This article was originally published in April 2013. Updated and republished in February 2025.
At Best Badges we have been supplying keyrings for a long time – over 20 years in fact!
Over the years we have gradually increased the range to meet the demands of our customers, so that now we have seven different keyring product groups available. Each type has its own benefits and advocates, but the central theme is that keyrings of all sorts remain a great way to spread word or get your name about.
Button keyrings are circular items, with a diameter of 25mm, 38mm, 45mm or 58mm. They are manufactured at our production site here in Ipswich, which means that we can supply any quantity from a single keyring upwards! Button keyrings are the first type of keyring we ever supplied – but they remain popular due to the low price and low minimum order quantities.
For the 58mm diameter size variant, the keyrings can be supplied with an optional mirror-back, or with a bottle opener fitting.
At 25mm the button keyring is designed so that the button can “pop and swap”. This means the logo part can be popped away from the keyring part, and swapped for a different design.
The print is full colour, and the artwork wraps around the edges of the keyrings providing a complete printed finish for the front of the keyring.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Low cost and fast to produce | Fixed in shape to circle |
| Full colour print | Print is one side only |
| No minimum order quantity, and can mix up to 5 different designs within an order | Ring attachment is less durable than with other keyring types |
| 58mm size can have bottle-opener or a compact mirror back. | Not as premium or heavyweight as some other options |
Full colour printed and hand pressed, and available in five different sizes! These are the most popular keyring type, with artwork showing on both sides of the keyring.
The smallest size has a print area of 35mm x 24mm, and the largest size has a print area of 70mm x 45mm. The 50 x 20mm version is the classize “lozenge” style keyring, with a highly rounded face.
Production of acrylic keyrings sees artwork printed ready to be seen on both sides of the keyring (same or different artwork for each sides are included in the prices). The printed artwork is inserted into the acrylic components, and pressed shut. Unlike some acrylic keyrings, ours are not designed to be reopened.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Low cost and fast to produce. | Fixed in shape to rectangle. |
| Full colour print on both sides. | Print does not wrap around edges. |
| No minimum order quantity, and can mix up to 5 different designs within an order. | Not as premium or heavyweight as some other options. |
Enamel keyrings are the most premium choice for a bespoke keyring. The final result is a superbly finished prestige item with lustrous colours and polished metal.
The shape and size of the logo part is completely unique to every order. This means any logo or design can be presented in rich, pantone matched colours and finished with high quality metal plating.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Premium item that will last a lifetime | Cost is higher than for some of the budget options available. |
| Entirely bespoke shape for every order. | Production time time is 3 to 4 weeks. |
| Keyring can be one sided or two sided. | Usually advise ordering from at least 50 or 100 keyrings upwards. |
One of the original promotional items, the trolley coin is still a brilliant way for a brand or message to be spread.
Because of the dual utility (keyring and trolley token), these items are likely to be used and kept by customers for long periods of time, extending the brand exposure.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Premium item that will last a lifetime | Cost is higher than for some of the budget options available. |
| UK £1 as well as Euro options available | Production time time is 3 to 4 weeks. |
| Keyring can be one sided or two sided. | Usually advise ordering from at least 50 or 100 keyrings upwards. |
For brilliantly flexible and tactile keyrings made in multiple levels and 2 or 3 dimensions, soft PVC is the ideal material.
This is the best choice of material for a fun result!
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Flexible and 3 dimensional nature makes this a fun and tactile item to hold. | Cost is higher than for some of the budget options available. |
| Entirely bespoke shape for every order. | Production time time is 3 to 4 weeks. |
| Keyring can be one sided or two sided. | Usually advise ordering from at least 50 or 100 keyrings upwards. |
6. Embroidered keyrings
Embroider a logo or design in multiple colours, and then add an eyelet and split ring fitting to create an instant keyring!
The embroidery is thick and detailed, and can be on one or both sides of the item.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Thick and luxurious to feel and hold. | Usually considered to be a large item, rather than a pocket item. |
| Hundreds of different colours available for both fabric and logo stitching. | Production time time is 3 to 4 weeks. |
| Long lasting and durable item. | Usually advise ordering from at least 50 or 100 keyrings upwards. |
The silicone wristband has long been popular as a promotional medium, and the same is true for the keyring form.
These are particularly useful for shared bunches of keys, because the large imprint area allows for easy recognition.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Popular message keyring, with horizontal space perfect for web addresses | Usually considered to be a large item, rather than a pocket item. |
| Large space for customisation. | Production time time is 3 to 4 weeks. |
| Bright pantone matched colours. | Usually advise ordering from at least 50 or 100 keyrings upwards. |
