How to Make and Sell Custom Keychains

Small, customizable, functional, and fun, custom keychains are a popular accessory for people of all ages. For content creators, keychains can also make for a great marketing tool. In this article, we’ll jump into the world of custom keychains, and how you can create and sell them to establish your own keychain business, or add this appealing product to your existing merch line.

Why Are Keychains A Great Merch Idea?

They're Versatile

Keychains are versatile in both design and functionality. They can be crafted in various sizes, shapes, colors, and textures, giving creators endless opportunities to create unique designs - you can make acrylic keychains, leather keychains, beaded keychains, plush, crocheted, fabric, or resin keychains. They also serve extra purposes in addition to holding keys - they can also be attached to a bag or used as a  backpack charm, a club key, or simply as a fun decoration.

They're Affordable

Not only are custom keychains easy to make, but they're also affordable to produce; this makes them an accessible option for smaller creators and for those on a tight budget, as you can opt to create them one at a time, make several at once (using molds/forms), or preorder them from keychain manufacturers in small, easy to budget quantities.

They Can Foster Connection

Custom keychains that showcase specific brands, designs, or sayings can be meaningful to fans and followers, giving content creators another way to connect with the fans and followers. This can also increase brand loyalty, as fans are more likely to purchase merchandise when they feel a connection to the creator as well as simply liking and enjoying the product design. And they can be great promotion/advertisement, as well!

How To Make A Beaded DIY Keychain 

Beaded keychains are an easy and fun way to get started in keychain making, and can be customized to your liking. Let's look at the steps for making them:

1. Gather Materials 

To craft DIY beaded keychains, you'll need a base of wire or keychain cord, and a package of keychain rings or clasps. For the keychain designs, the only real limits are your creativity. 

You can use a wide variety of beads to craft your colorful designs: try pony beads, crystal or gemstone beads, glass beads, wooden beads that you can paint with your own designs, or letter beads to spell out words or names. Other helpful tools would be a small dish or tray to keep the beads from spilling, a scissors or clipper to cut the base material, and a crimper if you're using any crimping tubes or beads. 

2. Sketch Out Your Design 

Deciding how you want your DIY beaded keychain to look is the next step! You can just go with the flow and add beads onto your base wire/cord in any way you'd like, or if you have specific designs in mind, you can either sketch them on paper, or arrange them on your workspace in the order you want to string them onto the base. Planning ahead is especially helpful if you're crafting keychains with themes or words.

3. Prepare the Base

Cut your base wire/cord at the length you'd like for your keychain, and position your keyring or clasp in center of your wire or cord, attaching and securing it with a knot or a crimp bead where you want your beaded design to start.

4. String the Beads 

Start beading onto your wire or cord, sliding the beads onto it as you go to create your DIY beaded keychain. This is the really fun part - follow your design pattern for a consistent, polished look; or simply alternate colors and types of beads to create informal patterns. To customize your design even more, use spacers and accents in between your beads. 

5. Complete Your Design

Once you have reached your desired length and amount of beads, finish the end of your beaded strand with a knot, crimp bead, or loop it back around to the keyring itself. 

6. Embellish!

Now that your DIY beaded keychain is completed, you can take it up a notch by attaching any other embellishments you might like; these could include extra charms, a tassel, a special clasp, or even a second strand of beads.

How To Make A DIY Resin Keychain 

DIY resin keychains are another great option to sell online, especially if you like a modern, sleek look that's easy to customize and decorate. Here's how to create one.

1. Collect the Items Needed 

You'll need a silicone mold in the shape(s) of the DIY resin keychains you wish to make, and a keychain ring to attach to the finished keychain bauble. You'll also need a DIY resin kit - which consists of two parts, the resin itself and the hardener; these are liquid, and will solidify when mixed together. 

And, last but not least, any additional decorations you wish to add, like any colorants, glitter, shimmer powders, gold leaf, rhinestones, dried flowers (not fresh, as they will eventually spoil the resin), or miniature charms. Other helpful items might include wooden stirrers for mixing; disposable pipettes for pouring the resin into the molds; toothpicks, tweezers, and a small bladed knife for detail work; a hand drill to help attach the keychain rings; and gloves/mask if you're sensitive to the resin ingredients.

2. Prepare the Mold 

Arrange your keychain-creating supplies in a relatively dust-free work space, make sure your mold(s) are clean and free of any debris, and (if needed) spray the mold with a release agent before you start your resin project.

3. Mix the Resin 

Follow the instructions on the resin kit to mix it thoroughly and slowly; each type of resin will have different ratios. Once the resin is thoroughly mixed and visibly free of streaks, it's ready to be customized.

4. Add in Color 

Add pigments or dyes to the resin according to your desired design, and stir until the color is evenly distributed and all powder or liquids have been dissolved into the resin.

5. Time to Mold!

Pour the resin mixture into your silicone mold, filling it nearly to the top. At this step, you'll have between 15-25 minutes to add in any extras, such as rhinestones, charms, shimmer, or dried flowers. You can also carefully pop any air bubbles in the still-liquid resin with the help of a toothpick.

6. Allow to Cure 

Leave the resin to cure for the recommended amount of time (see your resin's directions) and avoid touching the mold while it's drying; most resins will completely cure within 24 hours.

7. Demold 

After the resin has cured, carefully pop your DIY resin design out of the mold from the reverse side; if you have difficulties, use a silicone release spray to help loosen the keychain from the mold.

8. Trim if Needed

If you notice any extra resin around the edges of your keychain, or any other minor imperfections, you can use a small-bladed knife to trim them at this point; your DIY resin keychain should already be cured and shiny without any need for polishing.

9. Add the Key Ring

Directly after your resin design has been demolded and trimmed (while it's still fairly easy to work with), carefully drill a small hole into the top of your resin keychain, where you would like to attach the keychain ring. You should be able to easily attach the key ring by screwing it into the drilled hole, and your resin keychain is complete!

How to Customize Acrylic Keychains on Fourthwall

You can design acrylic keychains to sell online for little effort and far less steps, thanks to Fourthwall. All you have to do is upload your own acrylic keychain artwork, plus reference images and the shape, size, and anticipated price point of each acrylic keychain you wish to create. After that, you only need to secure 50 acrylic keychain preorders for Fourthwall's product experts to launch your new custom acrylic keychain product on your very own Fourthwall store! 

How To Sell Keychains Online

Now that you have made your keychains, here are some ideas for where to sell them:

E-commerce Platforms 

Whether you're selling acrylic keychains, beaded keychains, embarking upon a resin project, or trying other DIY options like leather keychains, plush, crocheted, or fabric options, there are a whole host of ecommerce platforms out there like Etsy or Redbubble that offer easy-to-use storefronts, exposure, and a wider audience. Fourthwall is a great option among these because, as mentioned above, it enables you to create and deliver personalized keychains to buyers without the need to handmake them; and you can expand your sales and social networks using Fourthwall's many other features and tools, plus a whole wealth of additional customizable merch products.

‍‍Social Media Selling 

You can sell keychains and other merch through your social media channels, especially if you have a large following on Instagram or are qualified to use TikTok Shop or YouTube's product shelf. Fourthwall also offers options to integrate your Fourthwall shop with your socials, to maximize your potential customer base. 

Engaging with Your Online Community 

Engage with your supporters by offering exclusive promotions or products; you could have special editions of your keychains, for instance collectible drops that are only available to purchase by your supporters or community members. Fourthwall offers tools to set up these options and more through its exclusive membership program.

Sell Your Keychains With FourthWall! 

Fourthwall offers creators a comprehensive suite of features and tools to build your online store and create high-quality merch, selling keychains and much more to your supporters. Acrylic keychains made through Fourthwall are high quality merchandise at an affordable price point, or you can bring your own original hand-crafted creations, whether beaded, resin, crocheted, or otherwise, to the party and sell those through your Fourthwall store, as well.

Fourthwall's membership program also provides flexibility and exclusive features that content creators can use to maximize their merchandise sales. With Fourthwall, creators can easily get started, and ensure they'll be selling well crafted customized keychains and other merch to their supporters, increasing brand loyalty, online engagement, and revenue.