Scope boundary: This guide covers the labret category. Use the technical specifications for measurement conventions and current product pages for available variants.
Labret size chart: gauge and post length
A labret size needs two separate numbers: shaft thickness and wearable post length. A 16G × 8 mm labret has a nominal 1.2 mm shaft and an 8 mm length option; 16G does not mean a 16 mm post.
| Gauge | Nominal thickness | Listed post lengths |
|---|---|---|
| 20G | 0.8 mm | 6, 8 and 10 mm |
| 18G | 1.0 mm | 6, 8 and 10 mm |
| 16G | 1.2 mm | 6, 8 and 10 mm |
These are catalog options for the Round CZ and Pear CZ labret, checked on September 24, 2026. They are not universal placement sizes or a statement of stock availability. Confirm the selected style, size and finish on the live listing.
How to measure labret length
Measure the exposed straight post from the inside face of the flat disk to the point where the removable top seats. Exclude the disk thickness, decorative top and projecting pin or thread. Keep the supplier's drawing with the purchase record if its measurement convention differs.
6 mm vs 8 mm vs 10 mm: what changes?
At the same gauge, only the stated post-length option changes: 8 mm is 2 mm longer than 6 mm, and 10 mm is 2 mm longer than 8 mm. Base dimensions, top size and connection still require separate checks. There is no single standard labret length for every wearer or placement; an individual fit requires a professional assessment.
Vertical labret searches: a curved-barbell length is a different specification from a flat-back labret post. Consult the curved-barbell guide for its geometry and measurement convention instead of transferring this chart to a curved piece.
What a titanium labret is—and what it is not
A labret is usually built around a straight post with a flat disk on one end and a decorative or functional top on the other. The flat disk is the feature that gives the category its name in many catalogs, but it does not tell a buyer how the top attaches. A flat-back piece may be threadless, internally threaded or, in some products, fixed. Treating "flat back" as a connection description is one of the fastest ways to create incompatible inventory.
The product name also does not determine the post thickness or usable length. Two tops can look identical in a photograph while being supplied on different gauges, different post lengths or different systems. For purchasing, the visual design is only one line in a larger specification.
| Labret field | What the buyer should record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Post gauge | Gauge and millimeter equivalent | Separates 16G, 18G, 20G and other variants |
| Wearable length | Distance from the inside of the flat disk to the seating point of the top | Prevents total length from being mistaken for usable post length |
| Base | Disk diameter, thickness and profile where supplied | Affects how the SKU is identified and received |
| Connection | Threadless, internally threaded or fixed | Determines which ends can be paired with the post |
| Top | Design, outside size, setting, finish and matched SKU | Controls assortment depth and replacement planning |
| Commercial unit | Complete piece, post only, end only, and pieces per pack | Makes quotes and reorders comparable |
For studio purchasing, use "titanium labret studs" as the category term and keep the engineering fields in separate columns. That structure allows staff to search by style without losing the data needed for receiving and replenishment.
Threadless vs internally threaded inventory
Threadless titanium labrets use a fitted pin on the removable end. The pin is inserted into the hollow post and held by controlled tension. Internally threaded labrets use a threaded end that screws into a threaded cavity in the post. Both systems can support a flat-back format, but their parts should never be assumed to cross over.
| Inventory question | Threadless labret | Internally threaded labret |
|---|---|---|
| Connection record | Post SKU, pin geometry and approved end SKU | Post SKU, thread specification and approved end SKU |
| Receiving test | End seats fully and holds under the supplier's stated method | End engages smoothly, seats without a gap and does not cross-thread |
| Main mix-up risk | Similar-looking pins with different fit or tension | Threads that begin to engage but use a different diameter, pitch or depth |
| Spare-parts logic | Keep proven ends for the exact post family | Keep balls or tops matched to the exact threaded family |
| Bin label | System + gauge + post length + supplier family | System + gauge + post length + thread family |
A studio that already works mainly with one connection system usually gains more from depth than from adding a second system simply to increase design count. Depth means enough compatible posts, core lengths and replacement ends to support the styles already sold. A mixed-system assortment can still work, but it needs clear bin labels, separate reorder sheets and staff training.
When testing a new supplier, use the exact post-and-end combination that will be ordered in bulk. Do not approve compatibility because one sample "starts" to fit. A secure result should include full seating, repeatable assembly and no visible gap, damage or distortion. Record the approved pair by SKU so that future staff do not rely on memory.
Gauge, wearable length, top and pack checklist
Gauge is the thickness of the post. It is not the post length, the top size or a statement that an item is suitable for a particular client. Axis Titanium's technical specifications use the familiar conversions 16G = 1.2 mm, 18G = 1.0 mm and 20G = 0.8 mm. The live product page remains the source of truth for each available variant.
A useful labret purchase line contains the following information in one place:
- Supplier SKU or product URL.
- Material description and the document reference that supports it.
- Connection system.
- Gauge in both G and millimeters.
- Wearable post length in millimeters.
- Flat-disk diameter or base profile, when listed.
- Top design and outside size.
- Natural titanium, anodized or PVD finish as represented.
- Complete piece, post-only or end-only status.
- Pieces per pack and number of packs requested.
The commercial unit deserves special attention. A pack of five complete labrets is not equivalent to a pack of five decorative ends. A quote can look cheaper only because the backing posts are excluded. Normalize every quote to an effective cost per complete usable assembly and separately value spare posts or ends.
For 6 mm and 8 mm labrets, the number normally refers to the wearable post length under the seller's convention, not the total end-to-end dimension. The product page or drawing should show the measurement points. If a supplier uses a different convention, place that convention directly in the purchasing record.
Top dimensions also influence the assortment. A small, low-profile top and a larger cluster may share a gauge and post length but behave as different retail SKUs. Keep top size and design separate from the post specification so that decorative sales can be analyzed without fragmenting the underlying post inventory.
How to build a studio-ready labret assortment
Start with the systems the studio can assemble, explain and reorder confidently. Then use sales and service records to determine which gauges and post lengths deserve depth. A new studio should not copy a universal list; a mature studio should not keep every historical variant simply because it was once ordered.
A practical assortment has three layers:
| Layer | Purpose | Typical buying priority |
|---|---|---|
| Core posts | Verified connection system, recurring gauges and wearable lengths | Highest depth because a missing post can block several top designs |
| Core ends | Simple, proven tops in the styles most often requested | Moderate depth, matched to the core post family |
| Decorative depth | Stones, shapes, color treatments and larger designs | Added after compatibility and core size coverage are secure |
Use an inventory matrix with rows for post gauge and wearable length, then columns for system, base, top family and finish. Count complete assemblies and loose components separately. This prevents a common error: reporting ten decorative ends as ten sellable labrets when no compatible posts are available.
For planning, calculate a reorder point by SKU rather than by category name. A simple operating formula is:
Average weekly use x replenishment lead time in weeks + safety stock = reorder point.
Axis Titanium dispatch time: Orders ship within 7 calendar days after payment confirmation. Replenishment lead time includes this dispatch period plus transit, customs clearance, receiving, and any studio preparation time; the examples below describe total replenishment time.
The safety-stock value should reflect the cost of a stockout, lead-time variation and pack rounding. For example, if a specific 16G x 8 mm post uses four pieces per week, the confirmed replenishment time is three weeks and the studio keeps six pieces as safety stock, the calculated reorder point is eighteen pieces. If the supplier sells packs of five, the purchase quantity must be rounded to a practical pack multiple. This is a hypothetical planning example, not a universal recommendation.
Review the matrix after the first complete sales cycle. Increase depth only where the post, end and connection records show real use. Move slow decorative tops to a smaller test quantity, but avoid cutting core posts so aggressively that several top styles become unusable. The objective is not the largest labret catalog; it is a reliable, compatible assortment that can be explained and reordered without guesswork.
Frequently asked questions
What should a studio verify before buying titanium labrets?
Verify the exact SKU, material representation, connection system, gauge, wearable post length, base profile, top size, finish and pack quantity. For removable parts, record the approved post-and-end pairing. Also confirm whether the listing is for a complete labret, a post only or an end only.
Can threadless and threaded parts be mixed?
No. Threadless and internally threaded parts use different connection principles. Even parts within the same broad system are not automatically universal. Use supplier-confirmed pairs or test and record the exact post-and-end combination before placing a bulk order.
Which product fields should appear on a wholesale quote?
A useful quote should show the supplier SKU, full variant description, connection system, gauge, wearable length, top or base details, finish, pieces per pack, number of packs, quantity tier, lead time, destination and any requested material or inspection documentation.
Next step for wholesale buyers
Build the buying brief before choosing decorative styles. Separate threadless and internally threaded inventory, confirm the post-length convention and normalize every pack to complete pieces. Then use the live product pages to verify current variants and supporting documentation. Browse titanium labrets or request wholesale pricing for the exact gauges, lengths, systems and pack quantities required by your studio.
Plan replenishment with the studio restock guide and compare the related category guide.
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