Keyrings.

[Flash]

Hello all,

Sorry I have not been on here for a while but I have been looking in from time to time! I guess that's stalking in a way!!
Anyway, I could use some of your worldly advice please.
I have 'dabbled' in Keyrings in the past but now I am looking at going into producing them on a slightly larger scale.
The keyrings I mean are the acrylic ones where you print the insert.
Historically I have used my Inkjet Printer with CIS to print the inserts and inserted two identical prints 'back to back' in the Keyring, not ideal, but works!
As I am now looking at going into this a little more professionally I am considering purchasing a Laser Duplex Printer and printing both sides of a slightly heavier paper thus only having to cut the one insert. I hope you are keeping up here!
My questions are:
Is it worth upgrading to a Laser Printer, am I going to gain anything by doing so?
Does anybody use Photo Paper for Keyrings does this stuff provide a better printed result?
Is anyone using any special software for Keyring production? What would you recommend?
Where is the best (cheapest!) place to buy Blank Acrylic Keyrings?

I look forward to your kind advice.

Phil

[John G]

No need to print both sides - print 2 together then fold it in half.

No need for special software either - design a template in coreldraw and print 16 - 24 sets per page with crop marks for cutting with scalpel. A\laser printer would help as its fast and image are sharp.

[Paul]

http://www.plastics-direct.co.uk cheapest place i know and they got software with templates for all shapes. Easy peasy.

[AJLA]

Get A passport cutter, it makes the cutting so easy if you are going to do lots

[Flash]

http://www.plastics-direct.co.uk cheapest place i know and they got software with templates for all shapes. Easy peasy.

Oh, there is cheaper Paul but it takes a bit of searching;) There is better software out there too!

[AdamB]

Oh, there is cheaper Paul but it takes a bit of searching;) There is better software out there too!

Any chance of letting us know then please mate?

[Flash]

Get A passport cutter, it makes the cutting so easy if you are going to do lots

Hello Mandy,

We got us some of those!
We have sussed the software issue too, we have been able to find a program which makes duplex printing a breeze!
Today we also looked at the Laser Printer business but after speaking to those 'in the trade', came to the conclusion that an Inkjet Printer fitted with C.I.S is a hard option to beat.
One thing we have also learned through our research is that if you are going to 'duplex' print you need to use better quality paper. The old Tesco Value is now confined to Ebay Invoices only ;o)

Phil

[Flash]

Any chance of letting us know then please mate?

Being that you have asked so nicely Adam here goes:

For Blank Keyrings: http://www.pc3721.co.uk/ (He also trades on Ebay as pc3723)
The best Software I have found is: http://www.my-software.co.uk/create-a-gift.php

I hope this helps.

Phil

[AdamB]

Thanks Phil