Material guide
Polycarbonate (PC) keycaps.
PC is the material behind every clear, translucent and shine-through keycap — the one plastic you can genuinely see light through. Here is what it does, where it wins, and how it pairs with legend processes, from a factory that moulds it.
PC (polycarbonate) is a strong, optically clear plastic — the material for transparent, translucent and shine-through keycaps, because it lets RGB lighting pass through in a way PBT and ABS cannot. It's tough and impact-resistant, printed with silk-screen, UV or laser. Rule of thumb: want clarity or backlighting → PC; want everyday texture → PBT; want bright solid colour → ABS.
What makes PC different
Polycarbonate is the same tough, transparent plastic used for safety glazing and lenses. In keycaps, its defining trait is optical clarity: it can be moulded fully clear, tinted-translucent or as a "pudding" cap with a clear side wall. That's why every genuine shine-through and RGB keycap is PC — PBT and ABS just can't be made truly see-through. PC is also strong and impact-resistant.
Where PC wins
- Shine-through & RGB backlighting — clear caps or clear legends that light up evenly.
- Transparent & "crystal" sets — fully see-through aesthetic builds.
- Pudding keycaps — opaque top with a translucent skirt for a lighting halo.
- High-strength clear parts — where toughness and clarity both matter.
How PC compares
| PC | PBT | ABS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Clear / translucent | Opaque | Opaque (translucent grades for shine-through) |
| Shine-through | Best — genuinely clear | No | Via translucent ABS double-shot |
| Feel | Smooth, firm | Dry, textured | Smooth, warm |
| Strength | High impact resistance | Good | Good |
| Legends | Silk-screen, UV, laser | Dye-sub, double-shot | Double-shot, UV, silk-screen |
| Best for | Clarity & backlighting | Durable everyday sets | Bright solid colours |
For the everyday PBT-vs-ABS decision that covers most sets, see our PBT vs ABS guide.
Legends on PC
Because dye-sublimation needs PBT, PC caps take legends by printing or etching instead: silk-screen for crisp single-colour logos, UV printing for full colour, and laser engraving to etch a legend that backlighting shines through. Which one depends on your look and lighting — send the spec and we'll advise.
FAQ
What are PC keycaps?
Keycaps moulded from clear, strong polycarbonate — the material for transparent, translucent and shine-through caps that RGB lighting passes through.
Are PC keycaps good for backlighting?
Yes — PC's transparency makes it the standard for shine-through and RGB caps, with legends added by silk-screen, UV or laser.
PC vs PBT vs ABS?
PC for clarity and lighting, PBT for durable everyday texture, ABS for bright solid colour and double-shot legends.