The Ultimate Guide to Keycaps: Material, Profile, and Beyond

Keycaps Material Profile refers to the top part of a keyboard key that you press with your fingers. They come in many shapes, sizes, and materials. Keycaps are important because they affect how your keyboard feels and looks.

This guide will help you understand keycap materials, profiles, and designs. You’ll learn how to pick the best keycaps for comfort, sound, and aesthetics. It’s everything you need to know to customize your keyboard.

Keycaps Materials

When it comes to keycap materials, the choice affects the feel, durability, and sound of your typing experience. The three most common keycap materials are ABS, PBT, and POM. Each of these materials has unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS keycaps are widely used due to their affordability and versatility. They are light, easy to mold, and allow for vibrant colors and designs, making them a popular choice for customizable keycaps. However, ABS keycaps are known for becoming shiny over time due to oils from your fingers. 

They may also wear faster compared to other materials. If you don’t mind a little shine developing over time, ABS keycaps are a budget-friendly option that delivers an impressive range of designs.

Read More: Dvorak Keyboard Layout: A Complete Guide

PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)

PBT keycaps are known for their durability and high-quality feel. These keycaps are resistant to wear and tear, making them ideal for heavy typists or gamers. Unlike ABS keycaps, PBT keycaps do not develop a shiny surface from oil and remain textured for a long period. 

The downside of PBT keycaps is that they are more expensive and often come in fewer color options.Their long-lasting nature makes them a top choice for people who want to invest in high-quality keycaps.

POM (Polyoxymethylene)

Are a premium material known for their smooth texture and durability. POM keycaps offer a satisfying feel when typing, and their high density contributes to a solid typing sound. 

They are less prone to wear compared to ABS keycaps, and while they are more expensive, they offer superior durability. POM keycaps are perfect for those who want a smooth, quiet typing experience and don’t mind paying a little extra for quality.

Manufacturing Processes

How keycaps are made can affect their durability, design, and feel. Different manufacturing processes offer various benefits depending on your needs.

Double-shot

Double-shot keycaps are produced by molding two different plastics together, creating a durable, long-lasting keycap where the legends (the text or symbols on the key) won’t wear off. 

This process makes double-shot keycaps extremely durable and resistant to fading. For those who want keycaps that will last for years, double-shot keycaps are an excellent option.

Dye-sublimation

Dye-sublimation keycaps use heat to infuse dye into the keycap, making the legends a permanent part of the plastic. This process ensures that the legends do not fade over time. 

While dye-sublimation works well on PBT keycaps, it does have some limitations in terms of color options and design complexity compared to other methods.

Laser Etching

In laser etching, a laser is used to etch the legends directly onto the surface of the keycap. While this method is cost-effective, the engraving may wear down with heavy use. 

If you are looking for a more affordable option, laser etching keycaps might be the right choice, but they might not be as durable as double-shot or dye-sublimation keycaps.

Keycaps Profiles

Keycap profiles refer to the shape and height of each keycap. The keycap profile affects typing comfort, speed, and overall aesthetics. Some profiles are sculpted, while others are uniform across all rows of keys.

Cherry Profile

The Cherry profile is one of the most popular keycap profiles due to its relatively low height and comfortable typing feel. It is sculpted, meaning the keycaps in different rows have varying heights. 

Many gaming keyboards and mechanical keyboard setups feature Cherry profile keycaps because of their ergonomic benefits and ease of use.

OEM Profile

OEM profile keycaps are the default profile on most commercial mechanical keyboards. They have a moderate height and a slight sculpted shape that makes them comfortable for both typing and gaming. OEM profile keycaps are a good middle ground for those who prefer a comfortable, yet versatile typing experience.

SA Profile

The SA profile features tall keycaps with a spherical top, creating a retro feel. SA profile keycaps are popular among people who want a distinctive typing sound and feel, but they may not be as comfortable for long typing sessions due to their height.

ASA Profile

ASA profile keycaps are slightly shorter than SA profile keycaps but still have a sculpted design. They are known for their ergonomic design, offering a comfortable typing experience without being as tall as the SA profile.

DSA Profile

The DSA profile is uniform across all rows, meaning every keycap is the same height and shape. This uniform keycap profile is often preferred by gamers who want a consistent feel across their keyboard. DSA profile keycaps are flat, making them ideal for those who need quick, easy key presses.

MDA Profile

MDA profile keycaps are shorter and have a spherical top, similar to the DSA profile but with more sculpting. This profile is great for both typing and gaming, offering a smooth and comfortable experience.

JDA Profile

JDA profile keycaps are similar to SA profile keycaps but shorter in height. They offer a satisfying typing sound and feel but are better suited for people who want something less tall than the traditional SA profile.

XDA Profile

The XDA profile is known for its uniform shape and flat design. These XDA profile keycaps are popular among people who prefer a more minimalist look and a smoother, more consistent typing experience.

SAL Profile

SAL profile keycaps are a variant of the SA profile with a slightly different sculpted shape. They provide a comfortable typing experience while maintaining a retro aesthetic.

OSA Profile

The OSA profile is another uniform keycap profile, similar to the DSA profile, but with a more comfortable shape for typing. It provides a smooth typing experience for both gamers and typists.

Read More: 75% Keyboards: Compact and Functional

Uniform vs Sculpted Keycap Profile

When choosing between uniform keycap profiles and sculpted keycap profiles, the main difference is comfort and typing feel. Uniform keycap profiles are consistent across all rows, which can be great for gaming setups where quick key presses are necessary. 

On the other hand, sculpted keycap profiles have varying heights and shapes for each row, providing a more ergonomic and comfortable typing experience, especially for long sessions.

Keycap Compatibility and Layouts

It’s essential to ensure that your keycaps are compatible with your keyboard’s layout and switches. The layout defines the position of the keys, and different layouts require different keycap sizes and designs. Most modern keyboards follow the ANSI layout, but some use the ISO layout, which may affect keycap compatibility.

Standard Layouts

The ANSI layout is the most common layout in the United States, with a standard-sized enter key and a left shift key. The ISO layout, which is more common in Europe, features a differently shaped enter key and additional keys like the < > key.

Keycap Size and Stem Compatibility

The size of each keycap is essential for compatibility with your keyboard. Standard keycap sizes include 1U for most keys, but certain keys like the spacebar may be larger. 

Keycap stem compatibility is another crucial factor. Most keycaps are designed to fit Cherry MX-style stems, but other switches, like Kailh or Razer, may require different keycap types.

Choosing the Right Keycaps

Choosing the right keycaps depends on your personal preferences, typing style, and budget. When selecting keycaps, consider the material, profile, and design. Material preference plays a major role in the typing experience. 

For instance, if you want durability and comfort, PBT keycaps are a great choice. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, ABS keycaps might work best. Additionally, think about the profile of the keycaps. 

If you want a smoother, more consistent feel, uniform profiles like DSA or XDA might be ideal. On the other hand, sculpted profiles like Cherry or OEM provide a more ergonomic and comfortable typing experience.

Material Preference

If you care about keycap durability and don’t mind spending a bit more, PBT keycaps are highly recommended. However, if you’re working with a tighter budget, ABS keycaps are still a solid option.

Profile and Shape

The profile of the keycap can change how comfortable your keyboard feels. For those who type a lot, sculpted profiles like Cherry or SA provide an ergonomic experience. Gamers, on the other hand, might prefer the flat, consistent feel of DSA or XDA profiles for speed and accuracy.

Aesthetic and Design

Aesthetic choices can define your keyboard’s overall look. If you have a custom RGB setup, you may want to choose pudding keycaps for better RGB backlighting. If you’re more into minimalist designs, uniform keycap profiles in neutral colors might suit you better.

What are Pudding Keycaps?

Pudding keycaps are a popular trend in the mechanical keyboard community. These keycaps feature translucent sides that allow RGB backlighting to shine through, creating a vibrant and eye-catching effect. 

They are available in different materials, but most are made from ABS for their ability to allow light to pass through. Pudding keycaps are ideal for gamers who want to show off their RGB lighting setups or anyone who enjoys visually stunning keyboard aesthetics.

Conclusion

Choosing the right keycaps can greatly improve your typing and gaming experience. Whether you prefer the durability of PBT keycaps or the smooth feel of POM keycaps, there are many options to consider. Understanding keycap profiles, materials, and compatibility helps you find the perfect fit for your needs.

In the end, the best keycaps are the ones that make you feel comfortable and match your style. Take the time to explore different options, and don’t be afraid to customize your mechanical keyboard to make it uniquely yours.