in Resin Crafts

How to Make Resin Keychains

4 resin keychains on a marble background

Want to give someone a custom gift? Planning on selling some crafts at your local craft fair to make some extra money? Resin keychains are one of those craft items that is not only affordable, but can be customized to suit just about anyone. And if you have multiple molds, you can make several keychains at once.

In this article, I will be showing you how I made keychains using 2 part resin, a keychain mold, some mica powders, and clear vinyl sticker paper that I printed some custom designs on. Lets start with how I prepared the clear custom sticker.

How to Make Clear Custom Stickers

I found this sticker paper online and bought it to print out some stickers for my grandkids. I have loved it so much that I keep ordering it and have used it for many of my craft projects, including labeling my clear kitchen jars. The trick to this paper is that after you print on it with your ink jet printer, you need to seal it with a clear acrylic sealer spray. It doesn’t really matter which spray, as long as it is a clear acrylic spray paint type sealer. Here is what I used to make these stickers.

Sticker paper, clear sealer, scissors, and a printed sheet of stickers with half cut out on a white background.

Materials:

Instructions:

Preparing your Design for Printing:

  1. Design Review and Proofreading: Start by thoroughly reviewing your design. Check for any spelling, grammar, or layout errors. Ensure that all the text is legible and correctly aligned. Proofreading is crucial to avoid any mistakes that could be costly to correct after printing.
  2. Resolution and Image Quality: Ensure that all images and graphics used in your design have a sufficient resolution for printing. Low-resolution images can appear pixelated or blurry when printed. A standard rule is to use images with a resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) for high-quality results.
  3. Margins and Alignment: Pay attention to margins to ensure that no critical elements are too close to the edge of the design. Align all elements properly to create a balanced and visually appealing layout.
  4. Proof and Test Printing: Before sending your design to the printer using your vinyl sticker paper, consider printing a test copy on plain paper. This allows you to check for any last-minute issues and make adjustments as needed.
  5. Backup and Archive: Keep a backup of your custom final design files, as well as any earlier versions. This ensures that you can make edits or reprints in the future without starting from scratch.

To get our free flowers and butterflies template download, just sign up for our emails by clicking here!

Close up of stickers being printed

Printing your Design:

  1. Load Printer: Loading paper into a printer might seem like a straightforward task, but it’s essential to do it correctly to avoid printing on the wrong side of your sticker paper. Start by placing a sheet of plain paper into your printer. On the side of the paper that faces up in your paper tray, draw a star. Print a test sheet of your design using that sheet of paper. If the star is on top with your design, then you know your printer prints on the side of the paper that faces up. Load your sticker paper with the printable side facing up. If your star is on the back side of the test sheet, you now know that the printable side of your sticker paper needs to face down to print correctly.
  2. Print: If your test sheet went well and no adjustments need to be made, place a piece of the sticker paper in the printer tray according to step 1 above. Set your design to print according to your computer’s settings and instructions.
  3. Caution!: Once the sticker sheet prints, do not touch the design or the ink will smear. Try not to touch it until after you spray the sheet and it has had time to dry.

Sealing your Design:

Aleene's Spray Finish 6oz Acrylic Sealer, 6 Ounce (Pack of 1), Clear-Matte

This step you will want to do outdoors. The spray can be very strong smelling and needs to be using in a well ventilated area.

  1. Prepare your Work Surface: Place your newspaper or bedsheet down on your work surface.
  2. Place the Paper for Spraying: Lay down your sticker paper, (careful not to touch the design!) with the design facing up.
  3. Seal: Spray a light spray of sealer over the sticker paper.
  4. Let Dry: Let the sealer dry and spray with another light coat. Be sure to cover the entire paper.

Now that the stickers are printed, sprayed, and dried, we can move on to making the keychains.

How to Make Resin Keychains

Making these resin keychains are actually a 2 step over the course of 2 day process. Each layer will need one day of drying time in between. In the first step we will pour the colorful mica layer. Once that is cured, we will then add the sticker and the second, clear layer of resin. Here is how to make them.

For the First Layer:

Supplies for pouring resin keychains on a tan background

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cover your Work Surface: Even if you think you are the cleanest craft person ever, it is always a good idea to cover and protect your work surface. This resin is crystal clear and is hard to see when dripped on anything and unfortunately by the time you find it, it is usually too late. I use a silicone mat to cover mine, however old newspaper or a trash bag will work just as well.
  2. Put on your Gloves: Wearing rubber gloves when working with resin offers several important benefits for your safety and health. Resin, especially epoxy and polyester resin, can contain chemicals that may pose risks to your skin and overall well-being. So please protect yourself and put them on.
  3. Mix your Resin: Mix your resin according to the package instructions of the resin brand you are using. I made 4 tablespoons of mixed resin for this layer and it was more than enough to divide into the 4 round keychain molds. Before mixing, check out some of our resin mixing tips below!
  4. Add Mica Powder: If you only want one color, you can mix the mica powder strait into the cup you mixed your resin in. If you are doing multiple colors, divide the resin evenly into the small cups. To those cups, and a small amount of mica powder. Remember a little goes a long way. If you start with a small amount, you can always add more, however you cannot take it away if you add to much. Once the powder is added, mix each cup to incorporate the color.
  5. Pour the Resin into the Molds: Gently and slowly pour the resin into your molds. The slower you pour, the less likely you are to introduce bubbles into the finished project.
  6. Use a Lighter, Torch or Heat Gun: After pouring the resin onto your project surface, gently pass a lighter, torch, or heat gun over the surface to pop and remove any visible bubbles. Hold the flame a few inches above the surface and move it in a sweeping motion.
  7. Set Aside to Cure: After popping any bubble, set your molds in a warm dry area to cure. Check your package instructions for curing temperatures and times.

For the Second Layer:

Supplies for pouring resin keychains on a marble background

To get our free flowers and butterflies template download, just sign up for our emails by clicking here!

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut your Stickers: Cut out the stickers you want to use on the keychains and set aside.
  2. Add Stickers to Mold: Apply and center the sticker to the cured resin in the mold. Press down the sticker paper to get out any bubbles stuck underneath. Be careful not to unmold the cured resin or it can allow the next layer of fresh resin to leak under it in the mold.
  3. Cover your Work Surface: Even if you think you are the cleanest craft person ever, it is always a good idea to cover and protect your work surface. This resin is crystal clear and is hard to see when dripped on anything and unfortunately by the time you find it, it is usually too late. I use a silicone mat to cover mine, however old newspaper or a trash bag will work just as well.
  4. Put on your Gloves: Wearing rubber gloves when working with resin offers several important benefits for your safety and health. Resin, especially epoxy and polyester resin, can contain chemicals that may pose risks to your skin and overall well-being. So please protect yourself and put them on.
  5. Mix your Resin: Mix your resin according to the package instructions of the resin brand you are using. I made 4 tablespoons of mixed resin for this layer and it was more than enough to divide into the 4 round keychain molds. Before mixing, check out some of our resin mixing tips below!
  6. Add the Mixed Resin to the Mold: Slowly add the mixed resin to the molds, covering the stickers evenly.
  7. Use a Lighter, Torch or Heat Gun: After pouring the resin onto your project surface, gently pass a lighter, torch, or heat gun over the surface to pop and remove any visible bubbles. Hold the flame a few inches above the surface and move it in a sweeping motion.
  8. Set Aside to Cure: After popping any bubble, set your molds in a warm dry area to cure. Check your package instructions for curing temperatures and times.

Finishing the Keychains

Resin keychains still in the molds with needle nose pliers, files, and keychain rings and chains.

Materials:

  • Cured Resin Keychains
  • Fingernail File or Fine Sandpaper
  • Keychain Rings with Chains
  • Damp Clothe or Wipe
  • Needle Nose Pliers (2 pair)

Instructions:

  1. Unmold the Resin: Once the curing time is complete for the second layer, you can unmold your keychains.
  2. Check for Rough Edges: This is where you will want to check for any rough or sharp edges and file them with your fingernail file or sandpaper. If you don’t want to have to buff them back to a shine, be careful to only sand the edges and not the finished top or bottom. If you do accidently scratch it, you can pour another small amount of mixed resin over it to cover the scratches, however you will once again have to let the project cure.
  3. Attach the Keychain Rings/ Chains: Using both pair of needle nose pliers, attach the jump ring of your keychain’s chain to the hole the mold created in the resin. Be sure to close the jump ring securely so that it does not come off of the keychain while in use.

Tips for Mixing Resin

blue gloved hand pouring clear resin into resin molds

Mixing resin can be a creative and enjoyable process, but it’s important to follow the instructions carefully to achieve the best results. Resin mixing can vary based on the type of resin you’re using (epoxy, polyester, polyurethane, etc.), so always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines. However, here are some general tips that can help you achieve successful resin mixing:

  1. Choose the Right Resin: Make sure you’re using the correct type of resin for your project. Epoxy resin is popular for its versatility and clarity, while polyester resin is often used for fiberglass projects. Each type of resin has its own mixing and curing requirements.
  2. Prepare Your Workspace: Work in a well-ventilated area with proper ventilation and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, safety goggles, and a mask. Cover your work surface with plastic or wax paper to protect it from spills.
  3. Measure Accurately: Resin mixing requires precise measurements. Use a digital scale to measure the resin and hardener according to the manufacturer’s recommended ratios. Mixing ratios are usually given in weight (grams or ounces) rather than volume.
  4. Mixing Containers: Use separate, clean, and disposable mixing containers for resin and hardener. This prevents contamination and ensures accurate measurements.
  5. Stirring Tools: Use a flat, wide stirring stick or spatula to mix resin. Avoid using round sticks as they can introduce air bubbles.
  6. Mix Gradually: Pour the resin and hardener into their respective containers and mix them separately before combining. Gradually add the hardener to the resin and stir gently but thoroughly. Scrape the sides and bottom of the container to ensure even mixing.
  7. Avoid Air Bubbles: Stir slowly and avoid vigorous stirring, which can introduce air bubbles into the mixture. If you notice bubbles, let the mixture sit for a few minutes to allow some bubbles to rise to the surface before pouring.
  8. Degassing (Optional): Some resins benefit from a process called degassing, which involves using a vacuum chamber to remove air bubbles from the mixture. Check if your resin requires this step and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  9. Mixing Time: Follow the manufacturer’s recommended mixing time. Over-mixing or under-mixing can affect the resin’s curing properties and final appearance.
  10. Temperature Considerations: Resin and hardener should ideally be at room temperature before mixing. Avoid mixing in extremely hot or cold environments, as this can affect curing times and the quality of the final product.
  11. Pouring and Curing: Once mixed, pour the resin evenly onto your project surface. Follow the recommended curing time and temperature provided by the manufacturer. Avoid disturbing the project while the resin is curing.
  12. Finishing: After curing, you might need to sand, polish, or finish the resin surface to achieve the desired look.

Remember that different brands and types of resin may have slightly different mixing and handling instructions, so always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines specific to the product you’re using.

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