ve ever lost a stud in the airport bathroom or had a hoop go missing on a long flight, you know what we’re talking about. You’re totally safe to wear our flat backs on your salty beach adventures or while relaxing at a chlorine pool. -
You Value Convenience Above All
OK, maybe you’re just a little lazy! And we mean that in the best way. Work smarter, not harder. If you value convenience over everything (but want to look like you tried), you're gonna love the ease of our flat back studs. They're a set-it-and-forget-it thing, which saves you time, energy, and probably even money!
Highest to lowest opal studs: 3mm Aurora Round Opal Bezel-Set, Aurora Marquise Solitaire Opal, 4mm Aurora Round Opal Bezel-Set, and Aurora Teardrop Opal Bezel-Set Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings. All other CZ studs: 2mm Solitaire Round Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings
Grayling’s flat back collection falls under what the industry commonly refers to as “threadless ends” or “threadless flat backs.” You might also hear these called “snap-in” or “push-in” styles. Our flat backs are threadless, meaning they don’t use internal or external threading to stay in place (ever struggled with teensy tiny eyeglass screws? Multiply that madness 10x and you start to get near how finicky threaded styles can be to use!). Instead, they snap into position and are held securely by tension created when the post is slightly bent at the front. Don’t stress - we have answers if any of this is too vague!
Check out our FAQ page for answers to all of your threadless Flat Back Stud questions.
The style of flat back earrings at Grayling (known as labret studs in the piercing community) is super versatile! While they look great in earlobes, you can use them in many other piercings too. You’ll commonly find this style in nostril and lip piercings, including the philtrum and both central and side labret piercings. They’re also perfect for ear lobe piercings and various cartilage piercings, like the helix, conch, and tragus. So, whether you’re going for a classic look or something a bit more unique, we’ve got you covered.
Featured above: Solitaire Round Titanium Flat Back Nose Stud, and Smooth Sphere Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earring
Now you know why we’re all (rightfully) obsessed!
But, before you get lost in the countless pin front options we need to address THE most important component to these wildly adaptable powerhouses.
It’s in the name—the flat back! The goal is to find the right size backing for each piercing.
How to know the right size for flat back studs?
You’ll identify both the gauge of the backing post, as well as the length, to find the best fit for YOU. While you’re usually pierced in a larger gauge, it’s common to ‘size down’ as your piercing heals to the standard 20-gauge, or .8mm, in lobes, or to 18-gauge, or 1.1mm, in cartilage. Unfortunately, internally threaded Flat Back Earrings can only go as small as 18g, or 1.1mm, and can stretch some lobe or thinner piercings, causing pain or discomfort. But don’t worry! As the industry has progressed into (what we believe is brilliant!) threadless style Flat Back Earrings, there is now the ability to offer a range of backs in varying gauges and lengths to find your exact perfect fit.
Being able to comfortably wear the earrings you just never want to take off = GAME-CHANGER.
From left to right: Turquoise Solitaire Marquise, Turquoise Round Bezel, and Turquoise Fan Marquise Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings
Your only real hurdle is matching the backing to the specific piercing placement you’d like to use. After that, you’re all set to swap your threadless fronts interchangeably between various backings/locations. So, when shopping for these, ask yourself:
- What piercing do I want this for? Is it a lobe or cartilage? Is it in a thicker area of my ear or face?
- What size backing is suggested for this piercing placement?
- How long has my piercing been healed?
From left to right: 6mm Mya Smooth Hinged Segment Ring, Moon, North Star, Deco Snake, and Solitaire Marquise Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings
If you have a standard lobe piercing, you’re most likely perfectly set with the standard 20 gauge, and it just sizes up from there! However, the numbers go down in size, and it can be tricky if you’re not familiar with jewelry gauges. We have a handy guide here: How do I know what flat back size I need? Check it out to see what sizing suggestions are most suitable for various placements*.
From left to right: Daisy Marquise Crystal Flower, Triple Crystal Chain Drop, 3mm Solitaire Round, and Double Drop Bezel-Set Crystal Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings
Remember—if your piercing is only recently healed, agitated, or inflamed, it is likely to require a longer length of backing than our standard suggestion.
Threadless backs come in a wide range of sizes. At Grayling, we carry 20 - 16 gauge in 4 - 8mm lengths, but we are always here to help with custom sizes outside of those options—trust us, we know how much piercing sizes vary and can also change. There is a perfect fit for you, and we aim to provide that!
Need a little styling inspiration? Oh, we got you. Find our best tips and tricks to start a curated look here.
*everyone's anatomy varies, but our guide should be super helpful!
**This style of piercing jewelry does not work for navel, eyebrow, ashley, smiley, nipple, septum, daith, or snug piercings. These types of piercings require a barbell or curved bar. Please contact a professional piercer if you are unsure what type of jewelry is most suitable for your piercing.
