Unlock Your Keyboard's Personality: The Joyful World of Custom Keycaps

Expressing Yourself Through Keycap Customization

Comprehensive Guide to Mechanical Keyboard Keycaps

Exploring Keycap Materials

• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene):

• Characteristics: ABS keycaps are smooth, lightweight, and widely used on mass-produced keyboards. They are quite affordable to create.

• Pros: ABS keycaps are favored for their low price and ability to hold vibrant colors. They can be easily shaped, which is why they are used in many popular keyboards.

• Cons: Over time, ABS keycaps develop a glossy shine from wear and may fade or become unstable. They also provide a less harsh sound when pressed.

• PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate):

• Characteristics: PBT keycaps are more durable and resistant to wear than ABS keycaps. They have a rough, matte surface, which makes them less likely to shine.

• Pros: PBT keycaps are highly resistant to heat and wear, so their texture and print will endure much longer. They offer a firmer, more pleasurable typing experience with a particularly crispy sound.

• Cons: PBT keycaps are more expensive and difficult to shape than ABS keycaps, limiting the number of design and color options.

• POM (Polyoxymethylene):

• Characteristics: POM keycaps, also known as acetal or Delrin, have a smooth touch and are highly durable. They provide a unique combination of the benefits of ABS and PBT materials.

• Pros: POM keycaps are extremely durable and have a low friction coefficient, allowing for a smooth typing experience. They are durable and shiny, similar to PBT keycaps.
• Cons: POM keycaps are less common and could be more expensive than ABS and PBT keycaps. Their smooth surface may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who like a more textured finish.

• Other Materials:

• Resin and Metal: Artisan keycaps are often made of resin or metal. These materials are utilized to make highly decorative and one-of-a-kind keycaps that are valued more for their aesthetics than their functionality.
• Silicone and Rubber: Occasionally used for specialty or novelty keycaps, providing a soft and gripping texture, but are not commonly used for standard keycaps.

Overview of Keycap Profiles

• OEM Profile

• Characteristics: The OEM profile is commonly used on prebuilt mechanical keyboards. It features sculpted rows in which the keycaps on each row have different heights and angles, sloping from front to back.

• Typing Experience: OEM keycaps offer a typing experience at a reasonable height that finds an appropriate balance between ergonomics and simplicity of use. The shaped form allows your fingers to move smoothly over the rows, making it a popular default selection.

• Ergonomics: OEM profiles provide adequate ergonomics for the majority of users, however they may not suit those who seek a more customized typing experience.

• Cherry Profile

• Characteristics: The Cherry profile is shorter than OEM, with identical sculpting throughout the rows but a little lower height and gentle angles.

• Typing Experience: Cherry keycaps are favored for their comfortable, lower height and subtle sculpting, making them popular among enthusiasts who seek a smooth typing experience with minimal finger pressure.

• Ergonomics: Cherry keycaps are known for their ergonomic advantages, providing a comfortable and efficient typing experience, especially over time.

• SA (Spherical All) Profile

• Characteristics: SA profile keycaps are tall and spherical in shape, with a nostalgic look that evokes classic keyboards from the 1970s and 1980s. Each row is carved with a significant height difference, resulting in a highly curved shape.

• Typing Experience: SA keycaps offer a classic, deep-key feel due to their tall height and rounded tops. Typing on SA keycaps is often described as luxurious and thoughtful, but the taller keycaps may take some getting used to.
• Ergonomics: Due to their height and prominent sculpting, SA keycaps may be less ergonomic than lower-profile alternatives. They can be harder to use during extended typing sessions, but they offer a distinct tactile experience.

• DSA (Disk Shape All) Profile

• Characteristics: Keycaps are consistent across all rows, with a low height and flat, slightly arched tops. Unlike OEM and Cherry profiles, there is no sculpting between the rows.

• Typing Experience: DSA keycaps have a consistent feel regardless of row position, making them ideal for those who want a flat surface. Gamers particularly love the flat profile, which allows for quick and smooth movement across the keyboard.
• Ergonomics: DSA keycaps' low profile and uniformity reduce finger travel, which can increase typing speed; however, some users may find the lack of sculpting uncomfortable for long-term use.

• XDA Profile

• Characteristics: Similar to DSA, XDA keycaps have a flat top and consistent height, but are slightly larger and more rounded.

• Typing Experience: XDA keycaps provide a flat and vast typing surface, making it more comfortable for those who prefer a larger area to press keys. The huge surface area can also improve the visibility of legends.

• Ergonomics: XDA keycaps provide a similar ergonomic experience to DSA, with a low profile and reduced finger travel. However, their wider shape may appeal more to those who enjoy a bit more key surface during typing.

Getting Started with Keycap Customization

Artisan Keycaps

Custom Keycap Sets

Community and Collecting

Conclusion