So I've been wanting to make those Clear Keychains for some of my Artist Friends that we saw at a Convention, with my first idea being Resin 3D Printing, a thing that I am very much unfamiliar with!
My Idea is to 3D Print out a Transparent shape, then Print the same shape but mirrored, then take both and Sandwich a Paper Print picture of one of my Friends Characters between the 2 and bind it all together!
There is a concern that I have Before I go out and get myself setup with a Resin 3D Printer... how Clear is Clear Resin anyway? All I can seem to find Online is Prints made by the Resin Sellers, which lets be real, cannot be trusted on its own. Given that the Paper Picture Sandwiched in the 2 Resin Shapes needs to be very Visible, the Resin Shape must be basically Near Perfectly Clear. What is your Folks experience with Clear Resin? Would you recommend using a Resin 3D Printer for this or should I go look for other Methods?
Edit: Thanks too all of you for shimming in with your Many Detailed Experiences, Ideas and Suggestions! After considering everything, I've decided that the best Route I should take is utilising a Laser Cutting Machine with Acrylic. A thing I've somehow not considered before! I want to choose the Lasercutting method in Particular as I think it'll also allow for many other Possibilities to Create things in the Future! Now I do have to do my Research on what machines are on the Market for Transparent Acrylic, as from what I've read only certain Laser Types can Handle those. But I think I'll find something that Suits me! Much thanks for everyone who Commented here!
Before you go too far down the 3D printed resin route, look and see if laser cut acrylic might work for your needs. There are services where you upload a vector file, and they’ll cut out a piece of clear plastic with whatever shape and thickness you need. At that point you just need to sandwich the pieces together and apply some fasteners.