What it does
An ear form is a shaped ear that earrings are hung on, so a drop hangs at its real angle and a stud sits where it will actually sit. A pair on a flat card tells a customer almost nothing about how they will look.
Velvet on a ear form, specifically
The lobe of a velvet ear form takes a post cleanly and the pile closes behind it, so the form does not show a row of old holes after a season. That is the practical reason velvet is still standard here.
Getting the proportion right
The lobe has to be pierceable or pre-holed, and the thickness matters — a form thicker than an ear holds a post at the wrong angle and a drop hangs away from the face.
How velvet is applied to a display form
Velvet is glued over the form and the pile has to run the same way on every face, or one side of the same block reads darker than the other. On a curved form it is cut in panels rather than stretched, because pile flattens where it is pulled.
Where it is used
Earring counters and windows, particularly for drops and statement pieces where the hang is the whole point.
Velvet under case lighting
Pile absorbs light instead of bouncing it, so a velvet display sinks into the background and the piece on it becomes the brightest thing in the case. It also means the display itself photographs dark, which suits a shop and not a catalogue shot.
The mistake to avoid
Forms in a hard material cannot take a post at all, so the lobe has to be a faced soft insert. That is an easy detail to leave off a drawing and an obvious one on the sample.
Why velvet
Velvet-covered display reads as traditional and formal. The pile absorbs light rather than reflecting it, so the piece on top is the brightest thing in the case.
The pile shows handling and dust. Velvet display belongs behind glass, brushed regularly; on an open counter it ages faster than suede.
What we need from you
| What we need | Why |
|---|---|
| Height and footprint | The lobe has to be pierceable or pre-holed, and the thickness matters — a form thicker than an ear holds a post at the wrong angle and a drop hangs away from the face. |
| Velvet colour | Matched to a Pantone reference or a swatch |
| Velvet on this form | The lobe of a velvet ear form takes a post cleanly and the pile closes behind it, so the form does not show a row of old holes after a season. |
Frequently asked questions
Can ear forms be made in our brand colour?
Yes — the velvet is matched to a Pantone reference or a physical swatch, and confirmed on a sample.
What sizes do ear forms come in?
They are made to your dimensions. The lobe has to be pierceable or pre-holed, and the thickness matters — a form thicker than an ear holds a post at the wrong angle and a drop hangs away from the face.
Is velvet a good choice for a ear form?
The lobe of a velvet ear form takes a post cleanly and the pile closes behind it, so the form does not show a row of old holes after a season. That is the practical reason velvet is still standard here.
What goes wrong most often with ear forms?
Forms in a hard material cannot take a post at all, so the lobe has to be a faced soft insert. That is an easy detail to leave off a drawing and an obvious one on the sample.
Can ear forms be made to match our boxes?
Yes — the same velvet and the same colour across boxes and display, ordered in one run.
Specify your ear forms
Tell us your case or window height, what the ear forms have to show, and your brand colour. We’ll send photos of our work and one clear, all-in quote.