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How To Make A Cool Map Rock Keychain

I got this map rock keychain idea after sorting out my kitchen drawer. You know, the one you stuff full of things you don’t know where else to put but think will be useful.

The one drawer in the kitchen you can hardly shut. As it’s packed to the brim of loose batteries, old keys, plugs, elastic bands, etc…

One of the many odd things I did come across in the drawer was a set of pebble tablecloth weights. They had never been used and were still in the original packaging.

I don’t know why I had them, as I never use a tablecloth. The weights looked incredible as they were simply smooth, flat pebbles with a clip. That’s probably why I bought them in the first place.

Printing Maps Onto Rocks To Make A Unique Keychain

I decided to keep them not as tablecloth weights but to revamp them into a unique map rock keychain. They look even cooler now as I printed maps onto them.

A map rock keychain would be a lovely gift, especially as you can print any map on them. You can use a street map of where you live or a map of your favourite holiday destination. They are so simple and easy to make.

I’ve printed maps onto wood before to make a printed map picture frame, and an IKEA hacked Mapbox map table. This time I thought I would use the same method to print maps onto a rock keychain.

Did you know you can print maps onto rocks with Mod Podge? I repurposed some pebble table weights to make a unique map rock keychain. They make a cool gift.

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What You Need To Make A Map Rock Key Chain

  • Flat pebble tablecloth weights – The ones I used were from FlyingTiger stores. But you should be able to find them in your local discount store or even on Amazon.

    You can, of course, find some flattish pebbles at the beach or river. Then use a rotary tool, such as a Dremel, with a diamond-tipped drill bit to drill a hole.

Tiger pebble tablecloth weights.

How to Make a Map Rock Keychain

Step 1: The first time I tried to print a map onto the pebbles, it wasn’t very successful. The maps came off too easily. The second time I used a primer first, and the map stayed on.

Therefore what you need to do first is to spray the rocks/pebbles with a universal primer.

Spraying pebbles with universal primer.

Step 2: The maps printed onto the rocks need to be a mirror image. Also, print them onto regular copy paper with laser ink.

Simply scan in any map you want to use. Maps can also be printed from the internet. There is an excellent selection of free antique maps on Pictureboxblue.

I don’t have a laser printer. I got my local copy shop to print my maps onto a sheet of A4 paper for a minimal cost.

Mirror image printed maps

Step 3: Cut out two pieces of the map for each side of the stone. If using table weights, remove the metal clip from the pebble, cover it liberally with Mod Podge, and stick the maps to it face down.

Map covered stones printing.

Step 4: Leave the paper-covered pebbles until the glue has dried thoroughly.

Once dry, wet the pebble under a running tap or in a tub of water and rub away the white paper. As you rub away the paper, you will see that the map has been printed onto the stone. Carry on rubbing until all the paper residue has been removed.

Did you know you can print maps onto rocks to make a really cool map rock keychain. This would make a lovely personalised gift.

Step 5: Finally, spray with a protective varnish to finish off the map rock keychain and then add a metal keyring.

Did you know you can print maps onto pebbles and stones.  Use this technique to create a map rock keychain.  These make for a lovely personalised gift as you can use a map of any town or city.

I love anything with a map, so I made a few of these keychains. One with a road map of Bedford, where I currently live. The other one has a Cardiff map for my son, who is currently studying there.

Print street maps onto stones and pebbles using Mod Podge to create a unique map rock keychain.  Makes for a lovely personalized gift.

Homemade Gift Ideas

I made a cute personalized wall key holder of my street for my map rock keychains.

Print street maps onto stones and pebbles using Mod Podge to create a unique map rock keychain.  Makes for a lovely personalized gift.

These map rock keychains would make a lovely housewarming gift or even for Father’s day. You could try printing other images on the rocks. Such as photos or even the logo of your favourite sports teams.

Since making this map rock keychain, I’ve had another clear out of my kitchen drawers where I found some old eyeglasses. This time I turned them into a world map necklace. Another quirky thing to make out of old road maps is these paper map moths for the wall. Check out many more map themed gift ideas here.

Map rock keychain fathers day gift

This Mod Podge printing technique was also used to print some DIY Alice in Wonderland baubles.

I have some other Father’s day homemade gift ideas on Pillarboxblue. If you like the map theme, check out the map decoupage glass trinket dish. Or the handy nightstand caddy.

You could make a lego photo frame for non-map-themed but still personalized gift ideas. Or even a personalized lightbox sign, craft beer can candles, and denim storage ottoman for the den.

Jennifer

Saturday 9th of December 2023

Will it make a difference if the paper is 20 lb vs 24 lb?

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

No I don’t think so.

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Tuesday 26th of November 2019

[…] Always loosing your keys? Not no more!This transfer paper projects is simple and so cute in the end to give these shabby rocks new life! Other cool ideas with rocks are:– The traveler: mod podge some land marks onto small stones– The gardener: transfer pictures of family onto large stepping stones all the way down to some garden markers – The office: Put some photos or paper lace on a large rock as a paper weight. Read more […]

Rachel

Wednesday 19th of June 2019

These are gorgeous! I'm seeing Christmas gifts in the future for some of these. :D Question: when you put the map on the rock does it need to be face down in order to transfer the image? Thanks!

Claire Armstrong

Wednesday 19th of June 2019

Thank you. Yes, that is why you print a mirror image.