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【IC】geekhack key chains and vinyl stickers! (updated with more pictures!)

类型: IC
作者: Asininity
发布时间: 2015-03-02 23:31:00
更新时间: 2015-03-12 13:35:08
原链接: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69484.0


Hello!
We’ve had a wonderful assortment of geekhack related merchandise fueling our ability to express our affinity for this website and our thirst for anything mechanical keyboard related. I have access to a laser and vinyl cutter so the answer was decals, key chains, and maybe a coaster.
Interest check: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hNDWWN7uVWbltu4vOQ_lakfdZlD4jujIi5fbt-PUTPI/viewform
Designs and materials
The two materials I had in mind for the laser cutter are wood and acrylic. The acrylic colors I was thinking of are clear, orange, and black. Leather is up in the air. There’s a multitude of leathers to choose from and then there are dyes that could be used on them.
There are a number of options for wood. The least expensive option is most like 1/4th inch thick plywood. The type used for cabinets and the like. Understandably plywood is not everyone’s preference and other woods are available. I’d personally rather not used it. The cost will largely depend on what wood is chosen. There are two more options for the wood. First is staining and second is sanding the edges as they will be burned from the laser. Both increase price.
For vinyl colors I was thinking metallic gold, metallic silver, orange, and black. In regards to black and orange a question is whether people want matt, glossy, or both. Update: Following the interest check it seems like we’ll be going with matt.
Current designs:

If you have any suggestions for any designs, especially vinyl, let me know!
Cost
First and foremost I would do my best to make these items as inexpensive as possible. The cost of the item would be composed of material + time. Laser cutting and picking at vinyl with an exacto blade is unfortunately a very time consuming process. As such a small “handling/production fee” would be included in the price.
These costs are rough estimates and only speculation. The prices could go up or down. Each key chain would come with a key chain ring and a jump ring.
$1-1.50 Small laser etched/cut key chain (clear material)
$1.50-2.50 Layered laser cut key chain (black/orange, clear/black, clear/orange)
$1-2 Wood laser etched/cut key chain
$2-3 Stained wood/sanded edge laser etched/cut key chain
Unknown Small leather etched/cut key chain
$0.50-0.75 Small vinyl cut geekhack logo
$0.75-1.25 Small metallic vinyl cut geekhack logo
Once the materials and designs are locked down I’ll be able to give a more precise cost. A prominent issue is demand and selection. This will affect both price and turnaround time. A wider selection items would not increase price (it may increase turnaround) but what would increase the price is the diversity of materials used.
Vinyl comes in relatively large rolls and there would have to be a lot of orders to fill up those rolls. Because those rolls will need to be paid for the more stickers purchased the less expensive each sticker will be. The best way to get a lower price is to limit the number of colors available. One method of helping address this issue for is minimum purchases of stickers. For example, a minimum purchase of 10. An incentive could also be added. For example, one free sticker for every five stickers bought after 10. I.E two free stickers when you buy 20.
Turnaround
I would aim for a 1-2 week turnaround time with an extra few days just in case. I would try to purchase all of the materials once enough individuals are committed. This would help reduce the strain on me and decrease the turnaround.
Shipping would be inexpensive since everything could be mailed by envelope.
Examples
I decided to use what materials I had to make some examples to show.


Leather:
Typos have been fixed.



The holes for the key rings are too close to the edge in these versions. I will be moving them away from the edges so they don’t tear off.
Note: Leather wouldn’t be limited (and may not even include) these exact leathers. These were made from some leather I have sitting around for my leather work. If there are other types of leather or dyes are you interested in let me know. I am fairly sure I can find duplicate leathers to these if need be.
Acrylic:
Typos have been fixed.
I have ordered a sheet of black and orange acrylic to make some test keychains. I’m looking forward to how two layered key chains will look!


Vinyl:
Typos have been fixed.

Unfortunately I only had access to a few tiny scraps of vinyl.
Wood:
Typos have been fixed.


Without stain

After a very light stain.
s.


I really like how it turned out. However, I’m not sure how many I would make available. Unfortunately I’ll have a lot to take care of as is.


I like how the lighter colored leather came out. At this size the darker leather (which is lighter) didn’t come out nearly as well. If I enlarged it shouldn’t be a problem.

Both done on the lighter colored leather.

Darker leather. I accidentally ran it at a lower power and the edges are messy.


Stained wood.


Note: These were cut from some 1/4th inch plywood and some scrap wood I had sitting around. I will buy some higher quality wood to test on.
Here are several examples of what I’ve made in the past:
More


If you look closely you can see a small amount of carbon buildup on the surface. This can easily be removed with some water and a towel.


Note: Each vinyl cut would come with application tape, as shown

Vectorized by Krogenar

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