Custom Keychains
3D Keychain
A 3D keychain is a die struck metal charm with real relief on both faces, fitted to a split ring or chain.
Overview
Product Overview
A 3D keychain is a die struck metal charm with real relief on both faces, fitted to a split ring or chain. Unlike a flat printed fob, the shape is cut into the die itself, so depth, undercuts and rounded forms survive into the finished piece. That makes it the right choice when the object being represented is three dimensional in the first place, a piece of sports equipment, a tool, a vehicle or a mascot. Minimum order is 100 pieces per design, with production generally 10-15 days after sample approval.
Why It Works
Key Benefits
- Real relief on both faces, so the charm reads as an object rather than a token
- Struck metal survives being carried in a pocket with keys and coins every day
- Stays in a customer's hand long after a printed giveaway is thrown away
- Split ring, chain or clasp fitted to suit how the keys are actually carried
- Same plating range as our pins, so a mixed order arrives visually consistent
Where It Is Used
Application Scenarios
Sports club merchandise shaped as the equipment of the sport
Trade show giveaways that visitors keep instead of discarding
Tourist and destination souvenirs sold at attractions and gift shops
Vehicle, tool and equipment brand merchandise for dealer networks
Membership tokens carried daily rather than worn on a lapel
Fit
Who It Is For And What It Fixes
Who It Is For
- Merchandise buyers for clubs, attractions and visitor sites
- Marketing teams looking for a trade show giveaway with a long shelf life
- Distributors quoting branded keychains against a set unit price
- Organisations issuing a carried token rather than a worn badge
Problems It Solves
- Printed plastic fobs crack and fade, and get thrown away within months
- Flat charms cannot represent a three dimensional object convincingly
- Giveaways that look cheap reflect on the brand handing them out
- Rings and clasps that fail put the customer's keys at risk
Construction
Technical Features
- Charm die struck with relief on both faces from a steel mould
- Solid metal body rather than a plated plastic core
- Polished and plated after striking so edges stay smooth in a pocket
- Split ring, ball chain or clasp attached and checked for strength
- Optional enamel colour filled into recessed areas
Data
Specifications
| Minimum Order | 100 pieces per design |
|---|---|
| Base Metal | Brass, iron or zinc alloy depending on the form |
| Relief | Three dimensional, struck on both faces |
| Finish Options | Plain polished, enamel filled or antique |
| Plating Options | Gold, silver, nickel, black nickel, antique finishes |
| Attachment Options | Split ring, ball chain or clasp |
| Artwork Formats | Adobe Illustrator preferred; JPG, PNG or PDF accepted |
| Sample Lead Time | 3-5 days |
| Production Lead Time | 10-15 days |
Making It
Materials And Manufacturing
Materials
- Brass where fine relief and weight in the hand matter
- Iron for simpler flat-backed charms at lower unit cost
- Zinc alloy where the form is too deep or undercut to strike from sheet
- Enamel colour matched to the reference supplied with the artwork
Manufacturing Process
- Artwork and form review
- Steel die cutting
- Striking or casting
- Trimming and deburring
- Polishing
- Optional enamel filling
- Plating
- Ring or chain assembly
- Attachment strength check
- Inspection and packing
Control
Quality And Customization
Quality Control
- Vector proof approved by the buyer before the die is cut
- Pre-production sample approved before mass production starts
- Colour checked against the approved reference while the pieces are filled
- Every piece checked for surface faults, plating marks and attachment strength before packing
- Split rings and clasps pull tested before packing so keys cannot come loose
Customization Options
- Charm shape modelled from your own artwork or product
- Split ring, ball chain or clasp chosen to suit how the keys are carried
- Plain polished, enamel filled or antique finish
- Plating matched across a mixed order of pins, coins and keychains
- Backstamp or logo struck into the reverse face
- Poly bag, backing card or box packing for retail display
Trade-offs
Compared With Other Options
| Flat printed keyfob | A struck charm has real depth and lasts for years; a printed fob is cheaper per piece |
|---|---|
| Soft enamel keychain | Soft enamel gives colour on a flat face; 3D striking gives form without relying on colour |
| Lapel pin | A keychain is carried daily but seen less; a pin is displayed but only while worn |
| Acrylic charm | Acrylic prints photographs cheaply; metal survives a pocket full of keys |
Practical Notes
Use Guide
- Send reference photographs of the object from several angles, not just a logo
- Keep the finished size in proportion to a pocket, since weight is a real constraint
- Choose a welded split ring where the keychain will carry a heavy set of keys
- Check the sample on an actual keyring before approving mass production
- Specify backing cards if the keychains will be sold rather than handed out
See Also
Related Products
Hard Enamel Pins
Silkscreen Lapel Pin
Handles fine detail, small text and gradients that enamel cannot reproduce
View Product →
Hard Enamel Pins
Transparent Color Pin
Clear epoxy coating protects the enamel color from everyday handling and display wear
View Product →
Offset Printed Pins
Offset Printing Pin
Reproduces full-colour gradients and photographic detail without needing separate metal lines for each colour
View Product →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order for custom keychains?
100 pieces per design.
Can you make a keychain shaped like our product?
Yes. Send photographs from several angles along with any drawing you have, and the die is cut from that rather than from a stock shape.
How long will a keychain order take?
Samples generally 3-5 days and mass production generally 10-15 days after sample approval.
Can the keychains match pins from the same order?
Yes. Both are made here, so plating and enamel colours can be carried across the whole order and shipped together.
What artwork do you need from me?
Adobe Illustrator vector files are best, because the die is cut from outlines. JPG, PNG and PDF are accepted too, and we redraw them when the detail needs it.
Can I change the design once production has started?
Sometimes. Depending on how far the run has gone it may be free or chargeable, because a die that has been cut cannot be altered.
How are the goods shipped?
By FedEx, UPS or DHL, chosen to suit the destination and the deadline.
Get A Price For 3D Keychain
Send the artwork and the quantity and we will price 3d keychain against your design. Minimum 100 pieces.