A brief history and the growth of acrylic keychains in the accessory market;
Without question, acrylic keychains have made an impact on the accessory market, and the reasons are numerous. These unique tools of branding and marketing are lightweight, long-lasting, and wrap decorative aspects around the wearer’s personality. Numerous colours and designs can be etched on these tiny charms to increase their people’s appeal. If you are looking for ways to brighten up your personal space or a unique item to put on the shelves of your store, acrylic keychains are your answer.
But how do you make your custom acrylic keychain look outstanding? Applying a design to them is the answer! The correct printing method is crucial in the design process since it ensures that your piece is both appealing and durable enough to endure everyday use. With many options available each with their respective advantages and disadvantages, it can be challenging to settle on what option to pick. Here‘s a look at five techniques that will help you create stylish printed acrylic keychains that everyone would want to have in their collections.
Why is it essential to print acrylic keychains?
Designing a graphic to be printed on an acrylic keychain has two functions. It engages the user and brings a flair of style to items. Be it for marketing purposes or for a present, these products are bound to be eye-catching.
Keychains can be made of acrylic, as they are very adaptable meaning they can contain a brand, a name or even a bold colour. This degree of flexibility is dented for companies who want to use it as a marketing tool. Also, the fact that there are printed features means added exposure. A good-looking keychain is aesthetically pleasing and can be memorable. It is more than just a key holder; it is about making a statement.
Due to the robustness of acrylic, the keychains made out of them have a longer life span as compared to other alternatives. Moreover, the printed designs are bound to remain visible at all times irrespective of the frequency of the keychain being used, be it in terms of brand visibility or for gifting purposes. In the end, most printing achieves the aim of elevating ordinary keyrings into more exquisite items that can attach to people and even firms.
Technique 1: Direct UV Coloring
In simple terms, Direct UV Printing means the use of special inks which are not only coated on the acrylic but also cured. Curing is done with the help of ultraviolet light which drives the ink to dry on contact. This practice is unsurpassed with regard to sharp detailing, many colours and complicated imaging.
Execution is one of the main advantages. Since it is an efficient procedure orders can be completed later. Also, it’s done using a variety of thicknesses of acrylic which is suitable for different keychain designs. However, there are other considerations that may be downsides. Initial investment costs can be quite high because of the costly technologies that are required for UV printing. Moreover, the longevity of a keychain with UV printing might be short if exposed to harsh conditions even though it is meant to be scratch and fade-resistant.
Taking these factors into consideration will assist you in selecting the most appropriate technique when looking to print your acrylic keychains.
Technique 2: Sublimation Printing
Among fundamental issues in designing acrylic keychains sublimation printing could be a remedy. In other words, it is perfect for those who prefer adding their own twist to the material as it involves the use of heat and pressure to embed an image into the material providing a full-colour image.
So why is this beneficial? To begin with, this process is proven to be long-lasting. As opposed to the normal splotches where the colour is not only on acrylic, it changes into acrylic. This implies that your design will be less prone to scratches or fading.
Much like any technology, sublimation does have its limitations. Stated as a fact, one should realize that it can be used only with certain preset types of acrylic. Other limitations on the colours used work too. A very interesting fact is that this process is hated in many businesses and appreciated in equal measure for the simple reason that it enhances the detail color and richness of the end product. For those who are interested in putting out more daring statements through their acrylic keychain designs, sublimation is a method that is quite nice to look into.
- Explanation of the technique
- Strengths and weaknesses
Technique 3: Screen Printing
Screen printing is an age-old approach which entails the process of forcing ink onto fabric through a mesh screen to come up with desired images. This aids in the application of design graphics that are colourful on acrylic keychains.
One of the standout benefits of screen printing is its versatility. Core requirements of layer printing do not limit its application as it poses no threat. The interesting thing about this technique is its suitability for multiple forms of ink- including those with special finishes such as metallic and glow-in-the-dark. Knowing this, some aspects still need to be put into perspective. The process of screen printing has to go through a setup stage so as to be effective, making it a very expensive and time-wasting endeavor for small runs. In addition, it might not be effective in the case of intricate details as little or no detail might be visible due to impressions in ink coatings.
The process starts with the use of a special printer which sprays liquid UV inks on the material. As each layer of ink is put on top, strong UV lights are used to instantly harden the layer. The combination of the ink and acrylic forms a strong bond. One of its main benefits includes versatility, there is no extra material needed to achieve detailed imagery. This technique also works with different shapes and sizes of key chains. Nevertheless, there are some drawbacks. The equipment investment can sometimes be high considering the initial setup, and not every printer is ideal when using thicker acrylics. Yet when performed appropriately, direct UV printing looks spectacular. With regards to the output having any stand-out features, the direct UV printing method achieves just that.
Technique 4: Vinyl Decal Printing
Vinyl decals are perhaps the most frequently used method for customizing the surface of an acrylic keychain. To be able to do this procedure, one should get a coloured vinyl sheet and cut the desired design which will be glued on top of the keychain surface.
The very first step is to come up with a design, then, proceed to use a vinyl cutter to cut out the design. When the design has been cut out, the excess is removed so that only the required text or image remains. Thereafter the decal is smoothly placed on the acrylic surface using the transfer tape. This method excels when it comes to colour vibrancy and intricate detail and is a great addition to small-batch production of vinyl decals.
In the case of printing onto surfaces, thorough surface preparation is critical in order to ensure that the images stick properly. Even traces of dirt or oil have great potential to cause deterioration of the print quality so cleaning the surface for prints is a must! However, this has a downside because sublimation is done onto coated acrylic substrates which may be ineffective if done on the wrong one. Additionally, the amount of colour variation available may not match other techniques.
Advice on how to print successfully on acrylic keychains;
To get the best impact print shapes on acrylic keychains, choose high quality first. Select coloured or clear acrylic that blends well with your theme.
- Then, make sure that your artwork is well prepared. Vector graphics not only provide striking colours but are also evident in the defined lines. If the image is not less than 300 DPI then pixelation should be avoided.
- Make sure that the surface of the acrylic is clean before painting. Use isopropyl alcohol to wipe it as dust or fingerprints will affect the result.
- Make sure to adjust the settings on your printers carefully. Different methods use different inks and inks have different drying times; therefore more successful results will be achieved by adhering to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- If possible, try to test some samples first. It will also help you to perfect your design by testing various different methods and by determining which one is the most effective per your desired design.
- And finally, think about applying additional coatings on printed pieces to make them more shinier and durable. This little step increases the longevity as well as the look of the piece.
Conclusion;
Acrylic keychains have become accessories that have gained immense popularity among many people, this might be owing to their wide range of colours. However, knowing the different printing techniques available to use can help you determine the most suitable one for your needs. For every single method of printing, there always are pros and cons, May it be direct UV printing which delivers sharp features or sublimation which can give you brilliant colors.
For larger orders, screen printing will work more effectively, while vinyl decals are more inexpensive and permit easier details. Laser engraving is unique because of detail but it is more expensive because of the equipment it requires. Be that as it may, don’t forget to consider the design, complexity, durability of the piece, and cost efficiency of the pieces you want to create. Ensuring that the proper approach is being taken up, the exclusive acrylic keychains will be able to be created!
