I Made my Own Keyboard Keycaps!!

[ColinLTT]

Is your keyboard just not.. YOURS enough? Today we’re building our own heat press to show you how to dye sublimate images directly INTO blank keys to truly customize your keyboard.

 

 

 

Buy Epson Workforce WF-7710 Printer
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Buy J-B Weld High Heat Epoxy
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Buy Polyamide (Kapton) Tape
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Buy Sublimation Paper
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Buy Dye Sublimation ink
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Buy 12V Heating Element
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Buy Empty Ink Cartridge
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[minibois]

Support your local macro king in these trying times, print them out some keycaps!!

/s

 

Really interesting video. I have been interested in some custom keycaps.. But I think getting a whole separate printer for that goes just.. You know, a bit above what I would want to pay!

 

P.S. an Epson EcoTank would have probably been easier to mod with this ink, since those don't require empty ink-tank that are specific to the printer; since the printer itself has tank to refill.

Those seem to be more expensive though, as I don't see the entry model ET-2600 or ET-2650 though.

 

EDIT: I just want to leave this video from TaeKeyboards here, for those interest in dyeing an entire keycap:

In the video, Tae mentions you can only go 'darker' in color (e.g. a black keycap can't get a new color through this process, since it is already the darkest color) which seems to confirm a portion in the video, where Linus mentioned the black keycap did not work in transferring the image.

[ColinLTT]

14 minutes ago, minibois said:

Support your local macro king in these trying times, print them out some keycaps!!

/s

 

Really interesting video. I have been interested in some custom keycaps.. But I think getting a whole separate printer for that goes just.. You know, a bit above what I would want to pay!

 

P.S. an Epson EcoTank would have probably been easier to mod with this ink, since those don't require empty ink-tank that are specific to the printer; since the printer itself has tank to refill.

Those seem to be more expensive though, as I don't see the entry model ET-2600 or ET-2650 though.

Yeah, I made a fail and ordered the wrong ink - so fallback plan was to order the dye sub sheets printed by a local sign shop or printer shop. Its much cheaper than doing your own printer setup, definitely look into it if you'd like to do this yourself!

You can also make pretty much any heat/pressure combo work, like a clothes iron or a hair straightener - get creative! 

[Eschew]

...!!!

Very nice, very nice, I like these DIY projects, and dipping into custom/modded keycaps scene was an added bonus! I'd be interested in seeing how durable those keycap prints are over time or whether the ink degrades under long-term light exposure (photodegradation?), and whether the printer ink rubs off on your fingers from extended use?

 

Thank you for the video, I really enjoyed this one! 

[Bluebull]

Love these DIY projects! Maybe ill hyrdrodip some cool ones for my k95

[minibois]

5 minutes ago, ColinLTT said:

Yeah, I made a fail and ordered the wrong ink - so fallback plan was to order the dye sub sheets printed by a local sign shop or printer shop. Its much cheaper than doing your own printer setup, definitely look into it if you'd like to do this yourself!

You can also make pretty much any heat/pressure combo work, like a clothes iron or a hair straightener - get creative! 

This past week I've been doing some work on a project for a small 'macropad', so some custom caps would definitely be something I will add to its idea list!

 

P.S. I have been really liking the different keyboard videos over the last couple months (like the metal keycaps, keyswitch showdown and now this one too) and hope LTT considers doing more videos about keyboard (like maybe a sequel to the custom keyboard video with soldering now or maybe a keycap type showdown (PBT vs. ABS and different profile types). With different plastic types (and thicknesses), I am interested if people can tell the difference.

9 minutes ago, Eschew said:

 and whether the printer ink rubs off on your fingers from extended use?

Yea! A 1 year update on quality would be cool!
Maybe someone can try to take a picture of some of the keycaps (perhaps particularly the darker ones) with a certain light setup and next year a picture can be taken with the same setup to check if there is a (significant) difference?

[ColinLTT]

11 minutes ago, Bluebull107 said:

Love these DIY projects! Maybe ill hyrdrodip some cool ones for my k95

We've done a hydrodip video actually! 

That said, I wouldn't mind giving it a try with a keyboard, I may give it a shot with some of the Yampad macropads I'm machining right now -- just for fun. @minibois

[fellowsets]

Nice project! What temperature did you use on your heating pad?

[ColinLTT]

44 minutes ago, fellowsets said:

Nice project! What temperature did you use on your heating pad?

The heater I used peaks at 220C, where it should remain. I didn't measure it however, but that's a good number to shoot for. 

[maksakal]

Discuss on the forum: **LINK TO DISCUSSION THREAD**

I'm not pointing fingers, but somebody forgot something.

[ColinLTT]

7 hours ago, maksakal said:

Discuss on the forum: **LINK TO DISCUSSION THREAD**

I'm not pointing fingers, but somebody forgot something.

Fixed, thanks! 

[Void Master]

17 minutes ago, ColinLTT said:

Fixed, thanks! 

TBH this might be unrelated....

But u are the most responsive member of the LMG staff.

Keep it up please

 

[thadeus]

i have small workshop, i make variety sublimation products and this is one of the best way to produce personalized products.

 

epson print heads best choice for diy applications and there is lots of epson models with ink tanks. L series printers are most easy to use.

 

sublimation ink needs around 180-200 degrees C (350-400 degrees F)for application.

glass, procelen, metal, wood (basically anyting not plasticc) surfaces is not suitable for sublimation out of the box and needs special polyester coating. there are lots of materials fabricated for this, mug for sublimation for ex.

plastic and polyester fabrics can be usable directly but remember it needs high heat to sublimate  ink from paper to the item so heat may deform or burn you item.

i use Epson L220 with sublimation ink. i have 30x60 cm heat press, mug press and cap press. 

 

if anyone needs help i am happy to help you out.