Why I needed tactile key labels
I’m blind, and a crowded key ring can slow me down. I kept mixing up keys for the door, locker, and cabinet, and I didn’t have the time—or the skills—to learn CAD. I needed a simple way to make clear, durable braille tags I could feel instantly.
What didn’t work
I tried stickers and metal tags with tiny print, but they felt identical and wore smooth. I wanted consistent tactile labels with short braille words and a compact shape that wouldn’t snag in my pocket.
How I built the keychains without CAD
Fast text and braille
I typed a short word and turned on braille text. The generator handled dot spacing and font choices for the printed letters so sighted coworkers could read them too. I could switch between raised (embossed) and engraved styles in seconds.
Shape, holes, and extras
I picked a small rounded plate with a hole for the key ring and an optional slot for a ziptie. Sizing sliders made it easy to keep the braille line centered and tactile. When I needed reference info, I added a tiny QR code that points to a URL with room numbers.
Confident preview and export
A live 3D STL preview let me check alignment and text height by feel descriptions from my screen reader. Once it looked right, I exported clean STL/3MF files and saved a bundle for future keys.
The result
Now each key feels unique at a touch, and I don’t fumble at the door anymore. Friends can read the print label, and the QR helps staff verify access without guessing.
Where I find solutions like this
For reliable printable labels—braille tags, nameplate designs, and small signage—I use a site built for quick, flexible 3D-printable labels with smart text tools and ready exports.