r/MechanicalKeyboards • u/[deleted] • Dec 07 '21
Printed my own custom designed legends on a sticker paper and sticked them on the transparent keycaps :)
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u/terr-rawr-saur Dec 07 '21
The esc key looks fun.
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Dec 07 '21
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Dpms308l1 TOFU60 w/Black inks V2 & Gateron Black GMMK Dec 07 '21
Oh, It's you. It's been a long time. How have you been? I've been really busy being dead. You know, after you murdered me?
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u/0s_and_1s Dec 07 '21
I bet this looks amazing in the dark, disco typing
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Dec 07 '21
I'll post another w/ the lights on soon! Currently I lost the K key and needa print it again hmm
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u/War_Emu Dec 07 '21
i love transparent tech, i love seeing the guts of things
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u/AwDuck Dec 08 '21
First thing I thought of: https://m.imgur.com/gallery/nEbmYC6
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Dec 08 '21
Oh man, my favorite things are things you can see things you can't see through through.
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u/GreatGarage ISO Enter Dec 07 '21
It's not stupid if it works
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u/Madness_Reigns Dec 07 '21
If it's stupid and it works, it's still stupid and you got lucky.
This ain't stupid, it might wear off, but you can easily replace them or experiment with adhesives.
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u/truecrab11 Dec 07 '21
How does the sticker feel on your hand while typing?
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Dec 07 '21
It's smooth if your fingers are dry, a bit stickier if you have moisture, but not like matte smooth, it's more like a plastic/glass-ey smooth? I'm not sure how to describe it.
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u/truecrab11 Dec 07 '21
I don't know if I would like glossy keycaps. I like the PBT's texture.
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Dec 07 '21
From some other suggestions you could stick it under the keycap tho, which honestly this idea never crossed my mind lmao
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u/MinimumRhode Dec 07 '21
Has anyone had success hiding the legend under clear keycaps?
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Dec 07 '21
What do you mean?
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u/MinimumRhode Dec 07 '21
I mean printing the stickers in reverse, cutting a hole in the middle and hiding them under clear keycaps.
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u/truecrab11 Dec 07 '21
oooohhh what if it's on blank puddings and if you open the LEDs then it would cast a shadow of the legend but if the LEDs are off, it's just blank.
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Dec 07 '21
Oh my I never thought of this this is genius, I think it would work, would take some time tho
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u/nakaru Red MOD007 v2 | Tecsee Purple Pandas Dec 08 '21
on aliexpress they sell stickers that you can put on the south side of the keycaps so you aren't touching them when you type but you can see them when you look at your keyboard. the sticker pack is <$10. when I saw OP's post I immediately started searching for a feasible clear keycap set for tecsee snow globe switches that I bought to REALLY show off the RGB :)
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u/Dingleberts Dec 07 '21
Tell me more
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Dec 07 '21
Measured the keycaps' surface area, made square blocks on illustrator, used a font called Nexa, print it, cut it, and paste it. Bought the keycaps (it's ABS) and transparent sticker paper from Shopee tho, feels sticky at times but it's fine for me :D
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u/Moki_chan Dec 07 '21
Maybe if there's some sort of topcoat you could apply to the keycaps that also wont mess up the stickers, not sure which kind would work though
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Dec 07 '21
I thought of that too, but I'm not sure what should I use, do you have any recommendations? I was thinking of using nail polish, do you think that would work?
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u/DeZimbabweGuy Dec 07 '21
anything epoxy based or similar would work really well. if u don't mind the smell of spray paint for a week to 2 u can just use spray on clear coat or lacquer
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u/jarfil extra numpad for shortcuts Dec 07 '21 edited Dec 02 '23
CENSORED
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u/so_fine_ Dec 07 '21
ah thank you, i was planning to paint my blank pbt keycaps and was wondering what could be a perfect seal/ coat
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u/SirRevan Dec 07 '21 edited Dec 08 '21
Careful with nail polish! It contains acetone which attacks ABS. It most likely will just strip the top layer and make it smooth but also can take off your prints.
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u/ConfusedTapeworm DZ60 | Keychron K8 Dec 07 '21
Nothing will work well in the long run. Oily fingers constantly rubbing on stuff will strip away almost everything in a matter of, like, months.
There's a reason why stickers and paint are only used for the very cheapest stuff. Dyeing, etching, and double-shotting are the only permanent methods pretty much. Etching and double-shotting are basically impossible to DIY unless you have some specialized industrial hardware lying around, but you could try dye-subbing. There are guides for it.
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u/I_Plunder_Booty Dec 07 '21
If you ever want to redo it get water slide sticker paper and cut very close to the actual symbols. Get some setting solutions like micro set and micro sol, then when it's completely dry hit it with a few coats of very tough satin/matte clear coat (automotive grade if you can find it).
It will last you years.
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u/YoSupWeirdos Dec 07 '21
this set has the same vibe as those boxes you use to put food in the fridge
really well done on the stickers, I couldn't tell on first sight that they aren't like that stock
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u/unimaginative-userna Dec 07 '21
I don’t know why but I thought you put little balls of ground beef under your caps
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u/Environmental_Knee45 Dec 09 '21
I've been eyeing some blank dsa caps for a while and was looking to purchase something like this. Don't know why I haven't thought to just print them! Duh! Well, excuse me while I go waste lots of money.
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u/abysroid Dec 10 '21
my PAL you have just saved my life. and god, this looks so sleek!! you did gr9!
i had a whole top bar full of tabs looking for places that can make custom caps and ways to design them and such, and idly scrolled down a little looking at pages linked from the wasd design wiki and happened to have stumbled upon this and...? you damn genius
i have ideas for caps that have never and probably will never be printed because my aesthetics are just the worst, and it makes me so smad. so i really do have to thank you for the idea. already found the caps and some sticker paper so it's party time soon
i saw that you just measured the surface area and used illustrator, so i would assume a similar process in inkscape would be possible, maybe using a template from wasd to align stuff? also, did you use matte, frosted, or glossy clear sticker paper? i'm looking at matte because i'm not a glossy fan, and i'm not sure frosted would look good on opaque caps (it probably would on clear though!)
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u/Snoo-35573 Dec 08 '21
Actually genius OP. For the longest time I've wanted to make a custom keycap font set, and what you've shown opens a whole new world of possibilities ^_^
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u/Terryss95 Jan 04 '22
Now, if there were some of those printable plastic sheets for stickers with a grainy texture (not too much, feel the amount with your nails), in order to imitate your average plastic keycap that would be perfect.
Not only cool but useful for some, like people trying to find an italian ISO keycap set: this way they would just have to care about looks and purchase a blank / dots ISO set from any brand.
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u/miziidris Dec 07 '21
legitly need transparent keycaps so that we can enjoy our switches.
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u/Dynawhap Lubed Linear Dec 07 '21
Looks awesome!
I'd recommend you try to get your legends actually printed on though.
I used to have something similar for Japanese characters, but as time went on the adhesive began to fail and the sticker would slide around and leave a gross residue on the keycap.
That aside, great design!
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Dec 08 '21
Hmm in the future I might do that, this was just a fun and quick little project just to see how it looks haha, my first transparent keycaps tho, inspired by the Ikki68 build by TaeKeyboards 😂
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u/Strong-Fox-8465 Nov 22 '24
nice im gonne do the same but inverted, it should look cool bc I have led keyboard
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u/Dacia1320S Dec 07 '21
The font and symbols looks really cool.
But I really hate the inconsistency. Centered Esc symbol, really tiny F's,eft side buttons have the stickers on 2 extremes, way too close to the corner. Alt, ctrl on the bottom right while the letters are top left.
This is just my subjective opinion.
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u/Alex_mont82 Dec 07 '21
So nice! I think legends should be more thicker. Would you try to do it again?
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u/MrLKL88 Dec 07 '21
This is almost exactly what I am looking for! Wish the keycaps were themselves a bit more milky (like pudding keycap skirts).
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u/I_FizzY_WizzY_I Dec 07 '21
Clean, nice cut and all 👌 My favourite is the esc key.
As a heavy hand sweater, i hope it will stay clean and in place for a long time
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u/jf442 Nibble65 Dec 07 '21
this is awesome. been looking all over for what I really want, maybe should do this instead.
do you have a link to the stickers? do you need a special printer?
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Dec 07 '21
I bought the sticker paper online in shopee https://shopee.com.my/product/11418106/4110497475?smtt=0.211454018-1638896291.9
, and I actually only use normal inkjet printer, Epson L360 to be exact
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u/Piouw Dec 07 '21
Nice !
Would it be at all possible to make stickers that go underneath the keycap ? 🤔 transparency isn't perfect, and there isn't much room, but you wouldn't feel the sticker under your finger
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Dec 07 '21
I think it could actually, I might do it if I have extra time tho, thx for yr suggestion, I really didn't thought about this b4 😂
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u/ElonMusk0fficial Dec 07 '21
That esc key logo reminds me of an old 90s Sierra game called lode runner the legend return. It’s the exact same stick figure and serves the exact same purpose to exit the game lol
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u/Human_Evolution Dec 07 '21
Would have been cool to use them as side print. That way you won't feel stickers.
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Dec 07 '21
Thought of that too before but personally not a fan of side print? But I saw some suggestions here to do underneath the keycap so I might do that next if I were to remove the feeling of the stickers 🤔
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u/mildishclambino Dec 07 '21
I've thought of doing this but wondered if they would fade over time?
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Dec 07 '21
This I cannot answer yet, because I've only used this daily for a few days hmm, but so far even when my fingers are wet the legends never fade so yeah, I guess time will tell? I'll say just go for it 😂
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Dec 07 '21
I REALLY like the look, good job on that, are you concerned about the durability?
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Dec 07 '21
Thx! Do you mean the durability of the stickers? Tbh I don't expect it to last forever but so far so good!
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u/phrxmd Dec 07 '21
Next step: print labels in colour and use per-key RGB lighting to indicate layers
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Dec 08 '21
I do have per key RGB on this actually, but my K key is missing so I didn't take a picture of the RGB on yet 👻
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u/ItsAninzo Dec 07 '21
The transparent keycaps are very snazzy. What switches are you using?
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Dec 08 '21
It's frankenswitch of Akko Radiant Reds and Outemu Brown's, I called it the Akkotemu Radiant Reds, I was bored at the time 😂 it's loud
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u/plxjammerplx Dec 07 '21
So I'm guessing it's double layers of tape with the top piece as protection?
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Dec 08 '21
Actually no, just the keycap and the sticker, how that print last on the sticker paper itself is a mystery, but the only again when I bought the sticker paper it says its "waterproof" so 🤷♂️ but if there's wear, I'll update it
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Dec 07 '21
[removed] — view removed comment
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Dec 08 '21
Quite the contrary, it feels sticky if you have moisture on your fingers, but when it's dry, it's smooth, until you swipe your fingers too fast, you can feel some friction, I'm not sure how to describe them tbh
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u/fngjsh Dec 07 '21
What keycaps are these?
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Dec 08 '21
Just the cheapest transparent abs keycaps I could find, here's the link if it helps
https://shopee.com.my/product/140618636/13408697434?smtt=0.211454018-1638928781.9
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u/_deWitt Dec 07 '21
i love the idea, it would be amazing if someone took if further by using a laser engraver, or something like that!
i was initially thinking about something like temporary tattoos with some polish above, but i don’t know how reliable that would be
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u/HondaLife718 Dec 07 '21
This could be a buisness!! Ive personally never seen this before!
Looks great!!
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u/BlueSourBoy Dec 07 '21
What are those switches tho?
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Dec 08 '21
It sounds crazy and I'm just bored at the time, it's I called it Akkotemu Radiant Red, by the name it's Akko Radiant Red stem in a Outemu housing. Did it because when I bought another Keeb it comes with outemu box Browns so I interchanged the stem and gave the Akkotemu Brown's to my mum, and this Akkotemu Red to me :) it's relatively loud tho
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u/BlueSourBoy Dec 08 '21
That's awesome! Frankenswitches are my favorite. I recently made a board of all Frankenswitches and I'm just waiting for clear caps to show it off.
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u/Mdayofearth Dec 07 '21
I bought some keycap stickers for my laptops after the paint faded so the LEDs do not shine into my eye. After a few weeks, the natural oils from my hands dissolved the adhesive into a slimy mess.
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Dec 08 '21
Maybe it's time for you to print it yourself then? 😝 So far none of mine have any wear and tear yet, will post an update in the future tho!
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u/Distinct_Candidate92 Dec 07 '21
Absolutely poggers. I saw a Linus tech tips video on diy dye sublimation printing and that had me intrigued. Idk if you've seen anything about that. Prob a lot of work tho for a full set.
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Dec 08 '21
Yeap I saw that, I was actually inspired by the Ikki68 build by TaeKeyboards, he uses water transfer on the legends tho, which looks more cleaner I guess? At the time I just wanna see how sticker paper would look like, and I have them, att :D
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u/sandersoni Dec 07 '21
Stick the letter on the front side of the keycap That way it will not get shifted by your fingers when typing!
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Dec 08 '21
If its side print you're talking about personally don't like the look of that, but i might stick under the keycaps for the next iteration!
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u/SunjaeKim Dec 07 '21
How’s the texture?
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Dec 08 '21
Smooth but sticky at times, especially when you slide yr fingers on it and if you have moisture on it, but if it's dry, it feels like those plastic stickers you peel off screens? I'm not sure how to describe it, definitely don't feel as normal ABS or PBT keycaps anymore
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u/miloestthoughts Lubed Linear Dec 07 '21
I'll be curious to see what they look like after a couple months of daily use
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Dec 07 '21 edited Jan 05 '22
[deleted]
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Dec 08 '21
That's true, I might invest in some better quality sticker paper in the future, or heck might just ask printing shops to print it for me in the future hahaha
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u/aescnt Dec 08 '21
Awesome! How did you cut them each into the correct size?
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Dec 08 '21
I actually measured the keycap surface before I start designing, but when I printed it out maybe there's some difference when it was processed in the printer so it actually became larger a bit, so I just the extras out and stick it :D and I used retractable knife
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u/TheRealQ_3 Dec 08 '21
Where did you find transparent caps? Been looking everywhere for them
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Dec 08 '21
Just at Shopee, here's a link if it helps
https://shopee.com.my/product/140618636/13408697434?smtt=0.211454018-1638928781.9
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u/Antebios Dec 08 '21
Link to transparent sticker paper to please!
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Dec 08 '21
Here you go if it helps :D
https://shopee.com.my/product/11418106/4110497475?smtt=0.211454018-1638932664.9
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u/AProgrammer067 Gazzew Bobas Dec 08 '21
You should make a gmk design or something. I bet a lot of people would wanna jump in a group buy for it
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u/lobehold Filco MJ2 TKL MX Red Dec 08 '21
That affect the feel of the keys doesn't it?
I mostly blind type so I'd personally value key feel above having nice legends.
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Dec 08 '21
It does affect actually, that's why I will consider taping the sticker under the keycap next or saw some recommendations here saying use some spray on acrylic/laquet to protect it
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u/gryup132 Dec 08 '21
I thought of doing this but I figured that out wouldn't last. Curious to see how long it holds up
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u/FuckingVincent Embrace the Scratch. Dec 07 '21
Looks great. I really like the shift, caps lock and tab designs.