The album:
https://imgur.com/gallery/9fegK1PThe TKM got endorsed by QMK:
https://config.qmk.fm/#/cest73/tkm/LAYOUT_allAnd i started the dye-sub process on the cheap: few clamps, a repurposed really cheap hair straightening press (does 160 C in the air) and a phone in timer mode:
5 minutes pressed @ 160 C gives pretty decent prints
The Sublimation print was done in a local shop - he said we use the same stuff that goes for the coffee cups (ya know those kiddo photos on coffe cups stores...)
One A4 sheet is around $1 and i'm thru 4 and not done yet
So far i figured
dye subbing the following way:
1. Due to alignment being paramount for dye sub to look the least decent, I made the print with cut marks (0.25 mm thick + signs about 2 mm wide and tall)
2. Once meticulously cut to exact size (give or take 0.05 mm back and forth "eyeball wise")
3. The lables are, even more meticulously, affixed to the free keys with kapstan tape - it is of little use being anal about cutting if you just slap them loose on there right?
4. Once the labels are placed to the key, the keys are in pairs brought to the preheated running heat press rig, padded with silicone matts, and laid out on it
5. The timer is let to run and the clamps are carefully placed over each packet (i can do up to 4 packs at one timer pass YMMV)
6. Once the timer runs out i carefully remove the clamps in an orderly fashion
7. Only once all the clamps are off i remove the keys in an orderly fashion too - as they are hot now (fresh popcorn hot for instance)
8. As they cool i remove the capstan tape and discard the printed lables aside
Voila dye subbed keycaps
From 2 to 5 minutes looks good, i lean towards 5 so the sublimation is deep and i am clear in the forseable future of any blemishes or imperfections, but the less time the sharper the edges will be.
I will measure the clamping force and post as i come arount to it
This process is taylored to single off jobs: the less keys the marrier - i will be on it for several days it seems.
I know the images are lacking expect more to come (feel free to post feedback tho, i won't bite (at least i hope i won't
))
Also, bent two stems on the XDAs due to hurry
, thats due to not taking care of the temparatures of the clam touching the keycap end - always reverse them to the cold clamp touches the switch stem!
As i ran the inital tests, i found out the press alone, once up to temerature will deform the cap no problem if pressed directly to the hard surface - this is to be avoided!
Again, keep the back of the caps as cold as pssible - we are dealing with temperatures that make the PBT unstable and likely to deform!Other than that its going great, kudos to
logo4poop from ai03 discord for the font help
As always, stay tuned for more ...