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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: aptivaboy on Fri, 11 March 2016, 13:23:40

Title: How do you print on blank keys?
Post by: aptivaboy on Fri, 11 March 2016, 13:23:40

Probably a really dumb noobie question, but...

I keep seeing replacement blank keys and keycaps for many different types of keys. How does the final end user (you and me) get them printed with characters and the font of their choice? Can you print them at home in some way? I'm admittedly confused.

Thank you for any pointers.

Robert

Title: Re: How do you print on blank keys?
Post by: romevi on Fri, 11 March 2016, 13:25:33

Unless you own a machine that can, you can't. At least, not to the same standards as those from companies.
People buy blanks for aesthetic purposes or to place on a weird layout

Title: Re: How do you print on blank keys?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 11 March 2016, 13:27:18

Some people have used label printers to get custom legends onto blank keys but as romevi alluded to most people buying blanks memorize there layouts.

Title: Re: How do you print on blank keys?
Post by: aptivaboy on Fri, 11 March 2016, 13:31:21

Interesting. I hadn't thought of that, thank you. Of course, then how do yo remember what the blank key was for? Sorry, that's my aging brain talking.  ;D

I was thinking of applying waterslide character decals perhaps (I come from a modeling background) that would then be heavily clearcoated over to shield the keys from use and abuse as a possible solution. Some of the Cherry rainbow key patterns and such are of interest, as well as making some custom Model Ms for a possible upcoming Unicomp PC-122 buy. 

Robert

Title: Re: How do you print on blank keys?
Post by: Malenky on Fri, 11 March 2016, 15:44:33

if you want to use blank keycaps for aesthetic purposes, the assumption is that you are a touch typist and know what all the keys are without looking at the legend. For people that use unusual layouts, such as ergodox or  ortholinear layouts, a large part of transitioning to that is learning the keyboard properly, which blanks kind of force you to do. That, and for certain layouts the key profiles will not match up properly (trying swapping your number 1 and Z keys and see how awful it is).

Title: Re: How do you print on blank keys?
Post by: xtrafrood on Fri, 11 March 2016, 23:57:32

I suppose one could set up a rig to keep the keys in place for some CNC action  ;D

Title: Re: How do you print on blank keys?
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 12 March 2016, 00:37:38

You can also get relegendable keycaps, although they are mainly used if you want to change the legends, although they would suit this purpose too.

http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dcs-relegendables-pack-of-10/
http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-relegendables-pack-of-10/
http://pimpmykeyboard.com/sa-relegendables-pack-of-10/