Factory knowledge · Sourcing guides
Answers from the production floor.
Everything here is written by people who mold, print and inspect keycaps for a living. No affiliate links, no rewritten marketing copy — just what we tell buyers who email us the same questions.
Custom keycap MOQ: what actually drives the minimum
Why double-shot minimums differ from dye-sub, what a realistic MOQ looks like, and how to run a small batch without overpaying.
ProcessDouble-shot vs dye-sub keycaps
Durability, legend sharpness, color limits and cost — an honest comparison from a factory that runs both lines.
SourcingHow to choose a keycap manufacturer
The questions that separate a real factory from a trading company, and the red flags we'd check for if we were the buyer.
MaterialPBT vs ABS keycaps
Texture, durability, shine, sound, color and which printing process each material supports — from a factory that molds both.
LayoutKeyboard layouts & sizes
Full-size to 60% key counts and ANSI vs ISO vs JIS — and what each means for keycap kit coverage and MOQ.
ProcessCustom double-shot keycaps
Permanent molded legends in ABS or PBT, shine-through for backlit boards, in-house tooling. MOQ 2,000 sets.
ProcessCustom dye-sublimation keycaps
Gradients and full-surface artwork on PBT, plus reverse dye-sub for light-on-dark. MOQ 500 sets, 3–5 day sampling.
SourcingHow much do custom keycaps cost?
The six real cost drivers — process, tooling, colorways, layout, material, quantity — and five ways to lower your unit price.
DesignKeycap artwork & file formats
Accepted formats (PDF, AI, STP, PNG, JPEG), vector vs raster, Pantone color and outlined fonts — how to send print-ready artwork.
ProfileKeycap profiles explained
Cherry, OEM, SA, XDA, DSA, MDA and more — height, sculpt, sound and feel, so you can pick the right profile for a set.
CompatibilityWill these keycaps fit my keyboard?
Switch stems (MX, Topre, Choc), layout and bottom-row sizes, ISO/JIS — how to know a set actually fits.
MaterialPolycarbonate (PC) keycaps
The clear, strong material behind transparent, translucent and shine-through RGB keycaps.
ProcessCustom silk-screen keycaps
Crisp logos and line art on PBT, ABS and PC, including ceramic-effect finishes. MOQ 500 sets, 3–5 day sampling.
ProcessCustom laser-engraved keycaps
Permanent laser-etched legends, ideal for backlit and shine-through caps. MOQ 500 sets, 3–5 day sampling.
ProcessCustom UV-printed keycaps
Full-color, high-detail artwork printed onto PBT, ABS and PC — low minimum, fast sampling.