Look closely at the most stylish individuals on the streets of London today—from the creative hubs of Shoreditch to the elegant avenues of Chelsea—and you’ll notice a subtle yet striking trend in body art: the stacked lobe. This delicate, intentional clustering of piercings has become the new signature of understated elegance. It moves beyond a simple second or third piercing, transforming the earlobe into a canvas for personal expression and intricate design.
However, the delicate beauty of a perfect stacked lobe belies the incredible precision required to create it. It is an art form where millimetres matter. We recently had a client, Amelia, who came to us with a single, beloved lobe piercing she’d had for years. She wanted to “add something more” but was worried about it looking random or crowded. She initially thought she’d just add another hole above her first. During her consultation, our specialist took the time to understand her vision for a “celestial” theme. Instead of just adding one piercing, we mapped out a tiny, three-point constellation that worked with the unique curve of her earlobe. Using two new piercings and her existing one as the anchor, we created a design that was uniquely hers. Her delight at seeing how a thoughtful design could completely elevate her look is the essence of what we do.
This guide is for anyone considering a stacked lobe London. It’s an exploration of the art of custom design, a deep dive into the importance of professional placement, and your first step towards creating a look that is as unique as you are.
Custom Stacked Lobe Design
What Exactly is a Stacked Lobe Piercing? Deconstructing the Trend
The stacked lobe is more than just multiple piercings; it’s the intentional, artful arrangement of two or more piercings in close proximity on the earlobe, designed to be worn with small, complementary jewellery.1
Beyond a Simple Second Lobe
While a second lobe piercing is a step towards building a collection, a “stack” is a design concept. It’s the difference between placing two picture frames on a wall and curating a gallery wall where the frames interact to create a single, cohesive piece of art. This approach requires an expert eye to ensure the spacing is perfect and the final look is balanced and chic, not cluttered.
Popular Stacked Lobe Formations
The beauty of a custom stack is that it can be anything you want it to be. However, there are a few popular formations that serve as excellent inspiration:
- The Classic Vertical Stack: This involves placing two, three, or even four piercings in a straight vertical line ascending the lobe. It’s clean, elegant, and allows for a beautiful gradient effect with different sized studs.
- The Triangle or Trilogy Stack: A small, three-piercing triangle is one of the most sought-after designs. It adds a touch of geometric flair and looks stunning with a mix of tiny gems and metal beads.
- The Constellation Stack: This is where the artistry truly shines. A constellation piercing is a more organic, scattered placement of tiny studs designed to mimic a star constellation.2 It’s entirely personalised and dependent on the unique canvas of your earlobe.
Custom Stacked Lobe Design
Why Anatomy is Still King
Even on the soft and forgiving earlobe, anatomy is crucial for a successful stacked lobe London project. The size, shape, and thickness of your earlobe will determine how many piercings can be safely and beautifully accommodated. Our specialists will assess your unique anatomy to ensure the design we create is not only stunning but also viable for long-term health and comfort.
The Art of Custom Design: Why a “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach Fails
The magic of a truly beautiful stacked lobe is in its customisation. This is not a piercing you can get from a catalogue; it must be designed for your ear. At PinkTatPier, we are not just piercers; we are designers.
The Consultation: Your Vision, Our Expertise
Every great design starts with a conversation. Your free consultation is the most important step in the process. We will:
- Discuss Your Vision: We want to see your inspiration, understand your personal style, and hear what you want your piercings to say about you.
- Assess Your Anatomy: We’ll look at your ear’s unique shape and any existing piercings to see how we can best work with them.
- Plan for the Future: Are you planning more cartilage piercings later? We’ll design your stack in a way that will complement your future plans, ensuring a cohesive “Curated Ear” project down the line.
Custom Stacked Lobe Design
Mapping & Precision Placement: The Millimetre Game
Once we have a vision, we begin the mapping process. Using a sterile surgical marker, we will place small dots on your ear to represent the piercings. This allows you to see the design in real-time and make adjustments. A few millimetres can make the difference between a chic stack and a crowded mistake, and our specialists have the trained eye to ensure every placement is perfect.
Curating Your Jewellery
The jewellery is an integral part of the design. For a stacked lobe London look to succeed, the jewellery must be chosen to work together. We will help you select from our collection of the world’s finest jewellery—tiny gems, polished gold balls, and unique celestial shapes from brands like BVLA and Anatometal—to ensure your stack is stunning from day one.
The Piercing Process & Healing: What to Expect
A custom design deserves a flawless execution. We ensure the piercing process is as safe, comfortable, and precise as the design itself.
The Procedure
We exclusively use single-use, hollow needles for every piercing. This technique is far superior to piercing guns, providing a precise, clean channel that results in less trauma and a smoother healing process. The piercings are performed quickly and expertly to minimise discomfort.
Healing Multiple Piercings at Once
Healing two or three piercings in close proximity requires diligent aftercare. The initial healing period for lobe piercings is typically 6-8 weeks, but it’s important to be gentle with the area and follow all aftercare instructions to the letter to avoid irritation between the sites.
Custom Stacked Lobe Design
The Downsizing Appointment: A Crucial Step
We will use jewellery with slightly longer posts for your initial piercings to accommodate for swelling. It is crucial that you return to our studio after 6-8 weeks for a check-up and to have the posts downsized to a snugger fit. This prevents the longer posts from snagging and causing irritation, which is especially important for a stacked lobe London piercing.
Understanding Price and Getting Your Custom Quote
Transparency is key. While the final price of a custom project depends on your choices, we can provide a clear breakdown of how our pricing works.
The cost is calculated based on two main components: the piercing service fee (which is per piercing) and the cost of the jewellery you select. Our consultations for custom design are always complimentary.
Table: Stacked Lobe Pricing Components
| Service Component | Description | Price (from) |
| Custom Design Consultation | A 15-minute styling and anatomy assessment with a specialist to map out your project. | Free |
| Lobe Piercing (per point) | Each piercing is performed with a sterile needle and includes aftercare solution. | £35 |
| Standard Jewellery | Includes a basic, implant-grade titanium, internally threaded labret stud. | Included |
| Decorative Jewellery Upgrade | Option to upgrade to precious gems, unique shapes, or solid 14k/18k gold ends. | + £15 and up (per piece) |
Custom Stacked Lobe Design
How to Get Your Personalised Price Quote
- Gather Your Inspiration: Collect a few images of styles you love.
- Book Your Free Consultation: Use our online system to book a “Piercing Consultation” with one of our London specialists.
- Design & Decide: During your consultation, we will finalise the design and help you choose your jewellery. We will then provide you with a detailed, no-obligation price quote for your custom project before we proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How close together can stacked lobe piercings be?
This is highly dependent on your anatomy and the size of the jewellery ends you choose. Our specialists will ensure there is enough space for each piercing to heal properly and for the jewellery to sit comfortably without overlapping or causing pressure on the neighbouring sites.
2. Can you work with my existing lobe piercing to create a stack?
Absolutely! This is one of our favourite projects. We can assess your existing placement and design a beautiful stack around it to give it new life and create a more intentional look.
3. What is the best jewellery for a new stacked lobe?
We exclusively use small, flat-back labret studs for healing new stacks. The flat backs are comfortable and less prone to snagging. We have a huge variety of tiny, beautiful ends (from simple beads to tiny gems and shapes) in implant-grade titanium and solid gold to start your project off in style.
Conclusion: Your Style, Elevated
A stacked lobe London piercing is more than a trend; it’s a testament to the idea that beauty lies in the details. It’s a subtle yet powerful form of self-expression that proves that even the simplest canvas—the earlobe—can become a work of art. But like any work of art, it requires a skilled hand and a creative eye. Professional design and precision placement are not luxuries; they are necessities for a look that is sophisticated, balanced, and effortlessly chic.
Custom Stacked Lobe Design
Your Next Step: Contact Our Professional London Piercers
You have the vision. We have the expertise. Let’s bring them together.
If you are ready to design your own custom stacked lobe, we invite you to take the first step. Contact our professional London piercers by booking a complimentary consultation through our online system. We will work with you to create your unique design and provide a personalised price quote.
