Tutorial · Keychains
How to make name keychains that do not snap
WeldWords makes the welded name, ring hole, sizing and batch sheet in one workflow; this tutorial explains why each choice matters before you cut. It covers font choice, connection strength, dot and accent attachment, real sizing, and batching a whole keychain order.
7 minute read · Free to follow · 2 free batch exports + 1 free single export included
Short answer
A name keychain needs a welded one-piece outline, a hole big enough for the ring, and a real finished size. WeldWords handles the weld, ring hole, sizing and batch nesting in the maker, then exports SVG or DXF for your laser or cutter.
Built into WeldWords
WeldWords welds each keychain name into one piece, adds the ring hole, keeps dots and accents attached, sizes the design in real units, and nests full customer batches onto sheets.
The tutorial explains what WeldWords is doing for you, plus what to check before you cut.
What you need
- A laser or blade cutter
- Keychain hardware (split rings or clasps)
- Plywood, acrylic or leather for blanks
- WeldWords for welding, holes and batch nesting
Step by step
Step 1
Choose a readable, sturdy font
Thin scripts look elegant but snap under keychain abuse. Pick a script or block font whose strokes stay above about 2 mm at keychain size, or use a bolder weight. In WeldWords you can preview each name in thousands of fonts before exporting.
Step 2
Type the name and let it weld into one piece
A keychain has to be a single connected piece, so the whole name must weld into one outline. WeldWords welds as you type, and every connection is visible on the canvas, so you can see weak spots before cutting.
Step 3
Add a keychain hole and size the ring
Select the name and turn on the keychain ring. Use the Ring size slider to match your hardware — a standard 10 mm split ring needs a hole about 4–5 mm across, and a chunky lobster clasp needs more. The ring is drawn as part of the same cut path.
Step 4
Move the hole where it will not weaken the name
A hole in the first or last letter looks neat but eats the thin stroke that holds the name together. Place the hole above the name, in a thick capital tail, or in a dedicated tab so the cut path stays strong where the letters meet.
Step 5
Keep the thinnest join thicker than your material
Zoom in on every connection, especially capital-to-lowercase and dot joins. The thinnest point should be at least as thick as your material, and thicker for 3 mm acrylic that cracks easily. Widen bridges or increase stroke weight until it holds.
Step 6
Bridge every dot and accent
Loose dots on i and j, and accents on names like Sofía or Zoë, will be lost the moment the cut finishes. Bridge each one to its letter, or they end up on the floor of the laser bed instead of in the finished keychain.
Step 7
Set the real finished height in millimetres
Enter the actual keychain size — about 25–40 mm tall for most names. WeldWords writes true-millimetre SVG and DXF, so the file imports at that exact size in Glowforge, LightBurn, xTool and Design Space with no rescaling.
Step 8
Cut a one-name test before the whole batch
Send one name to the laser on scrap. Bend the finished piece by hand at the joins and around the hole. If it holds, the rest of the batch will hold; if it snaps, widen the joins or the hole and re-export.
Step 9
Batch the whole order onto sheets
Paste the full list of names, set the sheet size to your material (default 11.8 × 19.7 in / 299.7 × 500.4 mm, switchable to inches), and let WeldWords nest every name at its real size. Overflow spills onto extra sheets, and you export each sheet separately.
Tips that save material and time
- Standard 10 mm split rings need a hole about 4–5 mm; measure your actual hardware.
- Place the hole in a dedicated tab, not inside a thin letter stroke.
- 3 mm acrylic cracks at thin joins — keep connections thicker than the material.
- Bridge every dot and accent before exporting; loose ones are lost for good.
- Test one name before committing a full customer batch.
- Default sheet is 299.7 × 500.4 mm; switch to inches if you cut imperial stock.
Questions people ask
How thick should laser-cut keychains be?
3 mm plywood or acrylic is the common choice for durability without being too heavy. 2 mm flexes and snaps sooner; 5–6 mm is chunky but nearly indestructible.
What size should the hole be?
Match your hardware. A 10 mm split ring fits a 4–5 mm hole; a lobster clasp needs a larger one. Always measure the actual ring or clasp before cutting.
Can I make keychains on a Cricut?
Yes, in knife-blade material like basswood or chipboard. WeldWords exports a welded SVG that imports into Design Space as one piece, so the weld is already done.
How do I cut a batch of keychains efficiently?
Paste the whole name list into the batch tool, set your sheet size, and let it nest every name at its real finished size. Overflow goes onto extra sheets you export one at a time.
Do it now instead of reading about it
Type the word, let it weld, export the production file. Try 2 free batch exports and 1 single export, shared per account and internet connection.
Try it in the maker