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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: klanh on Wed, 18 September 2013, 18:16:16

Title: Painted translucent caps with custom laser etched legends
Post by: klanh on Wed, 18 September 2013, 18:16:16

So the topic says it all. Where to buy such keys for reasonable amount of money? I really liked the WASDkb system, but I read somewhere they use colored plastic not painted translucent.

Signature Plastics seems capable, but seem for more industrial sized orders. Whenever I don't see any kind of quote for price I know it's probably going to be ridiculous for one consumer.

Also I'd prefer EU based company because of all the import taxes and other **** ordering from US.

Title: Re: Painted translucent caps with custom laser etched legends
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 18 September 2013, 19:57:10

What?  Do you mean laser etched infill keycaps?

Title: Re: Painted translucent caps with custom laser etched legends
Post by: klanh on Wed, 18 September 2013, 20:04:19

I mean caps that let backlight trough. Maybe I mean transparent not translucent.

Title: Re: Painted translucent caps with custom laser etched legends
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 18 September 2013, 20:12:56

Still not following.  Pictures?

Title: Re: Painted translucent caps with custom laser etched legends
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 18 September 2013, 20:16:15

Quote from: MKULTRA on Wed, 18 September 2013, 20:12:56

Still not following.  Pictures?

He's talking about keycaps like the ones you'd find on a KBT Pure. They are transparent plastic, and they are covered with paint everywhere except for the letters so that the LED shines through the letters, but not elsewhere.

Title: Re: Painted translucent caps with custom laser etched legends
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 18 September 2013, 20:23:14

Ducky does that, don't they?

Title: Re: Painted translucent caps with custom laser etched legends
Post by: klanh on Thu, 19 September 2013, 07:56:18

Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 18 September 2013, 20:23:14

Ducky does that, don't they?

I might be wrong, but doesn't all the backlight keyboards that emit light trough keycap legends ( characters ) have caps made this way?

1. Make caps with translucent/transparent plastic
2. Paint them with desired color
3. laser etch paint off to make desired legends that let light trough

Title: Re: Painted translucent caps with custom laser etched legends
Post by: terran5992 on Fri, 20 September 2013, 21:44:46

I think you are referring to laser etched

Title: Re: Painted translucent caps with custom laser etched legends
Post by: kaotikb on Fri, 20 September 2013, 22:37:34

I Believe they are painted all around except where the legend is. Most are made this way except for the ones on the Deck keyboards.

these are from the gigabyte osmium backlit keyboard.
(http://i.imgur.com/QvEyMpX.jpg)

Underside. Notice the over spray in the corners.
(http://i.imgur.com/oUiVkaE.jpg)

Top side
(http://i.imgur.com/uD0Ar2s.jpg)