Printing personalised keyrings is a quick and straightforward sublimation project, making them ideal for gifts, promotional products and items to add to your own personalised product range. In this guide, we'll take you through how to print sublimation metal keyrings, from preparing the printable insert through to attaching it to the finished keyring.
What You'll Need
Before you start, make sure you have:
- Sublimation metal keyring blanks
- Sublimation paper
- Sublimation inks and a sublimation printer
- A flat heat press
- Heat-resistant tape
- Heat-resistant gloves
- A clean, lint-free cloth
Most sublimation metal keyrings use a separate coated metal insert. This is the part you print onto. Once sublimated and cooled, the finished insert is attached to the main keyring body.
Recommended Time, Temperature and Pressure
As a starting point, many of our sublimation metal keyrings can be pressed using the following settings:
| Setting | Recommended Starting Point |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 180°C |
| Time | 60 seconds |
| Pressure | Medium |
Always check the pressing instructions supplied with the specific keyring you are using, as settings can vary between different coatings, inserts and product styles.
Step-by-Step: How to Sublimate a Metal Keyring
Step 1 - Create Your Design
Create your artwork using your preferred design software. Because keyring inserts have a relatively small printable area, keep important text and design elements comfortably inside the edges of the template.
For photographs or detailed artwork, use a high-resolution image so that small details remain sharp after printing.
Step 2 - Mirror and Print Your Design
Mirror your artwork before printing it onto sublimation paper. This is essential because the printed side of the transfer will be placed directly against the printable surface of the metal insert.
Print using sublimation inks and allow the transfer to dry before handling it.
Step 3 - Prepare the Metal Insert
Remove the printable metal insert from the keyring if it is supplied separately. Do not attach it to the keyring body before pressing.
Most coated metal inserts are supplied with a thin protective film to prevent scratching during transport. Remove this film before pressing. Leaving it in place will prevent the sublimation ink from transferring correctly.
Check the printable surface for dust, fingerprints or debris and clean it with a lint-free cloth if necessary.
Step 4 - Position the Transfer
Place the printed design face-down against the white sublimation-coated side of the metal insert.
Secure the transfer with a small amount of heat-resistant tape so that it cannot move when you place it into the press. Movement during pressing can cause ghosting or blurred edges.
Step 5 - Press the Insert Face-Down
Place the metal insert into your heat press with the printed transfer and printable surface facing down. This means the heat is applied through the back of the metal insert rather than directly through the transfer paper.
This method can help prevent the transfer paper from scorching and generally produces a cleaner finish on sublimation metal inserts.
Using the appropriate settings for your particular keyring, press the insert. For many of our metal keyrings, a useful starting point is 180°C for approximately 60 seconds at medium pressure.
Step 6 - Remove the Transfer
When the pressing cycle is complete, carefully remove the insert using heat-resistant gloves. Metal becomes extremely hot during sublimation, so avoid touching it with bare hands.
Remove the sublimation paper and allow the insert to cool on a heat-resistant surface.
Step 7 - Attach the Insert to the Keyring
Once completely cool, attach the printed insert to the main keyring body.
Many metal keyrings use a strong self-adhesive strip to hold the insert in position. Remove the backing from the adhesive, carefully align the insert and press it firmly into place.
For products that are likely to receive frequent handling, a very small amount of suitable adhesive can also be used behind the insert for additional security.
Common Problems When Printing Metal Keyrings
The finished image looks faded
Check that the protective film was removed before pressing. If it was, insufficient temperature, pressure or pressing time may be responsible.
The image has a shadow or double edge
This is usually ghosting caused by the transfer moving. Secure the sublimation paper firmly with heat-resistant tape before pressing and remove it carefully afterwards.
The transfer paper has browned or scorched
Try pressing the metal insert with the printable surface facing down so that the heat is applied through the back of the insert rather than directly through the paper.
The colours are uneven
Check that the insert was clean and flat before pressing and that your heat press is applying consistent pressure across the entire surface.
The insert comes loose from the keyring
Make sure the keyring body and reverse of the insert are clean before assembly and apply firm pressure when attaching it. For products intended for regular use or resale, a small amount of additional adhesive can provide an even more secure bond.
Choosing Sublimation Metal Keyrings
Metal keyrings are available in a wide variety of shapes, finishes and styles, making it easy to offer different personalised products without changing the basic printing process. Options include rectangles, circles, hearts, ovals and novelty shapes, alongside different metal finishes and presentation styles.
Browse our complete range of sublimation metal keyrings to find the right blanks for your personalised gift or promotional product range.