3D Printed Keychains: How to Make Them & Creative Ideas

Keychains are small, but they say a lot. They’re not just a way to keep your keys together, they’re a chance to show off personality, brand something, or even make a quick useful tool you’ll actually carry every day. And with 3D printing, you’re not limited to what’s on a shop rack. You can make anything, custom names, clever gadgets, logos, or just cool little designs that could go viral.

In this blog, we’ll share some of the best 3D printed keychain ideas that are practical, fun, and worth trying out, doesn’t matter if you’re printing for yourself or for profit.

Along the way, we’ll share some of the best tips from JLC3DP’s 3D printing operators, so you can achieve flawless results without trial and error.

Why 3D Print Keychains?

So why should you consider keychains as your next print project?

Keychains sell. Always. Have you ever seen a cluster of keys without a keychain? Exactly. People love cute stuff, they love something that feels unique, and they’ll happily buy a keychain just because it looks fun or helps in their self-expression. That’s why 3D printed keychains aren’t just a hobby project, they’re an amazing small business idea. Low cost, endless designs, and high demand.

• Affordable & fast: Most 3D printed keychains take less than an hour to make and use only a few grams of filament.
• Perfect for gifts or branding: Add custom text, logos, or symbols to make each keychain unique.

We often help businesses and individuals turn their 3D printer keychain ideas into high-quality finished products. People from all over the world order them a lot, for corporate giveaways, fan merchandise, or just personal use.

What are the best websites to get designs or design inspirations? Read our guide on the best websites to get 3d printing files

How to Design and 3D Print Keychains

Making your own 3D printed keychain isn’t just about hitting “print” and hoping for the best. If you want it to look polished, durable, and actually usable (aka not snapping off your bag the first week), you need to put some thought into the design and process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Choose Your Design Concept

Start with the vibe you want. Do you want something cute and aesthetic (like initials, logos, or little charms) or functional (like a bottle opener, name tag, or tool keychain)?

a. For cute stuff, stick with simpler shapes, hearts, stars, initials, pets, because they print cleaner.

b. For business ideas, think branded keychains with text or a minimal logo. These always sell well because they’re personal but cheap to produce.

2. Use the Right Design Software

You don’t need to be a CAD genius to design a keychain. Here’s what works:

TinkerCAD: Beginner-friendly, drag-and-drop, perfect for simple shapes.

Fusion 360 or SolidWorks: If you’re going pro and want more control.

Blender: Great for artsy, detailed designs.

Pro tip: Always add a loop or hole that’s big enough for a keyring (at least 3-4 mm diameter, reinforced with a little thickness so it doesn’t break).

3. Mind the Dimensions

Keychains should be small, but not fragile. Good size range:

Length: 30-60 mm

Thickness: At least 3 mm so it doesn’t snap

Weight: Keep it light, heavy keychains are annoying in pockets.

4. Pick the Right Filament

PLA: Easiest to print, tons of colors. Great for fun/cute designs.

PETG: Stronger, better if the keychain will be tossed around daily.

TPU: Flexible and durable, awesome for fun squishy keychains.

Pro move: Metallic PLA or glow-in-the-dark filaments make your keychains instantly more attractive and sellable.

5. Printing Settings That Work Best

Layer Height: 0.2 mm for detail without crazy long print times.

Infill: 20-30% is enough for strength.

Perimeters/Walls: At least 3 to prevent snapping at the loop.

Bed Adhesion: A brim helps if your design has fine details.

6. Post-Processing for That “Professional” Look

Raw prints are fine for personal use, but if you’re making them as gifts or for selling, finishing matters:

Sanding smooths out rough edges.

Painting or acrylic markers let you add details.

Epoxy coating gives it a glossy, durable finish.

Keyrings & hooks. Buy bulk packs online, super cheap and instantly turns your print into a finished product.

For more on getting crisp finishes and durable prints, check out our guide on improving 3D print quality.

3D Print Keychain Ideas You Can Try Today

1. Fidget-Clicker

(source:Printables, Print-In-Place Fidget Clicker file click here)

We designed this one because everyone loves a good fidget toy, but making it pocket-sized was the fun part. Three different clicks, tiny enough to hang with your keys, and we couldn’t stop playing with the prototypes ourselves.

2. Smartphone Holder

(Printables, Keychain / Smartphone Stand file click here)

This one came out of pure necessity, how many times have you wished for a phone stand while out? We printed these as mini keychains and honestly, everyone who got one ended up asking for extras. Small, simple, and way more useful than it looks

3. Articulated Keychain

(Printables)

We printed a batch for an event giveaway, and people couldn’t stop fidgeting with them. It’s like jewelry meets gadget, and it instantly stood out on a keyring.

4. Box for Keeping Pills

(Printables)

We loved the playful twist of this mini milk box keychain, but it’s practical too. Designed to discreetly hold lactase pills, it keeps them right where you need them, attached to your keys. Cute, clever, and super handy.

5. Customizable Spotify Code Keyring or Tag

(Printables)

We turned this into a tiny playlist tag you can carry everywhere, customized in OpenSCAD in a few minutes with your track or username. We printed a batch for the team and everyone called dibs on their own, quick, clean, and super giftable.

6. MicroSD Card Holder

(Printables)

Made for the ‘where did my card go?’ moment, a tiny holder that snaps in 4× MicroSD and hangs right on your keys. We printed a few for the studio and instantly stopped losing backup cards; small, sturdy, and stupidly useful.

Best Materials for 3D Printed Keychains

Not all filaments are created equal. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right one:

At JLC3DP, we test filaments for each customer’s design before production. That way, your 3d printer keychain ideas don’t just look great, they last. Get a Free Quote for Our 3D Printing Services.

Where to Sell or Share Your Keychain Designs

Finished a few awesome keychains and wondering what to do next?

a. Etsy & eBay: Great for selling custom 3d printed keychains.

b. Local shops & maker fairs: Unique designs make perfect low-cost retail items.

c. Online design platforms: Upload your models to Thingiverse or Cults3D to share with the community.

Not sure what else you can sell? Check out our list of the best 3D prints to sell for profitable ideas.

FAQ

Q: Are 3D printed keychains strong enough for daily use?
Yes, as long as you use the right material. PLA works for fun or decorative keychains, but if you want something durable that won’t snap in your pocket, go with PETG, ABS, or even flexible TPU for extra toughness.

Q: How much does it cost to 3D print a keychain?
Most small keychains cost just a few cents in filament. The real value is in the design. That’s why they make such a great business product, low cost, but you can sell them for anywhere from $3 to $15 depending on customization.

Q: Can I sell 3D printed keychains online?
Absolutely. Platforms like Etsy, Instagram shops, and even local craft fairs are perfect for keychains. They’re lightweight, easy to ship, and people love buying personalized items.

Q: What’s the best filament for 3D printed keychains?
For everyday designs, PLA is fine. But if you want something that lasts longer, especially if it’ll hang off a bag or be tossed around a lot, go with PETG or ABS. They resist heat and impact much better.

Q: Do people actually buy 3D printed keychains?
Yes, keychains are one of those evergreen products. People collect them, gift them, and use them as brand merch. Add a cute design, a name, or a practical feature, and you’ve got a product that sells.

Final Thoughts

3D printed keychains are small projects with big creative potential. They’re inexpensive, fun to design, and a great way to experiment with different filaments and techniques. Whether you’re making personalized gifts, promotional items, or just something cool for yourself, keychains are the perfect entry point into 3D printing.

At JLC3DP, we specialize in turning 3d print keychain ideas into polished, ready-to-use accessories. Our expert team makes sure every print has the right strength, finish, and detail, so you get more than just a prototype, you get a product you’ll actually love to use.