Custom metal gifts — keychains, medals, awards, cards
Short answer
A custom metal gift — keychain, medal, award plaque or metal business card — is made on a CNC fiber laser: 0.3-4mm stainless steel, copper, brass or aluminium sheet is cut to shape and engraved with a name, logo or QR code. Craftarea makes these from 1 piece, in 2-5 working days, at ±0.1mm positional accuracy, with an exact quote within 24 hours.
Keychains, medals, award plaques and metal business cards are all made the same way: thin sheet metal is cut to shape and engraved with text or a logo on the same pass. Craftarea produces them on the same CNC fiber laser used for heavier industrial metalwork — only the thickness and scale differ. Stainless steel is the most common material, with copper and brass for a warmer, gold-toned finish and aluminium for a lighter, more budget-friendly option. Unlike online wholesale platforms, where minimum quantities are high and shipping takes weeks, orders here start at a single piece and are ready within days, produced in Tbilisi.
Key facts
- Minimum order
- 1 piece
- Production time
- 2-5 working days
- Exact price quoted
- within 24 hours
- Positional accuracy
- ±0.1mm
- Thickness range
- 0.3mm (card) – 4mm (award plaque)
- Pricing formula
- 3 variables: size × material and thickness × quantity
- Materials
- stainless steel, copper/brass, aluminium
- Production and delivery
- Tbilisi; courier delivery nationwide
What custom metal gifts do we make?
Four formats cover most orders, each cut from a different sheet thickness. Keychains are the smallest and most popular — a practical gift for staff, guests or event attendees. Medals and award plaques suit formal occasions: sports events, company anniversaries, employee recognition. A metal business card is a premium alternative to a paper card, cut to the same 85×55mm size. Any of them can be ordered as a single piece.
- Keychain — name, initials or a mini logo; fits a keyring or bag strap.
- Medal — engraved inscription for sports events or anniversaries.
- Award plaque — logo and text, optionally mounted on a wood or acrylic stand.
- Metal business card — 85×55mm, as thin as a regular card.
What material and thickness are metal gifts made from?
Gift-sized items are cut in the 0.3-4mm range — far thinner than industrial orders. Our full per-material ceiling is: stainless steel up to 6mm, aluminium up to 5mm, copper and brass up to 3mm. Stainless steel, inox and nerzhaveika are three names for the same material; only the terminology differs. Copper and brass give a warm, gold-toned finish; aluminium is the lighter, budget option. On thin sheet the positional accuracy is ±0.1mm, which is what keeps small letters and fine outlines clean — engraved characters read clearly from roughly 2mm in height.
What's the minimum order, and how long does it take?
The minimum order is one piece — there is no quantity to reach first. One or several keychains or cards are ready in 2-3 working days; a medal or award plaque, which needs extra finishing, takes 3-5 working days after the design is approved. For larger runs, such as a corporate event, we agree the timeline in advance and the unit price drops. If you need the order by a fixed date, say so in your first message and we will tell you immediately whether that date is realistic.
How much does a custom metal gift cost?
Price is calculated from three variables: size × material and thickness × quantity. Of the four formats, the metal business card is the most affordable — it is cut from the thinnest sheet and is the smallest piece; the keychain comes next, while a medal needs thicker stock and more finishing. The award plaque is the most expensive, being both the largest and cut from the heaviest sheet. Material shifts the total too: copper and brass cost more as raw stock than stainless steel or aluminium. Unit price falls as quantity rises, because file preparation and machine setup happen once regardless of run length and are then spread across the batch. We quote the exact amount within 24 hours — send the text or logo, the material you want, the size and the quantity; a ready vector file speeds the answer up.
How is personalization done — name, logo, QR code?
Text, a logo or a QR code is engraved with the same laser that cuts the shape — no separate machine and no hand engraving. We accept vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) or a clean, high-resolution image; if you have no finished design, we will lay out something simple. Two things we do not do on our own premises: colour enamel fill and electroplating. Instead we offer contrast engraving, where the text darkens naturally against the background. Medals are likewise cut and engraved — we do not die-strike or cast them, and route those orders to partner workshops.
Metal gift types — material, thickness, size and relative cost
| Product | Material | Thickness | Typical size | Relative cost | Production time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keychain | Stainless steel, copper/brass | 1-2mm | 3-6cm | Low | 2-3 working days |
| Medal | Stainless steel, brass | 2-3mm | 5-8cm diameter | Medium | 3-5 working days |
| Award plaque | Stainless steel, aluminium (brass up to 3mm) | 2-4mm | A5-A4 range, custom | High | 3-5 working days |
| Metal business card | Stainless steel, brass | 0.3-0.5mm | 85×55mm | Lowest | 2-3 working days |
How it works — step by step
- 1
Send text, logo and material choice
Send a name, text, logo or QR code — as a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) or a clean image — and tell us your preferred material: stainless steel, copper/brass or aluminium.
- 2
Confirm size and quantity
We pick the product type — keychain, medal, award plaque or business card — and agree the size, thickness and quantity.
- 3
Price quote and confirmation
You receive an exact price within 24 hours based on material, thickness and quantity; once confirmed, the order goes into production.
- 4
Laser cutting and engraving
A CNC fiber laser cuts the shape and engraves the text or logo at ±0.1mm positional accuracy.
- 5
Finishing and handover
We clean up the edges, pack the pieces and hand them over in Tbilisi or ship by courier anywhere in Georgia.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order a single keychain?
Yes, the minimum order is one piece and no bulk purchase is required. A single keychain is ready in 2-3 working days. The only difference is that a single piece costs more per unit than a batch, because file preparation and setup time are carried by one item.
What metal are keychains and medals made from?
Most often stainless steel — inox and nerzhaveika are names for the same material. For a warmer tone we use copper or brass up to 3mm thick; aluminium is the lighter, more budget-friendly option.
Can you add my own logo or name?
Yes, we laser-engrave any name, text, logo or QR code at ±0.1mm positional accuracy. Send a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) or a clean, high-resolution image.
How long does an order take?
Keychains and business cards are ready in 2-3 working days; medals and award plaques take 3-5 working days. The clock starts from the day the design is approved.
What's the manufacturing difference between a metal keychain and a business card?
A business card is cut from 0.3-0.5mm sheet so it sits comfortably in a wallet. A keychain needs 1-2mm thickness to survive daily use.
Can you add colour fill to a keychain or medal?
We do not do enamel fill on our own premises. Instead we offer contrast engraving, where the text or artwork darkens naturally against the background.
Do you make die-struck or cast medals?
No — our medals are laser-cut and engraved, and we have no stamping or casting equipment. For those orders we refer you to a partner workshop.
Can you fulfil a large order for a corporate event?
Yes, unit price drops on larger runs because file preparation happens only once. We agree the timeline in advance — see the corporate gifts page for details.