Hi everyone — Eugene here with Darkroom Software! Today, we’re diving into a fun novelty product you might remember if you grew up in the 80s or 90s: the classic keychain viewer. Back then, we used slide film to create these tiny keepsakes, but you can still add them to your photo booth business today. Here’s how.
Supplies You’ll Need
To make keychain viewers, you’ll need:
- Keychain viewers (Neil Enterprises is a great source)
- Photo prints in the correct size
- A paper cutter or specialty punch for precise cuts
- A punch is a big time-saver if you plan to offer these often — it ensures you get the exact size every time, saving you the hassle of trimming tiny images by hand. See an example here.
A quick shoutout to Neil Enterprises for providing these viewers — one even had an old photo of me still inside!
How It Works
Keychain viewers aren’t something you can print and hand out immediately. You’ll print a photo, cut it to size, and insert it into the viewer. See how easy it is in this video.
Here’s the basic process:
- Create a Template:
Set up a photo template for the viewer size. A typical size is about 24 x 36 mm, but if you’re using a punch, I recommend making the image slightly larger — around 30 x 40 mm — so you have a little wiggle room when punching it out. You can find a template to get you started here on our support page. - Print the Image:
Use Darkroom Booth software to print the photo on a standard 4×6 sheet. You can easily cut the image out with scissors or your punch. - Assemble the Viewer:
Insert the trimmed image into the keychain viewer. That’s it!
Take It a Step Further with Print Alternate
Want to get even more out of each session? You can use Darkroom Booth’s Print Alternate feature.
For example, you can:
- Set up your normal photo strip — say a 2×6 strip with three photos.
- Add an alternate print that outputs a single image in the correct size for the keychain.
This way, every session can produce both a strip and a keychain insert — giving you an easy upsell! When your guest finishes their session, you’ll have the strip ready to go plus a mini print to punch out and pop into the viewer or even a locket.
Tips for Best Results
- Use a Punch: A specialty punch makes quick work of creating consistent, clean inserts.
- Pay Attention to Quality: Since the viewer magnifies the photo, make sure your prints are sharp and clear. The higher the print quality, the better the final result.
- Bundle for More Sales: Keychain viewers make a great add-on product. Guests love walking away with a nostalgic keepsake — and you gain a simple way to boost your event revenue.
Explore More
If this is something you’d like to offer at scale, check out our video on Darkroom Core. Core is designed for high-volume workflows — like the gift shop photo counters you see at theme parks. It’s the perfect companion if you want to add novelty products like this to your business smoothly and efficiently.
Bring Some Retro Charm to Your Next Event
Keychain viewers are a fun throwback that can add unique value to your photo booth packages. They’re easy to create, inexpensive, and delightfully nostalgic.
I hope this gives you some fresh ideas for your next event. If you’d like to see more product ideas like this, drop us a line — and a big thank you again to Neil Enterprises for helping make this video possible.
Thanks for reading, and happy shooting!
— Eugene