So you've got your first mechanical keyboard — or you're looking to upgrade the factory caps on your current one. And now you're staring at a wall of options: PBT, ABS, Cherry profile, OEM, double shot, dye-sub, shine-through, artisan. The jargon multiplies, and suddenly a "simple" keycap purchase feels like landing a spacecraft.
Welcome to custom keycaps. It's a deep rabbit hole — but one of the most rewarding upgrades you can make to your daily setup. A quality keycap set transforms the feel, sound, and look of your keyboard more dramatically than almost any other modification.
This guide strips away the complexity. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look for, how to spot quality, and where to start your custom keycaps journey.
Why Bother with Custom Keycaps?
Factory keycaps — the ones that ship with most pre-built keyboards — are almost always budget-grade ABS plastic with thin walls and pad-printed legends that fade within months. Upgrading to a quality custom keycap set gives you:
- Better typing feel — Thicker walls, better materials, and ergonomic profiles make every keystroke more satisfying
- Longer durability — Quality keycaps last for years without developing shine, faded legends, or broken stems
- Dramatically better sound — A thick PBT keycap set can turn a clacky budget board into a thocky dream machine
- Personal style — Your keyboard is the centerpiece of your desk. Custom keycaps let you express your taste
The upgrade cost? Usually $30–$100 for a full set. That's less than a new set of switches — and the impact on your daily typing experience is just as significant.
Step 1: Choose Your Material (PBT vs ABS)
Your first fork in the road is deciding between the two main keycap plastics: PBT and ABS. We've covered this in depth in our PBT vs ABS Keycaps Guide, but here's the quick version:
PBT Keycaps — The Community Favorite
PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) is a harder, denser plastic that resists wear and shine far better than ABS. It's the go-to choice for daily drivers and long-term builds.
- Pros: Shine-resistant for years, deeper "thock" sound, textured matte grip
- Cons: Slightly more expensive, fewer vibrant/translucent color options
- Best for: Daily drivers, long-term builds, anyone who types 6+ hours a day
ABS Keycaps — The RGB Champion
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is the traditional standard — smoother, lighter, and more vibrant. It's the best choice for RGB shine-through keycaps.
- Pros: Crystal-clear RGB legends, vibrant colors, lower cost, smooth feel
- Cons: Develops glossy shine over time, can yellow with UV exposure
- Best for: RGB-focused builds, budget setups, collectors who swap frequently
Our recommendation: For your first custom keycap set, go with PBT. The durability advantage is dramatic, and the texture and sound are almost universally preferred by enthusiasts. If RGB is non-negotiable, look for double shot PBT shine-through keycaps — they're becoming more common.
Step 2: Understand Keycap Profiles
Once you've chosen your material, the next big decision is keycap profile — the shape and height of each cap. This is often overlooked by beginners, but it's arguably the most important factor in typing comfort.
Quick primer: A keycap profile determines how the keys are shaped and how they sit relative to each other. The wrong profile can cause finger strain over long sessions. The right one feels like your keyboard was custom-molded for your hands.
The six most common profiles are:
| Profile | Type | Height | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry | Sculpted | Low | All-day typists, ergonomics-first |
| OEM | Sculpted | Medium | Beginners, gaming, safe choice |
| SA | Sculpted | Tall | Sound enthusiasts, retro aesthetic |
| XDA | Uniform | Low | Ortholinear/split boards, minimalists |
| DSA | Uniform | Ultra-low | Low-profile builds, portability |
| MDA | Sculpted | Medium | The "in-between" profile |
We have a full breakdown in our Keycap Profiles Guide, but here's the short version:
Start with Cherry profile if you prioritize typing comfort and ergonomics. It's low, sculpted, and deeply concave — designed to cradle your fingertips through long typing sessions. Start with OEM if you want the familiar feel of standard pre-built keyboards. You can explore SA for sound quality or XDA for aesthetics later.
Step 3: Know Your Compatibility
Before you buy any keycap set, answer this one question: What type of switch stems does your keyboard use?
Cherry MX and Clones (95% of Mechanical Keyboards)
The vast majority of mechanical keyboards — whether they use Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh, Outemu, or similar switches — use the standard Cherry MX cross-shaped stem. Almost all custom keycaps are made to fit this stem type. You're safe.
Low-Profile Switches (Kailh Choc, etc.)
Low-profile switches use a different stem design. You'll need keycaps specifically designed for low-profile switches. Standard keycaps will not fit.
Alps, Topre, Optical Switches
These are niche compatibility cases. Alps switches use a rectangular stem. Topre uses a round rubber dome. Optical switches (like those in some Razer and Bloody keyboards) may or may not support standard keycaps. Always check your keyboard's spec sheet before buying.
Keycap Size Compatibility
Not all keys are the same size. Different keyboards have different layouts, which affects which keycaps fit:
- Standard ANSI 104-key — Most keycap sets support this layout natively
- 75%, 65%, 60% — Usually well-supported, but may require a kit for non-standard bottom row keys
- Split and ergonomic boards — Check that the set includes special-sized keycaps for thumb clusters and odd rows
- ISO (European) layout — Requires a dedicated ISO enter keycap and a shorter left shift
Most quality keycap sets are sold with multiple layout kits — base set covers ANSI, and add-on kits cover ISO, Tsangan (HHKB-style bottom row), and 40% boards. When in doubt, look for a set that explicitly lists your layout in the compatibility notes.
Step 4: Learn the Legend Printing Methods
How the letters and symbols (the "legends") are applied to your keycaps determines how long they'll last.
Double Shot Molding (Best)
The legend is molded from a second plastic color and physically fused with the keycap body. The legend can never wear off — it runs all the way through the plastic. Double shot PBT keycaps are the gold standard for legend durability.
Dye-Sublimation (Excellent)
Heat transfers the legend into the plastic at the molecular level. The legend is part of the keycap surface and wears very slowly. Dye-sub works beautifully on PBT and gives a slightly raised, soft texture to the legends.
Pad Printing (Budget — Avoid)
The legend is printed on the surface with ink. It will fade, wear, and become unreadable with regular use. Most factory keyboards use pad printing. This is fine for a $30 keyboard. Not acceptable for a quality custom set.
Laser Etching (Niche)
The legend is burned into the keycap with a laser. Common on backlit ABS sets. Works well but can wear smooth over years of heavy use.
Verdict: Look for double shot or dye-sub legends. Both are long-lasting and high quality. Double shot is technically indestructible; dye-sub offers a slightly softer, more premium feel.
Step 5: Thickness and Construction Quality
This is the difference between a keycap set that sounds great and one that sounds hollow and cheap.
- Thin walls (~1.0–1.2mm) — Common on budget ABS sets. They flex, resonate at higher pitches, and feel insubstantial
- Standard walls (~1.3–1.5mm) — Most quality PBT sets fall here. Good balance of weight and sound
- Thick walls (~1.5mm+) — Premium territory. Produces the deepest "thock" and feels substantial under your fingers
Check for warping on long keys too — a warped spacebar wobbles and clicks. Quality manufacturers like Signature Plastics, GMK, and ePBT have tight quality control here.
Step 6: Where to Buy Custom Keycaps
Entry Level ($25–$50)
Online marketplaces, Amazon, AliExpress — brands like YMDK, NPKC, and Tai-Hao offer decent PBT keycap sets in this range. Good for experimenting with profiles and colors before committing to a premium set.
Mid Range ($50–$90)
Independent shops like KeycapsHub carry curated collections of thick PBT keycaps, double shot sets, and Cherry profile options. This is the sweet spot for a first serious purchase — you get quality materials and reliable QC without the enthusiast markup.
Premium ($90–$200+)
Group buys and high-end manufacturers (GMK, CRP, JTK, Signature Plastics, ePBT) produce the finest keycaps available. Expect thick PBT or double shot ABS, impeccable legends, and flawless QC. The trade-off: long lead times (6–18 months for group buys).
New to custom keycaps? Start with KeycapsHub. We curate our collections for quality and value, so you don't need to wade through group buy drama or QC horror stories on your first purchase.
Quick Decision Flowchart
You want custom keycaps
│
▼
Need RGB legends? ──YES──► ABS, double shot, shine-through
│ │
NO Choose OEM or Cherry profile
│ │
▼ ▼
Want max durability? ──YES──► PBT, double shot or dye-sub
│
NO (want to try different/cheaper options)
│
▼
Consider ABS for color variety and lower cost
Final Recommendations
If You're a Total Beginner
- Buy a Cherry profile PBT keycap set — It's the ergonomic sweet spot that works for almost everyone
- Look for double shot or dye-sub legends — Your legends will look the same years from now
- Check your keyboard layout — Most standard ANSI 60%/65%/75%/TKL/full-size boards are compatible
- Set your budget at $40–$70 — At this price point, you get genuine quality without overspending
- Add one artisan ESC key — An artisan keycap on your ESC key turns your keyboard from functional to personal
The 3 Quick Reference Rules
- Cherry profile + thick PBT + double shot = the undisputed formula for a premium daily driver
- OEM profile + ABS + double shot = the best choice for RGB builds
- OEM profile + PBT + dye-sub = the best value-for-money combination for beginners
Our Recommended Reading Order
If you're just getting started, read these three guides in sequence:
- 📖 This guide ← you're here
- 📖 PBT vs ABS Keycaps Guide — material deep dive
- 📖 Keycap Profiles Guide — profile comparison
Then start browsing collections. The right set will feel right under your fingers at first touch.
FAQ
Are all keycaps compatible with all keyboards?
No. Almost all custom keycaps use the Cherry MX cross-shaped stem, which works with Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Outemu, and most other mechanical switches. They do not work with Alps, Topre, or low-profile switch types.
What keycap material is best for beginners?
PBT is the best starting material. It's more durable than ABS, resistant to developing shine, and produces a deeper sound. The only reason to choose ABS as a beginner is if you absolutely need crystal-clear RGB shine-through legends.
What is the most comfortable keycap profile?
Cherry profile is widely regarded as the most ergonomic profile for all-day typing. Its shorter height and deep concave sculpt reduces finger travel and cradles your fingertips. For flat-profile fans, XDA's large surface area is also excellent.
How do I know if a keycap set will fit my keyboard?
Check three things: (1) switch stem type — must be Cherry MX compatible, (2) layout — most sets support standard ANSI, (3) bottom row size — some sets only fit standard 6.25u spacebar layouts.
How much should I spend on my first custom keycap set?
$40–$70 is the ideal first-set budget. This gets you genuine PBT with thick walls and good legends (double shot or dye-sub) without overspending on premium sets you may not love.
Can I mix keycap sets from different brands?
Yes, as long as they share the same profile and row height. Mixing different profiles (e.g., an SA ESC on an OEM board) works visually but creates an uneven typing surface.
Ready to start building your perfect keyboard? Browse our keycap sets at KeycapsHub, or check out our Cherry profile PBT collection for the most beginner-friendly starting point. And once you've found your set, consider adding a handcrafted artisan keycap to make it truly yours.
— The KeycapsHub Team