Crafted from high-quality injection molded plastics, PBT keycaps are often considered the best choice for enhancing your typing experience. With the growing popularity of mechanical keyboards among writers, programmers, and gamers for their comfort, tactile feedback, and reliability—not to mention the limitless customization options—the significance of keycaps cannot be overlooked.

Keycaps are not only the visual signature of your keyboard but also the canvas for your personal expression. Depending on the material, they can be the part of your keyboard that wears out the quickest or lasts the longest. Understanding how PBT keycaps elevate the typing experience, how to upgrade your keycaps, and some creative examples to inspire you can be invaluable.

PBT keycaps are made from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) plastic. This material is quite versatile and used in various applications, from automotive connectors to TV accessories, toothbrush bristles, and of course, keyboards.

So why does this matter? Firstly, PBT plastic is incredibly durable, making it ideal for components that undergo repeated stress, like keycaps. PBT keycaps are often thick, sturdy, and feature a textured, almost sandy surface, giving them a premium, heavy-duty feel during typing.

PBT plastic also boasts resistance to chemicals, preventing erosion from solvents and oils. This ensures that even after prolonged exposure to natural oils from your skin, the keycaps do not develop a greasy shine. Additionally, PBT is highly resistant to extreme temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, preventing discoloration and fading over time.

Given its unique properties, the production cost of PBT is higher compared to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, which is the mainstream choice for many keyboards. ABS is easier and cheaper to mold, making it suitable for mass production.

In contrast, ABS keycaps tend to be lighter and smoother but wear out faster. They lack the UV and oil resistance of PBT keycaps, which often leads to a noticeable shine and gradual yellowing over months or years. PBT keycaps, however, can retain their appearance for decades of regular typing.

PBT keycaps are produced through an injection molding process. Factories melt thermoplastic compounds like PBT into a liquid state, then inject them into molds to shape the plastic into keycaps. The process for PBT keycaps is more challenging and costly due to the material’s heat and chemical resistance.

Marking the legends (letters and characters) on the keycaps involves additional steps that can be performed either during or after the injection molding process.

• Pad Printing: This method uses ink to print the characters directly onto the keys. It’s the cheapest and least durable way of adding legends, as the ink wears off with extended use. Pad printing is mostly used for commercial ABS keycaps and rarely for PBT.
• Laser Etching: This technique employs lasers to burn away the top layer of plastic, either coloring or engraving the text. Grooves can be filled with additional colors to make the legends more prominent. Some manufacturers use laser etching to expose a translucent layer beneath the colored top layer, allowing RGB lighting to shine through.
• Dye Sublimation: In this process, heat is used to infuse the ink directly into the plastic, making the legends extremely durable and resistant to wear. The limitation is that the dye must be darker than the keycap plastic, so white legends on black keycaps are not possible.
• Double Shot Molding: This involves using two sets of molds during the injection process. One color is injected into the mold for the legends, and another color forms the rest of the keycap. This is the most expensive method, but it yields the highest quality keycaps because the legends are part of the keycap itself. Double shot molding also allows for a wider range of colors, enhancing contrast between legends and keycaps.

Upgrading to PBT keycaps is straightforward and a cost-effective way to enhance your keyboard without replacing it entirely. All you need is a keycap puller. Hook the puller’s wires around the keycap from both sides and gently but firmly pull it off. Now you’re ready to build your custom PBT keyboard.

Before purchasing new keycaps, ensure compatibility with your keyboard’s switches. Cherry MX switches have been cloned by many companies, including Gateron, Kailh, and Outemu, making them generally interchangeable.

Equipped with this knowledge, you should be well-prepared to choose PBT keycaps that will not only improve your typing experience but also stand the test of time.