LEATHER CHARM BEADS. LETTERS AND NUMBERS

Leather Charm Beads - Letters and Numbers

Create personalized letters for leather charms, perfect as a keychain or  bag tag. 

 

This design is hard to print cleanly without full support, because the bead has a hole that creates a 90° overhang/bridge inside the model. I tested multiple orientations (upright, on its side, default-facing), and results vary by letter, some will fail or look messy depending on the character shape.

You can  print this with normal supports, but removing the supports, especially inside/around the hole, can be a real hassle and may leave ugly marks or even damage the letter. To make it consistent, I recommend using a reusable “support block” method. 

 

Materials / Filament Setup (PLA + PETG)

You can print this using PLA and PETG together:

• Beads: PLA material
• Support Block (reusable): PETG material

Why this works: PLA and PETG generally don’t bond strongly to each other, so the PETG support block can be removed cleanly and reused. (Small note: they can still stick a bit depending on temps/brands)

 

The Reusable Support Block Method

Instead of generating full supports every time (which adds print time and cleanup), use a simple rectangular support block that sits under the overhang area. This block acts like a custom support “platform” so the printer has something to print onto, especially around the hole overhang.

✅ Benefits:

• More consistent success across letters
• Cleaner hole/overhang finish
• Less print time (because you’re not printing supports for every bead)
• Reusable block (print once, use many times)

Membershiphis is optional, but if you’d like to support me, you can subscribe. Want to sell physical prints? Join my Membership (Commercial License) ✅ Members may sell 3D-printed physical items made from my files. ❌ Reselling or redistributing the STL/3MF (including remixes/derivatives) is not allowed. For questions or extended licensing, message me.

Please see video for the instructions

https://youtube.com/shorts/PqycBDSJObo?si=hLbV7lTbG6NxgOrq

 

Boost MeIf this file helped you, please tap Boost 💛 It’s a quick, free way to support my designs and helps me keep updating profiles, improving tricky letters, and releasing more charm-ready models. Thank you!

Feedback / Improvements

If you encounter a specific letter that’s giving you trouble, message me with:

• the letter/word
• your printer + slicer
• a quick photo of the failure

 

For the leather strap, you can buy one online. Just make sure it has center strip where the beads can slide and stay in place.

https://s.shopee.ph/8AQpdb3noB