How to Make Metal Keychains: Easy DIY Tutorial
Making keychains at home is an easy and fun project, and yes, this includes metal keychains too. A lot of beginners hesitate when it comes to working with metal, but what if there are simple ways to make custom metal keychains all by yourself? With just a few tools and metal blanks, you can stamp names or seal full-color art onto metal keychains.
This guide walks you through two beginner-friendly methods. The first is hand stamping, and the second uses printable vinyl and UV resin. Here's a quick overview of both methods for you to choose what works best.
Choose Your Method
Hand stamping works well for names, dates, and short words. This method gives you a rustic, permanent look. You press letter punches into the metal with a hammer, and the text can never peel or fade. It works best for short phrases like a name, date, and so on. Most beginners can learn this method in one sitting.
The printable vinyl and UV resin method is better if you want a full-color design or a logo, basically if you want a lot of customization. You simply print your design on waterproof sticker paper, then stick it to the blank, and seal it with clear resin. If you have previous experience making acrylic keychains at home or other DIY projects that include printing and sealing, this method is going to be easy for you.
How to Make a Metal Keychain with Hand Stamping
Gather these materials and get ready to make amazing metal keychains with a personal touch; these are perfect for gifting.
Materials You'll Need:
● Stamping metal keychain blanks (in your favorite shape)
● Metal stamping kit (includes metal stamps, stamping hammer, and a steel bench block)
● Keychain hardware (jump rings, keyrings, etc.)
● Jewelry pliers
● Permanent marker
● Masking tape
● Rubbing alcohol and a cloth
How To:
Start by placing your bench block on a solid table or surface. A wobbly surface soaks up the force of the hammer, and your punched letters or numbers come out weak or uneven.
Wipe the keychain blank with rubbing alcohol. Then lay it flat on the bench block and apply a strip of tape across it. This will help keep the blank straight on the block; redo this step if needed throughout the process.
Take a metal stamp, and hold it upright with one hand. Rest it against the tape line, and strike once with the hammer. It should be one clean hit; hitting it twice causes a small shift, which makes the letters or numbers look blurry.
Stamp the name, a date, or whatever you want in the same process.
Once you have stamped it fully, color over the letters with a permanent marker and let it sit for a few seconds to dry.
Now, wipe only the flat surface (not the grooves) with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. All the ink on the raised metal should come off, while the ink trapped inside the grooves stays. This makes the numbers and letters stand out.
Finally, finish your keychain by adding your favorite keychain hardware with the help of jewelry pliers.
Your DIY metal keychain is now ready for use!
How to Make a Metal Keychain with Vinyl and Resin
Here are all the materials for making a metal keychain with vinyl and resin. If you do not have the protective gear mentioned below, skip this method. It's extremely important to wear proper gear and work in a well-ventilated area while working with resin.
Materials You'll Need:
● Metal keychain blanks (in your favorite shape)
● Printable waterproof vinyl sticker paper
● Inkjet printer
● Scissors or a craft knife
● Clear UV resin
● UV lamp
● Nitrile gloves
● Respirator mask
● Silicone craft mat
● Keychain hardware (jump rings, keyrings, etc.)
● Jewelry pliers
● Toothpicks
How To:
Start by designing an artwork to match your blank; make sure to leave the hole area clear. Print it on the vinyl sheet, then cut it out.
Clean the blank with rubbing alcohol if needed and let it dry. Peel the backing off your cut sticker and press it onto the blank, working from center out to push out any air bubbles.
Now, put on your gloves and mask, and work only in a well-ventilated area. Place the silicone mat down before we go to the next step.
Place your keychain on the mat, and pour only a small amount of resin onto the center of your design and spread it towards the edges with a toothpick until it forms an even layer.
If you spot any air bubbles, you can pop them with a toothpick or use a lighter two inches above the surface for a second; this pops the bubbles without touching the resin.
Set your UV lamp over the piece and cure it for two to four minutes, or for however long is mentioned on your resin packaging. Make sure to check the hole for leftover resin, and poke it clear with a needle before curing it under the lamp.
Once the resin is hard and dry, simply attach the keychain hardware with the help of jewelry pliers, and that's it; your metal keychain is ready!
Tip: While working with resin, work only in small batches and pour slowly. A thin, even layer cures way better than a thick one, and it is also easier to spread without trapping air.
Make Custom Metal Keychains With Vograce
Investing in a metal stamping kit or protective gear for resin can be costly, especially if you're not going to be using them later on. And if you would rather skip all the tools and DIY, then our custom metal keychains are what you must explore.
You upload your own artwork, choose customizations, and we will handle the rest, from making the keychain to delivering it to your doorstep.
You can choose from various sizes, styles, metal plating, and a lot more customizations. It is a solid option when you want to make a whole batch of matching keychains for yourself, for gifting, or for your small business.
