# Making layered charms with the Symbol Charm Generator > turn any icon into a layered charm or keychain, laser cut or 3D printed Pick a symbol - a dolphin, a paw, a flower, a heart, one of hundreds in the library - and the generator builds it into a finished charm. The icon becomes the top detail layer, and a slightly larger silhouette of the same shape sits underneath as a solid backplate, so the two colors read as one clean layered piece. Every charm gets a proper hanger hole with a reinforced ring, and you can switch on a name in the script font of your choice to hang beside it. Everything exports as SVG for laser cutting or STL/3MF for 3D printing. ## What you need - **Laser cutting:** 3 mm [acrylic](https://yxecreations.com/pages/acrylic-sheets) in two contrasting colors for the layered look, or [laser-grade plywood](https://yxecreations.com/collections/laser-grade-plywood) for a warm wood version - **Laser assembly:** CA glue or [3M 467/468 tape](https://yxecreations.com/collections/3m-tape) to bond the detail layer to the backplate - **3D printing:** any FDM printer; a multi-color setup makes the two-layer contrast automatic - **Hardware:** [keychain snap clips](https://yxecreations.com/products/keychain-snap-clips-multiple-colours) or split rings and jump rings ## Step 1 - Choose a symbol Browse the symbol gallery by category or use the search box to find a shape by name. Click any symbol and it drops straight onto the canvas as a layered charm. Simple, bold icons make the strongest charms; very thin or highly detailed icons can get fragile at small sizes. ## Step 2 - Tune the charm, backplate, and hanger hole - **Charm Size** sets the finished width - 50-70 mm is the sweet spot for a bag charm or key ring. - **Backplate Size** controls how far the solid backing extends past the icon. A small amount reads as a clean halo; more gives a chunky, bold outline. - **Detail Thickness** fattens the icon strokes so fine lines survive the cut and hold up in use. - Open **Hanger Hole Settings** and adjust **Hole Size**, **Inner Hole Size**, and **Hole Offset** so the ring of material around the hole stays at least 2 mm wide. ## Step 3 - Add an optional name Turn on **Add a Name** to personalize the charm. Type the name, pick a font, and it renders as its own cut piece sized to match the charm. Bold, rounded script fonts connect cleanly and survive small sizes. Leave it off for a clean symbol-only charm. ## Step 4 - Export Download **SVG** for the laser - the backplate, symbol, and name come out as separate paths laid side by side, so you can cut each from its own color of material. For 3D printing, set a thickness and download **STL** or **3MF**; the file is a single merged multi-layer model with the icon raised above the backplate. ## Laser Cutting ### Laser cutting 1. Cut the backplate from your base color and the symbol detail from a contrasting color. On plywood, a light engrave pass on the detail edges adds definition. 2. Deburr and peel masking, then bond the detail layer onto the backplate with a thin bead of CA glue or pre-applied 3M 467 tape - tape is cleaner on glossy acrylic. 3. Keep cut speed conservative on the hanger ring; it is the highest-stress area of the whole part. 4. If you added a name, cut it from a third color and glue it beside the charm, then thread a jump ring through the hole and clip on a snap clip or split ring. ## 3D Printing ### 3D printing 1. Export the 3MF and slice with a 2-3 mm backplate and 1.5-2 mm raised icon detail. 2. Set a filament swap at the layer where the icon starts, or assign colors per part on a multi-material printer. 3. Print flat on a textured plate, 100% infill - these parts are small and live a rough life in pockets. 4. PETG survives keys and weather better than PLA; pick a bold icon so the raised detail stays legible after printing. ## Make it yours - Match the symbol to the person: a paw for the dog walker, a music note for the band kid, a plane for the traveler. - Two-tone acrylic combos sell: glitter icon on matte black, pastel on white, mirror gold on deep green. - Turn on a name to make gift tags and party favors that are personal at a glance. - Cut the charm from clear acrylic and engrave the detail instead of stacking for a subtle glass-look tag. - Print a glow-in-the-dark detail layer so keys are findable in a dark bag. - Make a matching set: the same symbol at a few sizes for a keyring, a zipper pull, and a bag charm. - Match the snap clip color to the detail layer for a finished retail look. --- Open the Symbol Charm Generator: https://www.mylasertools.com//symbol-charm-generator Read online: https://www.mylasertools.com//learn/guides/symbol-charm-generator