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:
(http://i.imgur.com/ST5K4Lz.jpg)
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.
(http://i.imgur.com/0Vc9Npe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hjQ8vsJ.jpg)
Leather:
Typos have been fixed.
(http://i.imgur.com/v3GjhsU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JIeRGYU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ae9vIGP.jpg)
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!
(http://i.imgur.com/WW04l0V.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qfFxvHs.jpg)
Vinyl:
Typos have been fixed.
(http://i.imgur.com/PYmwNJn.jpg)
Unfortunately I only had access to a few tiny scraps of vinyl.
Wood:
Typos have been fixed.
(http://i.imgur.com/vhLBpKO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/c0oT8XB.jpg)
Without stain
(http://i.imgur.com/BUQ0QH6.jpg)
After a very light stain.
s.
(http://i.imgur.com/d9ksq3x.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/j74hTDb.jpg)
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.
(http://i.imgur.com/p1PG0rv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9slbHgP.jpg)
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.
(http://i.imgur.com/ybXVfRN.jpg)
Both done on the lighter colored leather.
(http://i.imgur.com/UaBVzDJ.jpg)
Darker leather. I accidentally ran it at a lower power and the edges are messy.
(http://i.imgur.com/yu74zMq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NYIkwbe.jpg)
Stained wood.
(http://i.imgur.com/wB5zkNa.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/HTTWclr.jpg)
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
(http://i.imgur.com/TdOzhAH.jpg)
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.
(http://i.imgur.com/el1RNCy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Jyt2V3i.jpg)
Note: Each vinyl cut would come with application tape, as shown
(http://i.imgur.com/orUzotY.jpg)
Vectorized by Krogenar
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qfFxvHs.jpg)
I'm really liking the bottom one in this pic but it would look cleaner if the keyring went through the top of the g so the border is the same all the way around, if you're still in the design phase :)
I'd love some geekhack stickers as much as the next guy, but am I the only one that thinks GHs logo is absolutely terrible, ugly and tasteless?
Meanwhile at OTD..
Show Image
(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/album/3553774100_50f61436_otd.jpg)
we can't all be korean
I'd love some geekhack stickers as much as the next guy, but am I the only one that thinks GHs logo is absolutely terrible, ugly and tasteless?
Meanwhile at OTD..
Show Image
(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/album/3553774100_50f61436_otd.jpg)
I'm in the middle of the road. Sure, the logo could be loads better but so could the majority of all logos. I'm not much of a fan of the OTD logo myself. I'd like something with a 1920's twist but I may be alone on that front.
Something like this
(http://i.imgur.com/85CVg7u.png)
we can't all be korean
Unfortunately :-[
But we can try and emulate them by getting a more aesthetically pleasing logo..
I hear there's a few talented graphic designers here. *cough* lastpilot *cough*
If anyone has a alternative GH logo design I would be open to trying to make it!
I'm coming closer to solidifying the selection of key chains available. The only key chains I haven't made are the two layered acrylic ones. Black and orange acrylic should show up on my porch in the next day or two.
Here's some new images.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/d9ksq3x.jpg)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/j74hTDb.jpg)
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.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/p1PG0rv.jpg)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/HTTWclr.jpg)
These are looking good. Really want some of the lighter leather ones.
These are looking good. Really want some of the lighter leather ones.
Glad you like them! The leathers has been a lot more popular than I thought it would be.
I would be interested in a leather or wooden keychain, and some stickers!
Why not all three? ;)
Do you think you could add a metal eyelet to these? It would make it so much more sturdy.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/p1PG0rv.jpg)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/9slbHgP.jpg)
Eyelets would certainly make them stronger. However, even without them the thicker leather is rather durable. I could increase the amount of leather between the hole in the 'g' and the edge. Something I'm going to do with the other leather key chains. I do like the look of eyelets. Though the eyelets would most likely be too large for some of the smaller leather key chains. The eyelets have to be large enough to accommodate the key chain so there's a limit to how small they can be.
There's a load of stuff I'd like to do but I have to be considerate of the cost and time. With each new element there's something new to buy and something new to do. If there's enough demand for eyelets and the cost was displaced enough to where people would like them it's a definite option. However, I don't know how many orders would be made for the key chains that would have eyelets.
I'd love some geekhack stickers as much as the next guy, but am I the only one that thinks GHs logo is absolutely terrible, ugly and tasteless?
Meanwhile at OTD..
Show Image
(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/album/3553774100_50f61436_otd.jpg)
Maybe an IBM type logo would work for GH.
I got some orange and black acrylic in the mail today. In the next few days I'll get out and make some two layered key chains :thumb:.
I'm definitely in for some vinyl stickers.
I like these:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3FwFcXW.jpg?1)
and these:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/d4Xc2n3.jpg?1)
Any particular sizes you would be interested in?
I would REALLY like an acrylic coaster though...
I'll see what I can come up with!
I'd love some geekhack stickers as much as the next guy, but am I the only one that thinks GHs logo is absolutely terrible, ugly and tasteless?
Meanwhile at OTD..
Show Image
(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/album/3553774100_50f61436_otd.jpg)
Maybe an IBM type logo would work for GH.
I wonder how that would look. I might just have to make one and see!
With some acrylic finally here I was finally able to make a two layer acrylic key chain.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/0Vc9Npe.jpg)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/hjQ8vsJ.jpg)
That looks great! :thumb:
Do you think you could add a metal eyelet to these? It would make it so much more sturdy.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/p1PG0rv.jpg)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/9slbHgP.jpg)
IMO eyelets won't improve the strength at this size of hole to be worth it. You'd need to increase the area of the leather around the hole to accommodate the eyelet anyways, plus small eyelets are themselves pretty flimsy.