Tutorial
How to make name keychains that don't snap
A keychain gets thrown in bags, sat on, and yanked off ignition keys. This guide covers the design decisions that decide whether yours survives, and how to cut a whole order at once.
6 minute read · Free to follow · Two free word downloads included
What you need
- A name or list of names
- Material: 3 mm ply, acrylic or leather
- Split rings or jump rings
- A cutter that imports SVG or DXF
Step by step
Step 1
Choose a font with weight to spare
Hairline scripts look beautiful on screen and break in a pocket. Pick a script with a consistent stroke, or increase the stroke thickness so the thinnest part survives daily use.
Step 2
Weld the name into one piece
Every letter must be connected. A keychain made of separate letters has nothing holding it together once it leaves the cutting bed.
Step 3
Set the real finished size
Most name keychains land between 50 and 90 mm wide, or 2 to 3.5 inches. Set the width before exporting so the file cuts at the size you intend.
Step 4
Place the ring hole in solid material
Put the hole through a thick part of the first or last letter, or through an added tag or underline bar. A hole in a thin stroke is a guaranteed break point.
Step 5
Match the hole to the hardware
A 3 mm hole suits most split rings; 4 to 5 mm suits jump rings and lobster clasps. Cut one test piece before committing a sheet.
Step 6
Batch the whole order onto one sheet
Paste every name at once, keep each one its real size, and nest them to use the material efficiently. Overflow flows onto additional sheets automatically.
Tips that save material and time
- Acrylic snaps where wood only bends — go thicker on the joins for acrylic.
- Round the end of the underline bar so it does not dig into a pocket.
- Cut one of the longest names first; if it survives a bend test, the rest will.
- Offer a few set sizes rather than sizing every order by hand.
Questions people ask
What size hole should a keychain have?
Around 3 mm for split rings and 4 to 5 mm for jump rings or clasps. Always test one before cutting a full sheet.
Which material is strongest for name keychains?
Hardwood and thick acrylic outperform thin plywood. Whichever you use, the thinnest connection point decides the strength.
Can I cut fifty different names at once?
Yes. Paste the list, weld every name, add the holes, nest the sheet, and export one file per material sheet.
Do it now instead of reading about it
Type the word, let it weld, download the file. Two words are free.
Try it in the maker