How to make keychains with names in 3D

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A fantastic idea to print personalized keychains are the keychains with 3D names.

Although it may not seem like it, it is something easy to do and according to what they say, one of the products more profitable to sell 3D models.

To make 3D name tags you will need a program like Photoshop, an online SVG file converter, and an online 3D modeling program like Tinkercad.

How to make keychains with 3D names:

Step 1: With Photoshop create a new file and choose the text tool. Then choose the letter you like the most and write the name, when you finish export the file in PNG format.

Step 2: Go to the site convertio.co and upload the PNG file you created, convert it to a SVG file.

Step 3: Now open tinkercad and import the SVG file you saved. Once imported, edit it to your liking and export the STL file.

Step 4: Open the STL file with Cura Ultimaker or with your favorite Slicer and configure your preference settings.

Step 5: 3D print the name on your 3D printer and then add the key ring.

3D name keychains step by step with images

Step 1Photoshop

First you have to open Photoshop and create a new blank file.

Then select the text tool and write the name.

Once this is done you need to do two more things, first export the written name in PNG.

Click on “File” => “Export” => “Quick Export as PNG”

Save the PNG file to a folder and return to Photoshop

Now you will see how create a background for the keychain in case you want to do it like that.

you have to click “Layer” => “Layer Style” => “Blending Options…”

In the blending options, you will place yourself on the “outer glow” option and configure it so that a silhouette is formed around the text.

Click “Outer Glow” and then set the options as follows:

Structure:

• Blending Mode: Normal
• Opacity 100%
• Noise: 0%
• Colour: black

Items:

• Technique: Precise
• Extender: 100%
• Size: 25 px (remember that what matters is that a silhouette is formed around the entire text until there are no white spaces left inside. Choose the size that works best for your text)

Quality:

• Range: 100%
• Vibration: 0%

When you finish setting up the outer glow your text should have transformed into something like this (see image below)

If everything went well, you can export the PNG file in the same way as the previous step and in the same folder.

Click on “File” => “Export” => “Quick Export as PNG”

From this point on you are done using Photoshop.

Step 2: Convert files to SVG

Go to the website convertio.co and load the PNG files

Click where it says “select files” and when the window opens choose the PNG files you saved.

once loaded Select the option convert to SVG

Now click on convert and then download those files

Once you have your two PNG files converted to SVG you can move on to the next step which is to open Tinkercad to edit them.

Step 3: Tinkercad

Opens the home page of tinkercad

You can log in to Tinkercad with your Google account, it's free.

On the next screen choose to create a new 3D design

Then in your work plan select “import”

Now choose your SVG file from the name and click “import”

Once you have imported the file with the name in SVG format, you can resize it to fit into your workspace.

I think about 70 millimeters wide will be fine. You can modify this to your liking.

Then modify its height so that it is approximately 6 millimeters.

Now you need to add a reinforcing base below the letters.

(This is where you will choose whether to use the background you exported from Photoshop or create a simple one for the letters., if you choose the background made in Photoshop then you import it and place it below the text. I am going to continue with the example of the name in 3D)

Choose the “Basic Shapes” bar (on the right) the shape “Cube“

Make sure you give it the same width and height measurements as the name. (In my case 70 mm x 6 mm)

In the example I'm going to place it below, overlapping the letters with the rectangle so that they come together and join together.

Now you need to make a hole for the key ring to go through.

In the basic shapes bar on the right choose a transparent cylinder.

Then give it some measurements of 3 mm x 3 mm and a height of 7 mm.

Now select everything and use the “Group” option

If everything went well, you should end up with something like this, in the same color (see image below)

Now you need to export the STL file so you can open it in Slicer and print it.

Select the model and Click “Export”

And ready! You already have your keychain in STL format ready to open with the Slicer and print it.

Step 4: Ultimaker Cure

In Cura you will place your favorite parameters, if you want you can see the publication “Best Cura setups for beginners”

In case you have problems with Threads in your 3D prints, I recommend that you visit the publication “Threads in 3D printing (and how to avoid them)“

I am going to use a filler of 100% because I want this keychain to be firm and last a long time.

Other than that there shouldn't be any problems as it will be an easy print without supports.

When you have everything ready, do the segmentation and save your STL Keychain file on the 3D printer's micro SD.

Step 5: Print 3D Name Keychains

Once you have the printed model in your hands you can add the rings of the key chain.

Done, now you know how to print names in 3D with any font from Photoshop.

I know there are a lot of videos on YouTube, but sometimes I feel the need to read a step-by-step guide a little more calmly without having to pause the video and at the same time it is already recorded on the blog for whoever needs it.

I welcome any constructive criticism that helps me grow in the comments.

Thank you very much and good luck with your projects…