Decorative key blanks may be the key to catching your customers’ eyes and reminding them that they need some extra house keys, key chains, batteries, padlocks or other impulse items on display in the shop. Consider a display by the check-out counter or near your key cutters. These key blanks, available for the most common residential keyways, might be just the solution your customer needs for that school-aged kid or spouse who grabs the wrong key.
Multiple manufacturers market decorative blanks, some licensed, representing various teams, hobbies, animals and other themes. Locksmith Ledger took a look at those key blanks available through locksmith distribution channels.
Howard Keys
“Disney, Star Wars and Hello Kitty have been our most popular and strongest selling licensed line of house keys. Combined we have close to 100 designs,” noted Andrew Goldberg. “We also have a non-licensed line of house keys called Happy Keys. We have 90 designs to pick from such as dogs, cats, sports to vibrant patterns/designs. There is something for everybody.”
The newest additions to the Howard Keys lineup and seven Disney keys, one new Star Wars design and one new Hello Kitty design. The company also added seven new sports design keys to its Happy Key line.
The demand for these new keys has been very strong, Goldberg noted.
Howard Keys’ key blanks come in the three most common residential keyways: Kwikset, Schlage and Weiser. The Kwikset blank is a combo key that will work for both KW1 and KW10. Similarly, the Weiser blank works for both WR3 and WR5 keyways.
To show off these keys in a retail shop, Howard Keys offers three-level rotating key displays that can be purchased as a 24-, 48- or 72-hook display and is expecting new display inventory later this year.
“The feedback we get from the buyers is that customers like having a wide variety of keys to pick from,” Goldberg said.
For more information, visit www.howardkeys.com
Lucky Line Products
Lucky Line’s most popular Key Shapes designs include the Home key (#B105), the Sugar Skull key (#B136), the Flower key (#B106), the Dog key (#B114), and the Cat key (#B115). The newer line of Forged Key Shapes (#B301-B304) are also top sellers, according to marketing Chloe Abling.
Lucky Line currently has more than 50 decorative key blanks available. The most recent additions to Lucky Line’s extensive line include the Butterfly key (#B147), the Rainbow key (#B148), the Horse Key (#B149), and the Unicorn Key (#B150).
As far as keyways go, Lucky Line Key Shapes are available in Kwikset and Schlage options. Many are available in Weiser, and less commonly, Lockwood, as well. All of Lucky Line’s Key Shapes™ designs are copyright-protected, enamel coated and printed in full color directly on both sides of high-quality brass key blanks. Each key is manufactured and inspected to comply with strictest tolerance using ISO 9001 certified processes.
Lucky Line offers a variety of display options for the Key Shapes™ line, Abling noted. “The Key Shapes Counter Display with Extender, #34007C, is the most popular choice as it includes all of the top selling Key Shapes and places the keys directly on the counter, in front of the consumer for high visibility and increased impulse sales.”
For more information, visit www.luckyline.com
Ilco
Ilco’s line of Personali-Keys includes several series. Big Personali-Keys come with a bigger bow and vibrant designs including anchors, bees, pink camo, peacock, chevron, eyes, ‘stache, twigs, skull and RealTree. Whimsical Key Shapes on uniquely shaped, oversized bows make keys much easier to locate on your customers’ key rings. These include owl, clover, paw, gears, apple, fire department, monkey and star.
Ribbon Personali-Keys represent causes including autism awareness, child abuse prevention, animal cruelty prevention, environmental protection, breast cancer treatment/prevention and safe return.
Personali-Key mates, which are pairs of key blanks that fit together to make a design. Also available are key blanks representing U.S. military branches and licensed team keys.
Most models are available in three common residential keyways: Kwikset, Schlage & Baldwin and Weiser. Merchandising displays are available through Ilco and Ilco distributors.
For more information, visit https://www.ilco.us/category/painted-keys
Other Options
There are plenty of other decorative key blanks out there, easily located with a Google search. One additional line worth checking out is Rockin’ Keys, www.guitarshapedkeys.com, ideal for the music lover with a large selection of guitar-shaped keys and space alien keys.
Key machine and key blank manufacturer JMA (www.jmausa.com) has introduced a line of neon-colored keys for Kwikset, Schlage, and Master Padlock. The keys come in seven vibrant colors and are sold in boxes of 50 assorted colors.
Emily Pike | Managing Editor
Emily Pike is managing editor of Locksmith Ledger International.
