Mechanical keyboards have seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years. With their satisfying, clicky feedback and durable build, it’s easy to see why. But beyond the feel and functionality of the keyboards themselves lies a whole world of customization – and keycaps are one of the most popular ways to make a mechanical keyboard your own.
Keycaps
Keycaps are the plastic covers that go over each individual switch on a mechanical keyboard. Stock keycaps are fine, but custom keycaps open up endless possibilities for aesthetics and personalization. Swapping out your keycaps is one of the easiest keyboard mods that can completely transform the look of your board. From materials to legends to colors, shape, and novelty designs – the world of custom keycaps is vast.
Custom Keycaps
Many enthusiasts see their mechanical keyboards as a canvas for creativity and self-expression. The keyboard community has really embraced the artisanal side of the hobby. Top-quality materials like doubleshot ABS and PBT plastic are crafted into stunning designs by small studios and individual artists. Figures from popular culture like TV shows, movies, video games, and anime inspire lots of custom designs. Novelty keycaps featuring food, animals, seasonal motifs, and more add whimsy and character to a keyboard.
Custom Keyboard Designs
On top of unique designs, custom keycap sets allow you to perfectly match your keyboard to your setup. Want your board to complement your PC case lighting? There’s a keycap set for that. Need some bright orange caps to match your brand colors? No problem. Modern keycap sets come in just about any color imaginable, opening up endless coordination possibilities.
Differences between keycaps
But custom keycaps aren’t just about looks. Different materials, sculpting, and legends can actually improve the feel and usability of a keyboard. For example, many enthusiasts prefer thick PBT plastic over standard ABS for its textured finish and durability. Sculpted SA profile keycaps have a high-angle dish that cradles fingers comfortably. Side-lit shine-through legends provide crisp clarity in low light. Choosing the right custom keycaps can optimize the tactile keyboarding experience.
Of course, you’ll want keycaps that fit your specific mechanical keyboard properly. Most boards use Cherry MX style stems, but form factors can vary. Standard layouts like ANSI and ISO are widely available, but compact boards may need special sized caps for odd shaped keys. Always check your keyboard specifications before buying keycap sets. Many group buys and limited runs sell out quickly as well, so jumped on sought-after sets when you can.
Replacing Keycaps
Swapping keycaps on a mechanical keyboard is a simple process. You’ll usually need a keycap puller tool to safely remove the existing caps without damaging the switches underneath. Then simply press the new caps into place. Proper alignment is important for both aesthetics and usability. With hot-swap keyboards now common, you may not even need to unplug your board to change keycaps.
So if you’re curious about testing the keycap waters, where should you start? Here are some popular entry points for beginners:
- Basic 104-key ANSI keycap sets – Affordable basic sets to cover standard US boards. Offered by many brands.
- Group buy starter sets – Smaller group buy sets are more accessible ways to try limited edition caps.
- Artisan keycaps – One-off sculpted novelty caps to accent your board.
- PBT shine-through sets – Affordable way to upgrade shine-through legends.
- Tai-Hao sets – Well-regarded basic PBT sets with fun themes.
- Drop keyboard collabs – Keycap sets offered through keyboard/community retailer Drop.
- Spacebar kits – Fun way to customize just your spacebar.
Conclusion
Once you dive into the world of custom keycaps, there’s really no limit to the possibilities. Express your interests, coordinate your setup, optimize your typing experience – all through creative and artisanal keycap designs. It’s one of the most satisfying ways to customize your mechanical keyboard and make it your own. The personalized keyboards crafted by this creative community are truly works of functional art.
