Is this your first time ordering custom PVC products? Maybe not, but this might be your first time ordering custom rubber keychains with You-Goods. Whatever the case is, ordering custom PVC products can get a bit confusing at times. That's why we've put together this step-by-step guide on how to order your batch of rubber keychains.
Step 1: Design
The first step in ordering your custom rubber keychains is to create or choose the image you want displayed on your rubber keychains. This image could be anything! Some common rubber keychain designs we see include:
Something important to keep in mind during the design process is color, attachment hole, line width, and size. When it comes to color, things can get quite tricky. Remember, the color you see on the computer can be different from how the color appears in real life, so it's imperative to confirm the colors for your custom rubber keychains by looking at Pantone uncoated colored paper and NOT by choosing Pantone colors seen on a computer screen. It's also a good idea to use CMYK color mode while creating your design in whichever illustration or design software you use (Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are the most popular. If you forget and use RGB colors then we will switch the color mode to CMYK which could potentially impact the appearance of the colors.
All keychains have a small hole somewhere along the edge of the design where you can attach the key ring or chain. This can be placed anywhere along the edge, but it’s important to think about where to house that hole since it could easily be broken or damaged if placed in a compromised position. If your keychain hole placement is in a spot that would be difficult to produce then don’t worry, our designers will suggest a different placement to ensure stability and aesthetic satisfaction.
Size is important as well for the custom keychain design so that you know the different proportions and to make sure you don’t overspend by going way over the size limits. We actually made a template . for you to create your own custom keychain design while keeping in mind size and attachment.
After deciding on your design you’re not done yet. If you are using a previously made design you may have to convert the design into vector data. How we do this is to utilize software Adobe Illustrator which helps us to turn pixels into lines and polygons. We do this so that we can get those clean lines and solid blocks of color.
This step can be done on your own or by You-Goods. If you are an Adobe whiz then it should be a breeze for you. For those who are less technologically inclined, or who just plain don’t have time then this could be right up your alley. Our experienced designers are well versed in Adobe Illustrator, and have years of experience of converting raster data into vector data. You can rest assured that your custom designed pvc keychain is in good hands with our knowledgeable designers.
For additional tips on creating your design make sure to check out our design guide for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
Step 2: Submitting your design and quote request
So now you've got your design and you're happy with how your rubber keychain design turned out. What now? Well, once you've decided on your design then you can submit the it along with some other key details. You should submit your design on the order page as a pdf, png, jpg, psd, or AI file. Preferably you can submit your design as AI (Adobe Illustrator) data, but any of the listed formats are okay. When sending your design you also need to include:
Quantity (Minimum order of 100 keychains)
Attachment
Thickness (3 mm or 5 mm)
Type of Service (Standard or Premium)
Anti-stain Coating (with or without, +$0.70 per keychain)
Backside Printing (with or without, +$0.30 per keychain)
Prototype (with or without, +$30)
Paper Backing Cards (with or without, prices vary depending on quantity and type)
This part should be fairly easy since you just have to click a few buttons on the order page. If you have some special requests outside those offered on the order page then you can give us a call at (214)699-0541 or shoot us an email at sales@you-goods.com.
Step 3: Confirming Design and Payment
Once you decide on the details of your keychains and enter them into the order form you will be prompted to connect your PayPal account in order to pay for the order. After payment is complete then we can start working on design revisions. Using the design and specifications you submitted then our talented designers will create a mockup of your keychains including simulated side, angle, and overhead views. Once you receive the mockup you can request any changes including line placement, colors, or any other details you want to correct. After all revisions have been made and you give the final OK then we will start production on your design and give you an estimated timeline for production.
Step 4: Production
From this point on we'll take over the reins. Your hard work is nearly over, and it's time for us to really put our noses to the grindstone. After we receive payment for the order of custom rubber keychains then we start by producing the mold for the liquid PVC to be heated and turned into your custom rubber keychains. All of the manufacturing is done at our factory in Guangdong, China.
The mold-making process is the most difficult part of the manufacturing process since it takes precision and care. The mold will take about 7 business days to be produced, but after that it goes quite quickly with the rest of your order (depending on how many keychains you’re getting).