All guides·Updated 2026-08-12

How to Punch Holes and Hang Perler Bead Keychains

Punching and ringing a charm is where beginners get nervous — one hard poke and you fear a crack. Follow the photos: light pressure, second-row center, twist the ring (never pull it oval).

Done look: jump ring through the top + ball chain (or any clasp you prefer).

Pick the golden hole spot first

Always aim for the second row center at the top. The outer first row snaps under load; too low hides the art and unbalances the hang.

Skip skinny necks and one-bead bridges — widen the top, use an embedded ring, or hang from a stronger area.

Step 1 — Twist the jump ring open

Clamp one side with pliers and twist the seam forward/back so the cut ends slide past each other. Do not pull left/right or the ring goes oval.

Hands twisting open a silver jump ring with needle-nose pliers next to a ball chain — Twist open on the seam — you should see a clean gap without stretching the circle.

More jump-ring open/close tips →

Step 2 — Poke from the back (second row)

Hold the charm and push a thumbtack, awl, or sharp tweezers through a second-row bead from the back — the pitted face is usually easier to start.

Go slow; you only need a starter hole, not a crater.

Pushing a pin through the second-row bead from the back of a perler charm — Back → front on the second row. Keep the first (edge) row intact.

Step 3 — Clean the hole from the front

Flip the piece and poke the same bead from the front so the tunnel is smooth on both sides. Enlarge only until a jump ring fits.

Needle finishing the hole from the front of a red-white-black perler bead piece — Back done → one light pass from the front for a clean exit.

Step 4 — Thread the open ring

Hold the open jump ring with tweezers or pliers and guide it through the hole. Keep the gap small so you do not snag neighboring beads.

Tweezers feeding an open jump ring through the top hole of a perler bead charm — Guide the ring through the hole — tools beat fingernails here.

Step 5 — Close and micro-tighten

Twist the ends back together, then pinch so they overlap a hair and the seam feels flush. A tiny leftover V-gap is how charms fall off later.

Close-up of a jump ring seated in a perler bead edge while being tightened — Adjust until the ring sits tight in the bead — no daylight at the seam.

Step 6 — Add the ball chain or clasp

Open the chain connector (or slide the chain through the jump ring) and you are done. Lobster clasps and gate rings work the same way once the jump ring is secure.

Finished white rabbit perler charm hanging from a white ball chain — Ring closed → chain or key ring on. Ready to gift or clip on a bag.

Other hole methods (when you have more tools)

1.5 mm hole punch: fastest round holes for beginners. Clear-bead leave-a-gap: plan the hole on the board before ironing (stuff a tiny masking-tape ball so the rim does not melt shut). Embedded ring: iron a matching bead already threaded on the jump ring onto the second-row top for a no-punch hang.

Hole too tight? Heat a pin in a lighter flame and melt-widen — smoother than cold forcing.

Quick fail-safes

Right after peeling parchment, press under a flat weight until cool so the charm stays planar for clean hardware.

Embedded rings can take a pin-dot of T9000 at the contact only. Painted jump rings: wrap pliers tips in masking tape so the color does not chip.

Free pattern maker →

Create a printable bead pattern