A Step-by-Step Guide with Leash and Lockets: Designing and Creating Custom Keychains of your Pet
Are you thinking of starting a small business or looking for inspiration on future projects? Or maybe you are a pet lover looking for a way to commemorate your beloved pet, well custom keychains offer a unique and personalized touch. Leash and Lockets offers a variety of products that make the perfect gift for loved ones or anyone looking to add a sentimental component to your keys. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of creating custom keychains using Adobe software and a laser cutter.
At Leash and Lockets, we specialize in creating custom acrylic keychains of varying shapes, styles, and colors. Leash and Lockets is set apart by their commitment to quality and attention to detail. Through the processes we have trialed and proved to be the most effective and our background in Adobe we ensure that each keychain is a true work of art. Our knowledge in this software allows us to remove backgrounds in Photoshop and image trace in Illustrator. Leash and Lockets has decided to use acrylic as our primary material in keychains due to the appreciation of how well it can be etched and the large variety of colors. These two qualities are crucial to craft the perfect keychain and to match any individual’s style or personality. Custom keychains are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Leash and Lockets provides customers the ability to look at their keys and instantly think of their furry friend and their cherished memories together. In this guide, we will be focusing on the three phases of the keychain making process including: designing and editing the photo for the keychain, using the laser cutter, and final alterations.
1. Designing and editing the photo for the keychain:
The photo editing process is perhaps the most important part of the keychain making process as the finalized AI file will determine how the product prints. The process begins with selecting the photo of choice, this may include an outline of the shape of your pet or a specific shape that may be altered by adding text or simple visuals such as etching of ears. After you have your selected photo, brainstorm what you want your finished product to look like. This is perhaps the most difficult part as customization allows for a world of possibilities. At Leash and Lockets, some of our most popular keychains include an outlined shape of a pet, a vectorized shape resembling their ears, their name in a desired shape, and so much more. While our company makes custom products of pets, your boundaries do not limit you there. The process you will be reading about does not only pertain to pet oriented keychains but is limitless and can be modeled after any passion or likes you have. Despite this, for the purpose of this blog we will only be talking about a keychain designed to resemble an outline of a pet based off a photo.
Once your photo is selected, bring the file into Adobe Photoshop to remove the background. Removing the background is possible on Illustrator, however, Photoshop’s Magic Wand Tool makes the job easy and fast. After deleting your background and anything not wanted in the keychain, copy the file into Adobe Illustrator.
Now that your design is ready, it is time to vectorize it to maintain high quality and scalability. First, select your subject and image trace it. We suggest using a high fidelity preset to ensure the photo maintains as much resemblance to the original photo as possible. Expand your photo to convert it to a series of editable vectors. Be sure to add a circle that will act as a hole for you to attach your keychain hardware through. It is now time to simplify the file to ensure the laser cutter understands its cutting task. This is done by merging and uniting the outline by using the pathfinder panel. Lastly, use Pathfinder’s minus front preset to create the desired cutout. I recommend converting the colors of the file by removing the fill and adding a red stroke of 1 or 2 to the design. Your design is now prepared and ready to be cut out!
At the end of the day, any software may be used. While Adobe is Leash and Lockets preferred program, other individuals may have a stronger skillset and more familiarity using different software. Ultimately, as long as the software has the ability to remove backgrounds and turn the photo into vectors, it is the designer’s choice to use whichever program they feel most confident with and have available to them.
2. Using the laser cutter:
Once the file is completed and edited to the consumer’s liking, it is time to move on to the laser cutting process. Leash and Lockets use acrylic as their keychain material as it offers a wide range of color choices. First you must power up the equipment including the air compressor and turning the key on the laser cutter. Select your material of choice and place it on the bed under the hood. Ensure it is in the proper location, typically the top left corner underneath the laser and the bed is low enough to place the material without damaging the laser.
Now it is time for the easy part! Before you begin cutting it is important to run a test on the computer to ensure that your design will fit on the material correctly to minimize waste and ensure that the laser will cut in the correct space. This may take several attempts, however, simply move the file around and/or change its dimensions. Once your test run is successful and can see that the laser will be cutting in an empty space that fits all of your designs, you can begin the cutting process. Once you give the computer permission to begin cutting, the laser cutting will first etch the design onto the acrylic material. This step adds the fine details to your keychain. After etching, the laser cutter will proceed to cut out the shape of the keychain according to your design. Once the laser cutter is finished, the laser will return to its starting position. You may lift the hood of the machine up, lower the bed, and take out your custom printed pieces. Turn off the equipment and clean up your work area, remembering to leave it how you found it.
3. Final alterations:
After the laser cutting is complete, there are a few more steps to finalize your custom keychains. The printed keychains may have residual smoke or debris on them, so cleaning them is essential if you desire a clean, polished final product. Washing the keychains under water should remove all of the debris, however, you may use liquid dish soap if needed. If you opted to include a hole in your design, add your hardware by attaching a hoop or keyring through the hoop. Whether it’s a tiny hoop for attaching to a keyring or a larger one for a pet collar, Leash and Lockets is sure to provide all of the necessary hardware in order to complete the product in entirety. Finally, look over the keychain to ensure that you are satisfied with the product and that there are no errors. At Leash and Lockets every keychain undergoes meticulous quality checks and cleaning, ensuring that the final product is a true representation of the care and dedication that went into its designing and creating process. Our company’s mission is to create products we are not only proud of, but products that exceed our customer’s expectations in quality, style, and design.
On behalf of Leash and Lockets, we hope that you have been inspired by our creative process. By following these steps, whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for inspiration or a pet lover looking to upgrade your key set up, try this keychain making process for yourself. Send us your results on Leash and Lockets Website (link attached here) for a chance to be featured
on the website and win one of our keychains. Remember designing a product has its ups and downs. There may be discouraging moments and trials that do not go as expected, however, remember even the most successful products had to start somewhere too and likely had many of its own drawbacks. With determination and a vision, any designer is capable of making a product they are truly proud of.
Creating custom keychains is an exciting and creative process that allows total personalization and creative freedom. Through these three phases, designing and editing the photo, using the laser cutter, and final alterations you now have a better understanding of Leash and Lockets designing and creative process. Leash and Lockets strives to make products as unique as your pets with hopes of capturing yours and their personality and style.
At Leash and Lockets, we believe keychains are more than just a key holder or decoration, but a keepsake that allows you to carry your pet with you wherever you go. In a sense they are not just keychains, they are cherished memories and tangible connections to our beloved pets. This is perhaps why keychains make such an amazing gift, they become a part of our everyday lives, celebrating our furry friends. Using software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, the designer has complete control in customization as the platforms are ideal for attention to detail and making any of the modifications you can dream of.
This detailed blog is designed to inform reader of Leash and Lockets keychain making process, as well as inspire/aid them to create your own piece of art. Happy designing.
