Best keychain blanks for laser engraving
Keychains are the perfect starter product: €0.30–1 blank, €6–12 sale, 30–90 seconds of laser time, and every diode can do them. Here's what to buy and what to put on them.
Blank types compared
| Blank | Engrave | Laser | Cost each (bulk) | Sells for | Best designs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (basswood/bamboo/walnut) | Dark crisp mark | Any diode/CO2 | €0.20–0.50 | €5–9 | Names, coordinates, pet faces, logos |
| Clear / colour acrylic | Frosted; colour-fill optional | CO2 to cut; diode engraves opaque/pre-cut | €0.30–0.80 | €6–12 | Photos (line-art), initials, glow edge |
| Leather (veg-tan) strap/tag | Dark burn | Any | €0.50–1 | €8–15 | Monograms, dates, car logos |
| Anodised aluminium tag | Silver on colour | Any diode (it's marking) | €0.40–1 | €8–14 | Pet tags, QR, EDC |
| Slate / stone | White mark | Any | €0.80–1.50 | €8–12 | Memorials, coordinates |
| Stainless (needs spray / fiber) | Dark mark | CO2+spray / fiber | €0.50–1 | €10–18 | Premium EDC, corporate |
Wood keychain blanks: Check price on Amazon ↗
Acrylic keychain blanks: Check price on Amazon ↗
Leather keychain blanks: Check price on Amazon ↗
Anodised aluminium tags: Check price on Amazon ↗
Rings, jump rings, tassels: Check price on Amazon ↗
Designs that sell
- Names + birth date/zodiac · GPS coordinates of a place · Pet portrait line-art from a photo · "Drive safe" car keychains · Couples set (two halves) · Sports team/club bulk orders · Company logo + QR (B2B, 100+ units) · Graduation year · Hotel/Airbnb room tags · Teacher/nurse gifts · Fishing/hunting tags.
Workflow for volume
- Make a jig (cut from 3 mm ply) holding 20–50 blanks — engrave a full sheet in one job.
- Use LightBurn/XCS variable text or a names CSV to batch personalisation.
- Price: blank + 1 min machine time + 1 min handling + ring + packaging ≈ €1.20–2 cost → €6–12 price. Bulk B2B: €3–5 each at 100+.
- Time per batch: engraving time calculator.
FAQ
What is the best material for laser engraved keychains?
Wood (basswood/bamboo) for the cheapest, highest-contrast result on any laser; acrylic for a premium/glow look; anodised aluminium for durability and pet tags. Most shops stock all three.
Can a diode laser make acrylic keychains?
It can engrave opaque or two-tone acrylic and pre-cut clear blanks, but can't cut clear acrylic. Buy pre-cut acrylic blanks or use a CO2 laser.
How much should I charge for an engraved keychain?
€6–12 retail for a personalised single; €3–5 each for bulk corporate orders of 100+. Cost is typically €1.20–2 including blank, ring, machine time and packaging.
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