Make Your Own Custom Keycap Legends at Home

[@MyAmazingUsername]

This is absolutely insane. Thanks for sharing this. I could buy ergonomic blanks and still finally get the Colemak set I've been dreaming of!

[@MarkGattozzi]

You're a keycap legend for making this video and providing digital assets

[@OEDODRAGON]

I get the pun! x)

[@somethingwitty4237]

This is amazing! Lol, my hair straightener should feel scared now

[@SOFA_1997]

I just bought blank XDA PBT keycaps and will definitely try this with them (I have some spairs for testing). My dream set are xda's in an iso-de layout with mac & windows modifier (I use the keyboard on both systems) and suiting a 65% keyboard (showing the layers). Finding iso-de keycaps alone is extremely hard by its own, but ones with these special legends, absolutely impossible. I thought I'll just be using the keycaps blank, but with this method, my dream set my become reality.

[@kazumamon]

Me wanting to do this in German Layout to but ANSI DE. Did you already start the process?

[@freeubi]

Yeah, i can get blank keycaps pretty easily, but I couldnt find a shop where I can make custom text on them...

[@kotamoore737]

I’d love to see you make the templates on illustrator as well as the printing process so that way I don’t mess things up as well as being able to create other sized keys

[@craigrmeyer]

Those who missed it because they're as impatient as I am: He has the hair iron set to 450F = 230C.

[@winandd8649]

Yeah, i was thinking in celsius and thought "wow, can the keycaps handle that!?"

[@lordofstrandhill]

​@@winandd8649Haha was thinking in celsius too, but my concern was more like "dang that flat iron thing is intended for hair, why does it even get so hot" 😂

[@Omega-EP]

@@winandd8649 How can the hair iron...?

[@Maite-AileenBrandt]

​@@lordofstrandhill@winandd8649 Lol, I was thinking exactly the same ... Now I feel stupid ... again (so, kind of feeling as usual c: )

[@sjay4673]

Some great info here! Looking forward to your update as you refine the process further.

[@VaracolacidVesci]

I know this is an old video but you helped me to come up with an idea to make mine very consistent 1.- Make sure they are mx profile or you have to have different "molds" for each keycap row. 2.- Get some 2 part rubber mold silicone 3.- make a little box with some 1mm acrylic and put some liquid silicon and a keycap facing down on it to make a mold (i made mine like only 1/3 deep since I only need the very top on the mold) 4.- make the keycap printing sheet using a cricut machine with the print and cut so it adds the registration marks on the sublimation sheet 5.- send the print sheet to my local printing shop where they can print using sub dye 6.- cut the sheets using my cricut (they are perefect as it has the rcricut registration mark) 7.- Place the cut letter facing up into the mold with a a little bar glue on each corner to secure it once i press the blank key on the mold 8.- press it with an iron as you do. 9.- Enjoy the perfectly aligned subdye key :D

[@garretreed9709]

subscribed for this. Thank you!!! since macropads have become popular, was having a hard time finding exactly what I needed on each key

[@oleurgast730]

Very nice solution. Might be the perfect solution to restore the caps for an old Amiga. Exept for the first Amiga 2000 (using Cherry keys and doubleshoot) all later Amigas had padprinted keycaps. If you retrobright them, sometimes the protection paint get damaged - and the printed letter can be washed away. If you do retrobrighting two or three times (keycaps in a box, covered with hydrogenperoxide, 4h in the oven with about 60°C) you surely loose the old lettering completly. This might also be a solution for new keyboards, if they have white padprinted keys (I might try it with the Pi 400 used as Amiga emulator to design the keys Amiga compatible...) - you remove stock letter this way and get blank caps.

[@globalist1990]

Wouldn't a clothes iron work?

[@flytlies]

Hi have you improved your process already would you be so kind to make another video of it. Im actually planning on doing this as well so i can get my wanted icons on keycaps 😁

[@getthething]

I have some ideas, I just haven't had the time (read: motivation) to try any of them yet. It also likely involves additional equipment that some folks won't have.

[@samsonwan2003]

This is great! You've solved my keycap conundrum and probably many other people's. I've been looking everywhere for the keycaps I'd like, but there are always slight issues that don't fit the project I'm making. With your method of dye sublimation onto the keycaps, I'll hopefully be able to buy blank DSA/XDA PBT keycaps and customise the print on top. This is really helpful. Just one thing, where did you get your silicon from? I'm assuming the part underneath is thick and angled slightly, to block heat and also so that the top of the keycap will be as flush with the hair straighteners.

[@getthething]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful. It was from an old ice cube tray that I cut up

[@whereIsJerome]

this is super cool. do you have a follow up on your process?

[@aanders0n]

Have you checked the black/brown dot on your left hand?

[@Xenon_177]

Would this be possible with a normal clothes iron?

[@LarryStone-q6r]

Amazing resource! Thanks for making it. Some questions: 1) Does the etsy shop expect the art to be in reverse or do they do it? 2) Where do you get the silicone (?) pads?

[@TravisDDenis]

Will this work on ceramic keycaps?

[@dwisiagawanto6412]

Can I use an office printer for the paper?

[@jhopiv]

Maybe it's just me but who downloads only HDR? I have a MacBook Pro and wow it was soooo bright and after going blind for a while I found the brightness buttons. is there a way to turn HDR off on KZbin?

[@Plane12567]

Will a laser printer work? Or is it just that type of paper and printer

[@ast3663]

great technique..a pity you cant print white letters for black keys..

[@izouille_8536]

hello ! super nice video !! I didn't quite understand how you managed to get your patterns on the special paper. for example I would like on each key to have the letter plus a character in Japanese..; how can I do ? thankss

[@ansoncall6497]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Have you refined the process?

[@jonas-fr]

Around 2:30 you talk about degrees but are those standard worldwide Celcius/Centigrade degrees or the US only Fahrenheit variation?

[@wornpartsnpieces]

He's using freedom units. I don't think many hair straighteners can go to 450C - that would be terrifying.

[@tejashavsingh5553]

will it fade out?

[@rareyman]

How about white on black?

[@hovig.creates]

Great video! Thanks a lot for sharing. I came across this because I was looking for a way to make custom shine-through keycaps. Even though this isn't the solution I was looking for, I really liked your approach and learned a lot! Is there any other way to do it besides using a hair iron? My wife would kill me if I used hers! Maybe a regular iron? How do you control the temperature to 450°F / 230°C? :) Hmm, anyway, if I fail to make shine-through keycaps, I will try this method and then think of another way to iron them, besides the often-used hair iron.

[@kronlund420]

if you end up refining this process, another video would be greatly appreciated

[@mrskwrl]

Super cool! Any update on the jig? Is it possible to do white lettering on black caps?

[@getthething]

Unfortunately no, since the dye is being impregnated into the material, the dye must be darker than the material. There is a technique called "Reverse dye sublimation" but I don't know anything about it. I think it requires special equipment.

[@sig1761]

Do these fade over time?

[@TristanBailey]

Could you use an iron too or the hot irons get warmer?

[@getthething]

I’m not sure what temp a household iron can reach. It’s like possible to use one though. Comment if you try it out!

[@objectpdfmov]

just what i was looking for!

[@jasonwilliamrubi4293]

hello may i know how and where platform did you print for the vinyl paper with spacing equally for the legends so that it won't be a waste on space for the paper. thank youu in advance for replying 🙏 wanting to have a darkgrey/grey keycap with black legends and custom other colors also, hoping for your reply.

[@illegallyimported8385]

Where's a good site to get some high quality white blank keycaps? I'm nervous about getting crappy quality.

[@vjchrisintha]

This is a great tutorial, not easy but still doable. I have two question; I'm planning to do it from home, so I wonder if does it work if I print to dye sublimation paper using a standard printer? and the yellow tape, can I use any scotch tape or is there any specific kind of tape I have to use for the hair iron? Anyway, thanks for the tutorial!

[@wornpartsnpieces]

I realize this is a bit late, but: Dye sublimation paper *can* be done on a standard printer, but you'll need to change out the ink cartridges for dye cartridges. A brief googling says that'll be a project all on its own. Yellow tape: That's kapton tape. It can withstand ~450 degrees f without melting, burning or leaving horrible residues on things, which coincidentally is what he set that straightening iron to. Scotch tape shouldn't be used above 100 degrees f - if you've ever had saran wrap touch the wrong part of the stove, that mess is what you're signing up for if you try to secure dye sub transfers with it. Good luck with your project

[@Kablash]

What kind of silicone pads are those? Are they some special kind or does any silicone pad with similar thickness work?

[@sch0les]

what about using a oven instead of a flat iron? Can it work well too?

[@bertongtutong7207]

how do i undo the print on the keycap?

[@freddycap2844]

What kind of printer would i have to use? and could i perhaps print white font and then heat it onto black keys?

[@UmbraChad]

I. Dont understand why your so so so underrated

[@Madoc_EU]

This really blew my mind. Sure, it's not the easiest thing in the world. But with the right tools and some practice and patience, I guess I could pull this off too. Thanks a lot for that! Only one question remains: Do you know any viable method for making custom dark keycaps, with lighter labels on them?

[@oleurgast730]

Have not test it, but you might use ultra fine embossing powder. Make a stamp ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3-6hWenbJpsp7M ), use a glycol stamppad, put stamp on keycap, the powder will adhear where you put the stam, use a heatgun and melt the embossing powder. Might not be as detailed as dysub, but should work...

[@paramsonawane]

Did you use normal ink in the inkjet printer or some sublimation ink? Also will laser printer with dye sublimation paper work for this ?

[@mahjarx]

this is an amazing found, any updates on the rig btw ?

[@1tzelG_]

funciona con teclas pintadas con píntura en aerosol rust oleum 2x rosa claro? ya no utilizo mi plancha de cabello remington. :D

[@Edugamer23343]

Can somone tell me the things i need for this please.

[@ToiletDuck88]

Do you have more close up photos of the prints on the keycap? I wanted to see if how clean the edges are :) Thanks!

[@3333218]

Does this work on Ceramic keycaps?

[@getthething]

Doubt it, but I'm not sure. I'm not a dye sublimation expert. Just a curious guy who tinkers haha.

[@3333218]

@@getthething Great tinkering btw!

[@jaronimoh]

This is so awesome! So once I get the paper.... Do i need to go anywhere special to get the designs printed? Or does a normal injket printer work?

[@getthething]

The link listed is for a place that will print the design for you. It requires special ink. There are ways to convert some inkjet printers to print dye sub ink, but I've never done it.

[@motioz8423]

What is the red material? Where can i buy this? Thanks

[@GabyTM1]

Incredible helpful tutorial sir! Do you know if this can be used for keys who's design goes on the sides as well? Or what other DIY tools I could use for that?

[@LisaL.]

I wonder if you can dye sub using an oven instead? Potentially you can bake all the keys in one shot

[@getthething]

I think it requires some pressure, but I have had some people suggest irons or heat presses for pressing more at one time.

[@mistermaster4106]

Hi! This is a long time after you posted the video, but hoping you could respond. How can you tell that you got the correct measurements for the lettering in Adobe illustrator? I don’t want to accidentally print tiny text or giant text. This might seem like a dumb question, but please!

[@huntzzio]

How do you make the keycaps different color? Many keycaps sets aren’t the colors or legends I like, so it would be useful to customize that along with the dye sub. Are the sheets like different colored or something and you just order blank white keycaps?I love your DIY process! I plan on trying it!

[@corgikun2579]

I know this is old but many digital artist want a small shortcut keyboards for photoshop or clip studio paint or lightroom or capture one. yo u might be able to sell custom small keyboards or keycaps with the tool icons

[@rin8835]

Thanks, really helped!

[@katasiapa]

Now all I need it's just the hair straightener

[@kevinantony714]

did you ever get to refining the process? I saw the completed board and it looks amazing!

[@getthething]

Thank you! I haven't. The problem I need to solve is how to get the legend cut out of the paper exactly the right size and shape. That would also change depending on the key profile. Kinda tricky. I eyeballed all of them. It's not perfect but it's pretty good.

[@Watermelllon53]

@@getthething might be tough during Covid, but if you have access to a laser cutter you might be able to cut a ton at once!

[@drazen4368]

amazing job, very nice

[@teyboard]

Can dye black keycaps with color fonts?

[@Becon032]

Any idea where i can find dye sub sheets with shipping to Europe? I been searching, but i cant find anything

[@VLLL-bc3ll]

I just riceived my A4 sheet today from CPL Fabbrika, a store based in Italy. You can search for the website, there should be the shipping cost for all countries

[@markprice9810]

Good trick if you have a south facing LED keyboard and you only have side engraved keycaps.

[@beasotelo4759]

i imagine this would work in the oven as well right? bc i dont have a flat iron and you could do many at the same time in the oven

[@getthething]

I doubt it. It requires pressure. And because you’re not applying the heat directly, you wouldn’t get quite the required temp. You could try it I suppose.

[@BenedictTanShanWen]

This is really cool, thanks for sharing! 😀

[@unknown_kidd4455]

Update?

[@TheSoybean3r]

How many uses did they last for?

[@getthething]

They shouldn’t really every wear out. The dye is actually part of the plastic after heat and pressure are applied.

[@TheSoybean3r]

@@getthething Sorry, I meant the papers. I just realized how vague my question was

[@getthething]

@@TheSoybean3r Ohhh gotcha. Ya know, I've only ever tried pressing them once. I guess it's possible it might print again, but I suspect it would be significantly lighter than the first pressing.

[@KTP-k9c]

What's kind of silicone pad???

[@mitschnel607]

Can someone help me? I'm looking for a full size gray, white, or black (or any of these colors mixed) keycap with white, black, or gray letters that are easy to see because I don't want the LED light to go through it. These lights just don't look good (I can turn the lights off tho) .. I've been looking for one for 2 hours but can't find anything ... If any of you know a website that looks for a set like or just be able to search for a set that matches my description please tell me :)

[@lokeyartist]

how much to buy some from you?

[@hunzhurte]

Is that °C or °F?

[@KGaru21]

What's the name of the song you used for the video?

[@Sigiruna]

Do you know anyone who does this as a service?

[@nooooooooooooooooooo]

This is really cool!

[@LoOkSeGamiSA]

Hey what did you use as silicone pad?

[@badasspuppy]

Are there different types of sublimation papers or whatever? I printed a sheet on a local store, they said it wouldn't work because this is for fabric printing, and well, they were right. It didn't work. My keycap melted a bit, and the paper itself seems to have a sort of film that did melt a bit and stuck to the key, but the ink didn't transfer. After this experiment it looks like the paper you're using resists the heat and only the ink melts to fuse with the plastic.

[@getthething]

Honestly I'm not sure. I just ordered it printed from the linked Etsy shop. All I searched for was "sublimation prints". Also, double check your keycaps are PBT. ABS will melt.

[@toniwonkanobi]

Quite innovative!

[@Hyydrotoo]

Have you refined it already? I am really worried of not getting the print in the same position on all caps.

[@khosbayarbuyandalai2481]

Great video! Thanks a lot for doing such a useful resource on KZbin! You made my day... Question. What size did you pick when you were ordering the sheet? There are a couple of options there. Please let me know, I will be waiting for your reply.

[@getthething]

Thanks for the compliment! I got 8.5" x 14" but it doesn't matter as long as you layout the legends on a file that matches whatever paper size you choose.

[@khosbayarbuyandalai2481]

@@getthething Thanks for letting me know :) I have noticed that you mentioned about it in the end of the video. Also I have ordered my sheet today! Also can you suggest where to find small sized silicone heat press pad? As I see that on the internet, there are huge anywhere.( I just need for this concern tho - too big :D )

[@getthething]

@@khosbayarbuyandalai2481 Probably too late, but I just used an old silicone ice cube tray. Any heat resistant silicone should work. Baking sheet or oven mitt for example.

[@wintxrs6842]

can i make it where i can use any photo or something like that so it cuts it out on its own so i can the put it on the keycaps. Like i want an anime themed one but i cant find any online and i have the photos but i want to know how i can transfer that onto the sheet

[@getthething]

If I understand correctly what you mean, yeah I think so. As long as the printed colors are darker than the keycap and the image isn’t too detailed to print that small, it should be fine.

[@dzaneenadaze]

Super love this! Thanks so much!

[@halo32133]

what happens when you fuck up a keycap? Can you remove the dye?

[@getthething]

No. At least not cleanly. I guess you could theoretically sand it down, but since the dye is actually impregnated into the plastic, it’s *in* the plastic. Just gotta try again I suppose.

[@maxioozora7856]

need for spacebar , shifts, and 1.25u

[@ivans3806]

What a coincidence, just today I've been thinking that I'm pretty set on my current keymap for Dactyl-Manuform - would be nice having the legends on, with various layers etc. Edit: could I use a laser-printer for this task - would it transfer the black toner in same manner?

[@getthething]

I don’t know much about using a laser for this but I have seen some videos about it. I imagine it would work!

[@tookitogo]

It might transfer, but I kinda doubt it will adhere very well. If you do try, you’ll definitely need to make sure to degrease the key top thoroughly first.

[@faro9364]

Please could you make a template for a 60 percent keyboard?

[@fangqi4412]

Can u print white ink on black key caps?

[@getthething]

Nope. The dye has to be darker than the keycap color or it won't show up.

[@libelldra5138]

Hey, how did u get the legends centered in the sheet? I'm trying to figure out but i'm really bad at that kinda thing

[@getthething]

I just eyeballed it tbh. It’s not perfect. Using the tape stuck to one side let me make small adjustments. I have some ideas for how to improve the process. But adhd keeps getting in the way. Ha.

[@DrZipZwan]

Make a focus point on the other blank side of the paper, this way when holding the tape, you will know when to stick, meaning when it is a the center position. Additionally to that, you may cut the printing paper much smaller, only keep what you want to print on the key, plus 2 min. Going to help during the centering.

[@craigrmeyer]

Blank keycaps from where?

[@stig6370]

Amazing video thanks you, did you manage to get a jig setup? Would love to see that

[@stuffistyping]

botots binted?

[@amminadabz]

Great video! Is it possible to use this process to print white legends on darker caps?

[@getthething]

Thanks! Not using this method. The dye must be darker than the plastic.

[@bobbyboygaming2157]

what is that red foam called?

[@DAOXINNo15]

Where can I buy a silicone when heating them. Been struggling to find one that is good or help. Any idea where to buy it or something?

[@getthething]

I just used an old silicone ice cube tray that I cut up. I would think any silicone baking sheet or oven mitt would be fine as well. Anything that can withstand the heat.

[@alpacamale2909]

does the template work with DSA? also do you know if I could have these sheets printed on a store thatrints t shits? technically they use similar paper, right?

[@getthething]

It's dye sublimation paper which they do use on t shirts. I'm not sure if there are any differences though. They are a little bigger than a DSA profile, but you could cut them down or adjust them yourself.

[@lukeellicott2810]

Great video! Motivated me to get some sublimation done on some keycaps - out of interest, what font did you use for the example keycap? - fancy some like that myself 👌

[@getthething]

Thanks! It’s SF Pro Light. One of Apple’s system fonts. They use SF Pro on all their current keyboards. Though I’m not sure which weight.

[@noahkiser]

Love seeing that a hair iron works for this! What keycaps are those? DSA or XDA? What is your source for blank ones? I would love to order a few. Thanks for the very informative video!

[@getthething]

Most in the video are XDA (I guess technically XDAS) the purple one is DSA. The DSA caps are from pimpmykeyboard.com and the XDA are from amazon www.amazon.com/ONECAP-keycap-Keycaps-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B07Q8649YK/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-drs3_0?crid=3CRW1UU8JM5BY&cv_ct_cx=blank+xda+keycaps&dchild=1&keywords=blank+xda+keycaps&pd_rd_i=B07Q8649YK&pd_rd_r=2cd2eef0-ad7c-4a4f-a5ee-078540991172&pd_rd_w=4KhFJ&pd_rd_wg=zgcL0&pf_rd_p=c33e4373-edb9-47f9-a7e6-5d3d6a7a4ad0&pf_rd_r=B690DJAD9XKCY6GS998A&psc=1&qid=1606328849&sprefix=blank+xda+key%2Ctools%2C730&sr=1-3-5e875a02-02b1-4426-9916-8a5c26cd5a14

[@whatskraken3886]

he says xda in the video lol

[@Queekusme]

Has anyone had success doing this to 3D printed caps… my concern is that some 3D printing filament will just melt when put in the iron, but obvs don’t wanna break the bank on expensive filament etc…

[@pineappleonpizza8128]

Hello! I ordered some blank keycaps that seem to be at a similar dark-grey-ish colour as yours in your vid, do you in any way find them harder for the ink the sink in? ( or do you need to apply more heat/ pressure etc.) Because I heard online the darker the keycaps are the more it struggle with the process ! Now I’m scared >< Great tutorial btw!!

[@getthething]

They definitely don’t show as distinctly as they would on a white cap. Just because of the contrast. But as long as the legend is darker than the cap, it should still show up. It’s hard to say without knowing the difference between the two though.

[@PoloFreitas]

Excellent, good job, I'll try to do the same, but what kind of red silicone?

[@getthething]

I just used an old silicone ice cube tray. You should be able to use any heat resistant silicone though. Baking mat, oven mitts, that kind of thing.

[@gnome4869]

Amazing video. Def earned a like from me

[@alpacamale2909]

have you tried dye subbing OEM caps?

[@getthething]

the profile doesn't matter as long as they're PBT. The template might not fit that well though so you would either want to cut them to fit or make your own pattern.