Chances are, you’ve had a keycap come off your keyboard at some point in your life. Keycaps come off all too easy, and it tends to happen right when we need them most. If you have a 3d printer, you might be wondering about how to make 3d printer keycaps.
3d printed keycaps are great to print when you are in a bind or if you just want to create a unique and cool design for your keyboard. There are two main types of keycaps you can 3d print: replacement keycaps and artisan keycaps.
Replacement 3d printer keycaps are just exactly what they sound like; a replacement for your old and broken keycap. Artisan keycaps are specialty keycaps that have a unique and cool design.
Artisan keycaps are not typically used for every key. Generally, you would make an artisan keycap for one or a few keys that are out of the way of typing, such as the escape key, or power key.
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Can I 3D Print Replacement Keycaps?
3d Printed Keycaps by junaling
Short answer: yes you can 3d print replacement keycaps for your mechanical keyboard. Is it worth it? That depends on how much you value your time. A full set of keycaps can range anywhere from $15 to $45.
Designing a keycap that fits correctly onto your keyboard, and looks nice will likely take some trial and error. Plus, post processing (such as sanding) to ensure that the layer lines are gone. Saving money by 3d printing your own replacement keycaps can be worth it to some, but a waste of time to others. That is up to you to decide.
Pros and Cons of 3D Printed Keycaps
3D printing your own keycaps has some advantages and disadvantages. Check out this list to figure out if 3d printer keycaps are for you:
Pros
- Many color and material choices; filaments come in all kinds of colors, as well as materials being able to choose exactly what you want is a great reason to 3d print your own keycaps.
- Fun, does this really need any more explanation?
- Affordable; this is especially true if you are looking for artisan keycaps.
- Great for customizing exactly what you want.
- Ability to create your own designs or find other cool ones already made.
Cons
- If printing replacement keycaps, may not be cost-effective for you, given replacements are already inexpensive.
- It might not withstand heavy use.
- Poor resolution for FDM printers when printing small scale.
- Measurements and fittings need to be precise, especially the underside of the keycap that fits into the switch, this can be challenging and/or time-consuming.
How to Design Your Own 3D Printer Keycaps
Deathtrooper head keycap by rshakur
Keycaps cover the switch on your keyboard. The switch is what gets pushed on to send signals to the computer, telling it what key you selected. Keycaps are detachable from the keyboard. This allows you to clean underneath, customize, and is also the reason why keycaps often fall off.
Designing your own 3d printer keycaps takes some precision. This is because you need the keycap to fit into the keyboard switch perfectly.
If you are new to designing your own 3d prints and would like to learn more, check out this post.
3D Printed Artisan Keycaps
Pac-Man Cherry MX Keycaps by FedorSosnin
Artisan keycaps are specialized keycaps that are made to make your keyboard or gaming system look extra cool. They can be made out of a variety of different materials.
Non 3d printed keycaps are most commonly made with resin. Artisan keycaps are hand designed and made by an individual (aka the artisan).
3D printed artisan keycaps are primarily made with PLA on a filament printer, or resin printed using an SLA printer. You can design your own 3d printed keycap, or you can find other peoples designs and print those. Keep reading to find some great 3d printer keycap designs.
3D Printed Keycaps to Download
Some great places to look for 3d printed keycaps for downloading are: Thingverse, Cults3d, Shapeways, CGTrader, and MyMiniFactory.
There are SO many different and cool keycaps to choose from, and the best way to find what you want is looking through the websites mentioned above. But if you’d rather not spend the time, here are some of the most popular designs I found while doing my search (aside from the ones already pictured throughout this post):
If Minecraft is your game, these Minecraft Ore Keycaps by ellienn are a great way to add some character to your keyboard.
This Mimic in training keycap is a cute little addition to your keyboard. Check it out here: MIT_keycap (Mimic in training) by Obieteru
This Pokemon keycap set by Hiko 3d is a timeless and classic addition.
These Fantasy Keycaps have an amazing amount of detail designed into them. I would love to print these using a resin printer and paint them using acrylics.
Best Filament for 3D Printer Keycaps
Given that PLA is the easiest to work with, PLA is the best filament to choose when it comes to 3d printing keycaps.
If you want your 3d printed keycaps to have multiple colors, painting them using acrylics is a great option. If you are just starting out with acrylics (or if you are like me and aren’t very artistically inclined) using acrylic pens are an easy and affordable option.
Can You 3D Print Resin Keycaps
3D printing keycaps with a SLA printer is probably the best option, if you have access to a resin printer. Resin printing your own keycaps will give you better results than using a filament (FDM) printer. Resin printing is best for small things (such as a keycap) and will give you the best details.
How Do I Replace Keycaps?
If you have a keycap on your keyboard and you would like to replace it, luckily it is relatively easy. You want to take great care not to ruin the switch, which would cause you to break the keyboard.
Although you can pry off your keycaps using pliers and a flat head, you may want to get a keycap puller tool. They are very affordable, and will ensure you don’t damage your keyboard switch.
To remove your keycaps, start by disconnecting your keyboard from its power source. Then, press down straight onto the key with your keycap puller. You should hear/feel the tool click into place. After that, gently pull the keycap up (this will require a little bit of force). Be sure to pull straight up. Twisting and pulling at different angles can cause damage to the switch.
Conclusion
Keycaps can be 3d printed. You can print replacement keycaps for your mechanical keyboard, although this may not be worth the time and effort to you, given the cost of replacement keycaps.
Artisan keycaps are custom-made keycaps to make your keyboard look better. Artisan keycaps can be made with filament and resin printers. You can design your own, or search for many pre-made designs.
When pulling your keycaps off the keyboard, be sure to use a keycap puller and take care not to damage your keyboard switch.
Happy printing!