What Are Threadless Flat Back Earrings and Why Do Professional Piercers Prefer Them?
If you are wondering what threadless flat back earrings are, why professional piercers recommend them, or whether they are better than threaded earrings, you are not alone. Threadless flat back earrings are the gold standard in modern piercing studios because they are secure, comfortable, easy to style, and ideal for long-term wear.
At Nina Wynn: Fine, Permanent & Piercing Jewelry in Denver, we use and recommend threadless flat back earrings because they are designed for comfort, healing, and a clean, luxury finish. Explore our Flat Back Earrings, browse our full Piercing Jewelry Collection, or learn more in our Piercing Guide.
Whether you are shopping for healed piercings, looking for the best earrings for new piercings, or trying to understand the difference between threadless and threaded jewelry, this guide explains exactly why the world’s top piercers choose threadless.
Why the World’s Top Piercers Choose Threadless
There is a lot of confusion online about threaded vs. threadless flat back earrings. But if you walk into a high-end piercing studio or look at collections from respected luxury piercing brands, you will see the same system used again and again: the threadless flat back.
As a jeweler with decades of experience, I can tell you why: gold is a soft, precious metal. Traditional threaded jewelry relies on tiny screw threads that can wear down, strip, and loosen over time. A threadless push-pin design uses tension instead of friction, which makes it one of the most secure and elegant ways to wear 14k gold piercing jewelry.
If you are shopping for pieces that are comfortable enough to sleep in, easy to clean, and refined enough for everyday wear, start with our Flat Back Earrings Collection.
The Anatomy of a Threadless Flat Back Stud
The Decorative Top: Handcrafted 14k gold with a specialized pin.
The Tension Bend: The slight curve in the pin that locks the piece in place.
The Hollow Labret Post: A smooth, polished tube that protects your piercing.
The Flat Back Disc: Sits flush against the skin for comfort, including while sleeping.
This system is why threadless flat back earrings are often called the most comfortable piercing jewelry for everyday wear.
How to Choose the Right Flat Back Post Length
Most brands offer only a couple of post lengths, but real ears are not one-size-fits-all. Post length affects comfort, healing, and how securely the jewelry sits against the ear. Choosing the right fit helps prevent drooping, pressure, and unnecessary movement.
Length
Fit
Best For
4.5-5mm
Ultra-Snug
Healed thin lobes and forward helix piercings
5.5-6mm
Snug
Standard healed lobes and tragus piercings
6.5-7mm
Comfort
Thicker cartilage such as conch or standard lobes
7.5-8mm
Initial Lobe
Room for swelling in new lobe piercings
8.5-9mm
Initial Cartilage
Maximum safety for new conch or helix piercings
If you are not sure which size is right for you, our Piercing Guide can help you understand placement and fit, and our team in Denver can help you choose the ideal post length for your anatomy. You can also book with us here: Piercing Denver.
How to Set the Tension on Threadless Jewelry
Because high-purity 14k gold is designed to be flexible and durable, threadless jewelry relies on a slight bend in the pin to create the secure fit.
Insert: Push the pin about one-third of the way into the post.
Bend: Use your thumb to give the pin a tiny nudge, about 15 degrees.
Lock: Push the top all the way in until it sits flush.
Expert Tip: If it feels too easy to pull out, bend the pin slightly more. If it feels too tight, straighten it just a little. That gentle tension fit is what keeps threadless jewelry secure during daily wear.
Yes. Flat back earrings are often called nap earrings because the flat disc sits flush against the skin and eliminates the poke behind the ear. They are one of the most comfortable earring styles for sleeping and everyday wear.
What is the difference between 20g and 18g earrings?
Most standard fashion earrings are 20g, which is thinner. Professional flat back earrings are usually 18g, which offers better structural integrity for threadless jewelry while still being comfortable for healed piercings.
Why are flat back earrings better than butterfly backs?
Flat back earrings are smoother and easier to keep clean. Butterfly backs have more crevices where buildup can collect, while flat backs are often preferred for comfort, security, and hygiene.
Do threadless tops fit different flat back posts?
In many threadless systems, tops are designed to be interchangeable with compatible posts. This makes it easy to change your look while keeping the right post length for each piercing.
Where should I get pierced if I want flat back earrings?
Choose a professional studio that uses sterile hollow needles and properly fitted implant-grade or solid gold jewelry. If you are in Colorado, you can visit our Denver studio for professional piercing and jewelry styling.
The Nina Wynn Guarantee
Every piece we produce is backed by a 3-year manufacturing warranty. We believe in our materials, our mechanics, and your style.
Learn more about piercing, healing, and best practices in our Piercing Guide.
Flat Back Earrings Med Lightning Bolt 14k Yellow Gold Emma
The perfect gift
This was my 8yo daughter’s first piercing and she was quite scared, but Nina and Matt were kind and understanding throughout. We got her a pair of thunder earrings and a beautiful bracelet.
We had to leave the studio after her first ear was pierced because she was having a meltdown, so we grabbed lunch at the local pub and came back to get her other ear pierced, which they kindly accommodated.
Their piercing studio is clean and pristine, not sterile, but rather vibrant and welcoming. They’re friendly and familiar and very professional. The jewelry selection was exceptional, the location perfect, the shop beautiful and homey. As soon as you walk through the door you’re treated like friends and family— something rare. It was a highly-personalized and luxurious experience.
Emma loves her thunder earrings and her bracelet, but most importantly learned that she can do hard things with family and friends along the way, and she is so proud of herself for having done so! Thanks Nina and Matt ❤️
J
Flat Back Earring Heart 14k Yellow Gold Jill Rossini
Adorable
They are just perfect! My kid loves them.
P
Flat Back Earrings Diamond Bezel 2mm 14k White Gold Patricia Brophy
Perfect size and so comfy!
Love my tiny diamond studs! Great for keeping in all the time. My only complaint is that it took over a month and multiple emails for them to arrive. With the wait though.
