In the world of custom metal keychains, less is often more—but “less” doesn’t have to mean boring. At Artigifts, our matte black nickel plating (swim black) + single-color enamel process turns simple designs into powerful, premium brand statements. Let’s break down how this craft transformed the “Verso L’Alto” basketball keychain into a symbol of ambition and team pride.
Let’s take a closer look at how this process brought a team’s vision to life:
Client Need: FUS Basketball, an Italian team, wanted a keychain to mark their 2024–2025 season. The design needed to reflect their mountainous home region, embody their “Verso L’Alto” (Towards the Heights) mantra, and feel premium enough to be worn as a badge of pride.
Design: The design language of this keychain is extremely simple,
Top: The team's abbreviation is "FUS", presented in bold and powerful font.
Center: The word "BASKETBALL" is displayed, clearly indicating the nature of the sport.
Bottom: "Versa L Alta 2024-2025", indicating the season and name
The triangular shape mirrors the peaks of the Alps, while the matte black frame creates a bold border for the white enamel mountain graphic and text. The single-color approach keeps the design clean and timeless, letting the team’s message take center stage. There are no complicated graphics and no unnecessary decorations – the text itself is the entire design language.
Craftsmanship: We die-cast the base, electroplated it with matte black nickel, and filled the recessed areas with bright white enamel. The final keychain features sharp lines, a smooth finish, and a durable structure—exactly the bold, minimalist look the team wanted.
The Process: Matte Black + Single-Color Enamel
Step 1: Keychain mold pressing and forming
The keychain base material is made of high-quality zinc alloy and is formed through a precise mold in one press. All the text is raised, about 0.5 - 0.8mm higher than the base surface - this height difference is the foundation for the subsequent processes and also the source of the three-dimensional sensation that can be perceived when touched.
Why is a raised design necessary?
Enhance the presence and readability of the text
Reserve process space for subsequent electroplating and painting.
Enhance the tactile texture of the keychain
Step 2: Matte Black Nickel (Swim Black) Plating
The zinc alloy base undergoes electroplating to create a deep, non-reflective matte black frame. This dark backdrop isn’t just a finish—it’s a canvas that amplifies contrast, making any color applied on top pop with striking clarity. It also adds corrosion resistance, ensuring the keychain’s structure stays pristine through daily use.
Step 3: Single Color Enamel Filling
After plating, recessed areas are filled with a single, crisp enamel color (in this case, bright white). The precision of this process ensures clean lines and a smooth, durable finish—no smudges, no unevenness, just bold, intentional design.
Questions & Answers on Matte Black Nickel Plating + Single Color Enamel Metal Keychains
Bold Contrast: The matte black frame makes the single enamel color pop, ensuring your design stands out in a sea of generic keychains.
Timeless Minimalism: The clean, two-tone look is modern and versatile, perfect for sports teams, corporate branding, and lifestyle merchandise.
Durability: Plating resists scratches and corrosion, while enamel filling protects against fading—ideal for daily-worn keychains.
Cost-Effective Premium: This process delivers a high-end look at an accessible price point, making it perfect for bulk orders and promotional campaigns.
1.Embossing and recessing
The text is embossed while the base is recessed. This not only creates variations in light and shadow, but also makes touch a form of reading - as fingers glide over it, each letter's outline can be clearly perceived.
2.Matte and Gloss
The black color presents a deep matte finish, while the lacquer has a warm and glossy appearance. The juxtaposition of these two textures on the same surface causes the viewer's gaze to involuntarily wander between them.
3.Overall and Particular
At Artigifts, we don’t just make keychains—we craft symbols of identity. Whether you’re a sports team, a brand, or an organization, matte black nickel plating + single-color enamel can help you create a keychain that’s not just an accessory, but a statement.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact us today to start your custom project.
Best regards | Zhongshan Artigifts Premium Metal & Plastic Co., Ltd.
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Post time: Feb-27-2026
