Types of Keychains: Metal, Acrylic, PVC and More
The main types of keychains for custom orders are metal (soft enamel, hard enamel, die struck and antique), acrylic, and PVC or rubber. Metal feels heavy and premium, acrylic prints any full-color design, and PVC is soft, colorful and the most budget-friendly for big runs. Other types you will come across include leather, embroidered, wood and plush keychains. This guide explains what each one looks and feels like, and which to choose for your design.
Quick Answer
- Most premium
- Hard enamel metal
- Most colorful for the price
- Soft enamel metal
- No color, classic look
- Die struck or antique metal
- Full-color artwork, photos
- Acrylic
- Lowest cost, soft and durable
- PVC / rubber
- Minimum order
- 25 pieces per design, all types
Metal keychains
Metal keychains are made by striking your design into metal with a custom die. The outlines stay as raised metal and the spaces between them are either filled with enamel color or left bare. They are heavier than any other type, and that weight is a large part of why they feel like a gift. You can order all four styles on one page: custom metal keychains.
Soft enamel keychains
The enamel color sits slightly below the raised metal lines, so you can feel the outline with your finger. It is the most popular metal style because it gives you bright color and texture at a lower price than hard enamel. Best for colorful logos, mascots and club designs.
Hard enamel keychains
The enamel is filled up to the level of the metal and polished flat, so the surface is smooth and glossy. It looks and feels like jewelry and holds up very well to daily wear. Best for corporate gifts, premium merch and designs with clean, simple shapes.
Die struck and antique keychains
No color at all — just the design in raised and recessed metal. Die struck keeps a bright, polished finish; antique darkens the recessed areas so the raised detail stands out, which gives a classic, heritage feel. Best for text-heavy designs, emblems and anything meant to look timeless. These two styles can also be made in 3D relief.
Acrylic keychains
An acrylic keychain is a piece of clear plastic with your artwork printed on it, cut to any outline. Because the design is printed rather than filled with enamel, there is no limit on colors: gradients, shading, photos and fine text all reproduce. It is light, waterproof and the favorite of illustrators, anime and fan artists, and small brands. You can also pick colored or mirror acrylic, holographic effects, a resin dome or extra dangling charms. See custom acrylic keychains, or read how acrylic keychains are made.
PVC and rubber keychains
PVC keychains (also called rubber or silicone-style keychains) are molded from soft, flexible plastic. The color is part of the material rather than printed on top, so it will not peel, chip or fade. They are waterproof and almost impossible to break, which is why they are popular for kids, outdoor brands, sports teams and large giveaways. Each color is a separate molded area, so bold designs with a few colors work best and cost less. See custom rubber and PVC keychains.
Comparing the main types
| Type | Look and feel | Colors | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft enamel | Heavy, textured, raised metal lines | Solid enamel colors | Logos, clubs, events |
| Hard enamel | Heavy, smooth, polished | Solid enamel colors | Premium gifts, corporate |
| Die struck / antique | Heavy, all metal, classic | None — metal finish only | Emblems, text, anniversaries |
| Acrylic | Light, clear, glossy | Unlimited, full-color print | Illustrations, photos, merch |
| PVC / rubber | Soft, flexible, durable | Solid molded colors | Giveaways, kids, outdoor |
Choose metal if…
- The keychain is a gift, award or thank-you
- You want weight and a premium finish
- Your design uses clear shapes and solid colors
Choose acrylic if…
- Your art has gradients, shading or many colors
- You are selling illustrated merch
- You want a light keychain with a custom outline
Choose PVC if…
- You need a low price per piece for a big run
- It will be used outdoors or by kids
- Your design is bold with a handful of colors
Consider another type if…
- Metal: your design depends on photos or gradients
- Acrylic: you want the weight of metal
- PVC: your artwork has hairline text
Special effects and finishes
Each type has its own add-ons. On enamel metal keychains you can choose glitter, glow-in-the-dark, translucent or pearlescent enamel, an epoxy coating, rhinestones or a built-in bottle opener. Die struck and antique styles can add 3D relief. Acrylic offers holographic finishes and resin domes, and PVC offers glow-in-the-dark and a printed back. All of these are chosen in the cart after you pick your size and quantity, and the total updates as you select.
Other types of keychains
You will also see these keychain types online. They are useful to know about when comparing options, even though each suits a narrower set of uses:
- Leather keychains: stamped or embossed leather tags. Classic and understated, but limited to one-color debossing.
- Embroidered keychains: stitched fabric, like a small patch. Soft and casual, with less fine detail.
- Wood keychains: laser-engraved or printed wood. Natural look; not waterproof.
- Plush keychains: small stuffed toys on a clip. Popular for characters and mascots, and bulkier on a set of keys.
- Shaker keychains: acrylic with a sealed pocket of moving glitter or charms.
Before you choose
- Looked at your artwork: solid colors (metal, PVC) or full color (acrylic)?
- Decided whether it is a giveaway, a product to sell or a gift
- Set a rough budget per piece
- Thought about where it will be used: indoors, outdoors, by kids
- Checked the size you need in the keychain size guide
Frequently asked questions
What is the most durable type of keychain?
Hard enamel metal and PVC are the most durable. Hard enamel is polished flat so there is nothing to catch or chip, and PVC is flexible with the color molded in, so it survives drops, weather and daily handling.
What is the difference between PVC and rubber keychains?
In custom keychains, the terms are used for the same thing: a soft, flexible keychain molded from PVC. "Rubber" describes how it feels.
Which keychain type is best for full-color artwork?
Acrylic. The design is printed, so gradients, shading and photos all reproduce. Metal and PVC use solid color areas.
What is the cheapest type of custom keychain?
PVC usually has the lowest price per piece, followed by acrylic. Metal costs the most but is also the heaviest and most gift-like. The exact price depends on size and quantity and shows on each product page as you select.
Is the minimum order the same for every type?
Yes. Metal, acrylic and PVC keychains all start at 25 pieces per design, with tiers up to 2,500.
Ordering for a business? Promotional and logo keychains covers which type to use for giveaways, handovers and staff gifts. Two add-ons get their own guides: bottle opener keychains and 3D relief keychains. Or browse all custom keychains.
Found your type?
Choose your size and quantity, see your price online and upload your artwork. From 25 pieces per design, with a free digital proof before production.
Start Customizing