Keycaps

[BlindLemonLipschitz]

I am willing to beta test. A blank set would do swimmingly on my Quiet ClickŪ Planck.

[zombimuncha]

Keycap tooling is officially DONE!   

So when shall we have the group buy up and running?

Can't answer that until we have the legend printing worked out.  Best guess is around March/April.  We're gearing up for CES now and Chinese New Year wipes out most of February.

Is dye-sub working?

Dye-sub is a solved problem.

Since the tooling is done, I assume you would want to get started on a production run as soon as possible, to get those expensive toys to pay for themselves sooner rather than later.

Since you have your dye-sub setup working already, I don't see why you couldn't do a quick dye-sub (black-on-dark-grey / black-on-white / blank-black / blank-white, you pick one) run / GB right now. Other than the obvious limit of there being only 24 hours per day :-)
Couldn't you put up a GB / order form, with expected delivery before (or just after?) Chinese New Year?
No Pressure ;-)

[Hypersphere]

@Matias: It will be great to see PBT keycaps from your company!

My own preferences:

+ Dye-sub PBT sets, including options for non-Matias keyboards such as the KBP V60MTS.

+ Blank PBT caps, including sizes and profiles for non-Matias keyboards such as the KBP V60MTS.

+ Sculpted profiles -- that is, not flat.

+ Blank PBT caps in various colors, including sizes and profiles for non-Matias keyboards such as the KBP V60MTS.

Thanks.

[ctm]

Okay, I've got the lasered PBT samples.  Legends are still a little dark and not white enough, so we're going to keep working on it.

Will keep you posted...

Not sure how white the samples are, but IMO a little darker colors (like poker or type heaven keycaps) are more resistant to stain. Pure white legends are nice, but do not last long. (anyway I still don't prefer laser etch. I will go with dye-sub or blank PBT).

[Fuzzybear]

Does this mean the blanks are about to go on sale? 

[ctm]

Regarding the black on black dye-sub caps mentioned previously, will they be made from regular black PBT caps? The Topre "black on black" is actually "black on dark grey". If the cap itself is also pure black, I wonder if it will be too dark so the legend becomes not visible even under good lighting conditions.

[Reloaded]

any updates?

Im way to hyped

[FLFisherman]

any updates?

Im way to hyped

Choo choo, all aboard the hype train! Next stop: disappointment _{hopefully not}.

[kuwan]

I'm itching to have blanks in white and gray though my KBP v60 with Matias clicks is still on transit.

The stock front-printed ABS caps on the KBP v60 will be good enough in the meantime but I do hope it will be replaced soon.

[RyanArr]

How about just some PBT replacements for the nonstandard keys on your existing boards? The ABS spacebars on my Ergo Pro shine so bad I can almost use them as a mirror.

[Reloaded]

How about just some PBT replacements for the nonstandard keys on your existing boards? The ABS spacebars on my Ergo Pro shine so bad I can almost use them as a mirror.

if I understood it correctly they will offer full replacement sets for the ergo pro.

Would love to get that officially confirmed tho!

[Matias]

How about just some PBT replacements for the nonstandard keys on your existing boards? The ABS spacebars on my Ergo Pro shine so bad I can almost use them as a mirror.

if I understood it correctly they will offer full replacement sets for the ergo pro.

Would love to get that officially confirmed tho!

Officially, confirmed.

The tooling for PBT caps is done, but getting a White-on-Black legend printing method is proving a difficult nut to crack.  I'm in China now.  We're waiting on the next round of samples.

Some problems just need to be ploughed through...

[furosuto81]

Officially, confirmed.

The tooling for PBT caps is done, but getting a White-on-Black legend printing method is proving a difficult nut to crack.  I'm in China now.  We're waiting on the next round of samples.

Some problems just need to be ploughed through...

I guess you will have to settle for doing double shots instead ;-) ;-) ;-)

[kuwan]

Officially, confirmed.

The tooling for PBT caps is done, but getting a White-on-Black legend printing method is proving a difficult nut to crack.  I'm in China now.  We're waiting on the next round of samples.

Some problems just need to be ploughed through...

I and some of others are more than happy with a blank pbt ones.. 

Will you be also making standard-sized PBT caps say for example the bottow row for us who have 60% boards other than the Matias 60%.

Thanks!

[Fuzzybear]

If the caps themselves are ready, why not release a few batches of the Blank PBT keycap sets to your adoring fans whilst working on the labelled ones? 

Personally I don't even care about packaging, you can ship them to me jumbled in a sandwich bag (which is, btw the way Vortex ships their caps on Massdrop.)

[BlindLemonLipschitz]

If the caps themselves are ready, why not release a few batches of the Blank PBT keycap sets

That is an excellent idea. I prefer blanks.

[phoible]

I would love a set of PBT blanks for my v80-MTS

[grav3serker]

If the caps themselves are ready, why not release a few batches of the Blank PBT keycap sets

That is an excellent idea. I prefer blanks.

I second this!

[bcredbottle]

+1 for blanks.

[ctm]

A side topic. Matias, you may want to add a switch tester to your product line. It's always good to try before buying a whole board.

[Matias]

Thanks for all the comments.  I will address them in a separate post.

For this post, I want to pass along some good news...

We think we have a workable solution for Light-on-Dark PBT printing -- see below.  This is our latest laser etching attempt.  It's well within the acceptable zone IMO.  There's still a little work to be done in terms of scratch resistance but colour-wise, it's very good.

We've also done backlit ABS caps which I've signed off on.

[ctm]

Thanks for all the comments.  I will address them in a separate post.

For this post, I want to pass along some good news...

We think we have a workable solution for Light-on-Dark PBT printing -- see below.  This is our latest laser etching attempt.  It's well within the acceptable zone IMO.  There's still a little work to be done in terms of scratch resistance but colour-wise, it's very good.

We've also done backlit ABS caps which I've signed off on.

Great!

[zombimuncha]

Thanks for all the comments.  I will address them in a separate post.

For this post, I want to pass along some good news...

We think we have a workable solution for Light-on-Dark PBT printing -- see below.  This is our latest laser etching attempt.  It's well within the acceptable zone IMO.  There's still a little work to be done in terms of scratch resistance but colour-wise, it's very good.

We've also done backlit ABS caps which I've signed off on.


(Attachment Link)

Looks nice. Off-white, but readable and classy.
Will you be doing other colours of infill, or just white on dark?

[Fuzzybear]

The color looks fine IMO, but I'm not a fan of the font.

Also, I've been eagerly refreshing daily to look for the separate post announcing blank keycap sales/orders, but I think it's not posted yet? 

Thanks for all the comments.  I will address them in a separate post.

For this post, I want to pass along some good news...

We think we have a workable solution for Light-on-Dark PBT printing -- see below.  This is our latest laser etching attempt.  It's well within the acceptable zone IMO.  There's still a little work to be done in terms of scratch resistance but colour-wise, it's very good.

[jacobolus]

The color looks fine IMO, but I'm not a fan of the font.

If it’s laser, then any design should be possible. That was clearly just a test.

[ctm]

The color looks fine IMO, but I'm not a fan of the font.

Also, I've been eagerly refreshing daily to look for the separate post announcing blank keycap sales/orders, but I think it's not posted yet? 

Show Image

Haha, same here. Refreshing every this page day. But I haven't decided whether to go with black on white or black on black. I think black caps match better with my black case, but black on white legend is more visible.

Btw, for the black on white set, is the entire set going to be white, or are the modifiers grey?

[Matias]

The color looks fine IMO, but I'm not a fan of the font.

Also, I've been eagerly refreshing daily to look for the separate post announcing blank keycap sales/orders, but I think it's not posted yet? 

Show Image

Haha, same here. Refreshing every this page day.

That's funny.  I've been refreshing everyday to see if there were more questions.   :)

Okay, here we go...

Btw, for the black on white set, is the entire set going to be white, or are the modifiers grey?

We're going to have the modifiers separate from the 1u keysets.  That way, you'll be able to mix and match colours.

Looks nice. Off-white, but readable and classy.
Will you be doing other colours of infill, or just white on dark?

Yes, there will be different colours.  We just focused on white-on-black because it's the most difficult to do (and the most popular).  The other colours will be easy.

Also, as mentioned, the photo is just a test sample.  We will NOT be using that hideous font.  I don't know where they got it.

Let me know if there are any other questions...

[grav3serker]

The color looks fine IMO, but I'm not a fan of the font.

Also, I've been eagerly refreshing daily to look for the separate post announcing blank keycap sales/orders, but I think it's not posted yet? 

Show Image

Haha, same here. Refreshing every this page day.

That's funny.  I've been refreshing everyday to see if there were more questions.   :)

Okay, here we go...

Btw, for the black on white set, is the entire set going to be white, or are the modifiers grey?

We're going to have the modifiers separate from the 1u keysets.  That way, you'll be able to mix and match colours.

Looks nice. Off-white, but readable and classy.
Will you be doing other colours of infill, or just white on dark?

Yes, there will be different colours.  We just focused on white-on-black because it's the most difficult to do (and the most popular).  The other colours will be easy.

Also, as mentioned, the photo is just a test sample.  We will NOT be using that hideous font.  I don't know where they got it.

Let me know if there are any other questions...

Awesome!! Stoked to see what's to come!!

I really dig the fact you're selling alphas and modifiers separately. Good call!

[rs232]

The color looks fine IMO, but I'm not a fan of the font.

Also, I've been eagerly refreshing daily to look for the separate post announcing blank keycap sales/orders, but I think it's not posted yet? 

Show Image

Haha, same here. Refreshing every this page day.

That's funny.  I've been refreshing everyday to see if there were more questions.   :)

Okay, here we go...

Btw, for the black on white set, is the entire set going to be white, or are the modifiers grey?

We're going to have the modifiers separate from the 1u keysets.  That way, you'll be able to mix and match colours.

Looks nice. Off-white, but readable and classy.
Will you be doing other colours of infill, or just white on dark?

Yes, there will be different colours.  We just focused on white-on-black because it's the most difficult to do (and the most popular).  The other colours will be easy.

Also, as mentioned, the photo is just a test sample.  We will NOT be using that hideous font.  I don't know where they got it.

Let me know if there are any other questions...

I'm new to the mechanical keyboard game, and bought a Mini Tactile Pro as my first new keyboard.  I'm typing on an AEK right now, but will be switching to my Mini Tactile Pro for the first time in a couple of days.

Since coming across this thread, I have been refreshing it every few days to look for news also.

Will you be selling a replacement keycap set for the Mini Tactile Pro that includes the secondary and tertiary legends, and with a caps lock key that has a notch for the LED?

[zombimuncha]

Let me know if there are any other questions...

Any update on when these'll start shipping?

[ctm]

We're going to have the modifiers separate from the 1u keysets.  That way, you'll be able to mix and match colours.

What colors are going to be available? Is there going to be more than black and white?

Also, regarding the black on black dye-sub caps mentioned previously, will they be made from regular black PBT caps? The Topre "black on black" is actually "black on dark grey". If the cap itself is also pure black, I wonder if it will be too dark so the legend becomes not visible even under good lighting conditions.

[ctm]

Another question, how white are the white caps?

[obfuscated]

Do you have plans to make molds for every size (at least 1.25x, 1.5x and 2.0x) for every row?
This way you can provide (blank) caps for custom boards similar to the ergodox.

[S1llyC0ne]

I really like what I read here ! Please, pretty please, Matias, also plan to offer blank sets as well 😍

[Hypersphere]

+1 for Blanks!

Would also like to see some color options for blanks. I am looking for red or blue 1.00x number row and red or blue 1.25x bottom row.

[SenorCit]

If you make Nordic - or even better yet, Swedish/Finnish - PBT dye-sub sets, I promise I will get a new Tactile Pro PC and a key set immediately. This is the main thing keeping me away from Matias boards, as the stock ABS caps rubbed off very quickly. Pretty please?

Oh and while you're at it - get more Nordic distributors. KeyboardCo are a total rip-off: 200+ EUR for a Matias keyboard shipped? Come on.

.sc

[KHAANNN]

Thanks for all the comments.  I will address them in a separate post.

For this post, I want to pass along some good news...

We think we have a workable solution for Light-on-Dark PBT printing -- see below.  This is our latest laser etching attempt.  It's well within the acceptable zone IMO.  There's still a little work to be done in terms of scratch resistance but colour-wise, it's very good.

We've also done backlit ABS caps which I've signed off on.


(Attachment Link)

Wow, any chance of being able to order custom laser-printed PBT's?

Something like WASD's custom UV-printed ABS's

[Matias]

Thanks for all the comments.  I will address them in a separate post.

For this post, I want to pass along some good news...

We think we have a workable solution for Light-on-Dark PBT printing -- see below.  This is our latest laser etching attempt.  It's well within the acceptable zone IMO.  There's still a little work to be done in terms of scratch resistance but colour-wise, it's very good.

We've also done backlit ABS caps which I've signed off on.


(Attachment Link)

Wow, any chance of being able to order custom laser-printed PBT's?

Something like WASD's custom UV-printed ABS's

Yes, that's one of major goals in getting laser done properly on PBT.

[ctm]

Any estimated shipping date?

[Matias]

Any estimated shipping date?

No estimates yet.  We should receive the new laser material next week.  If it passes durability tests, we're good to go!

[Matias]

Also FYI, we're designing a new stabilizer clip to make it easier to use ALPS caps with Cherry stabs, especially for use with Spacebars.

It's a Cherry stab clip that plugs into the square ALPS stab clip socket...

[CommonCurt]

Also FYI, we're designing a new stabilizer clip to make it easier to use ALPS caps with Cherry stabs, especially for use with Spacebars.

It's a Cherry stab clip that plugs into the square ALPS stab clip socket...

(Attachment Link)

Very cool.  I can't wait to hear when these are available 

[zombimuncha]

Also FYI, we're designing a new stabilizer clip to make it easier to use ALPS caps with Cherry stabs, especially for use with Spacebars.

It's a Cherry stab clip that plugs into the square ALPS stab clip socket...

(Attachment Link)

So this will allow the use of old "classic" Alps spacebars on newer Matias and KBP keyboards that use Cherry-style stabs for their spacebars, is that right?
Is this also a hint that your new PBT spacebars will have rectangular Alps-style stabilizer mounts?

Will black-on-dark-grey thick ABS (or PBT) be available from day one, once they're ready?

[Matias]

Also FYI, we're designing a new stabilizer clip to make it easier to use ALPS caps with Cherry stabs, especially for use with Spacebars.

It's a Cherry stab clip that plugs into the square ALPS stab clip socket...

(Attachment Link)

So this will allow the use of old "classic" Alps spacebars on newer Matias and KBP keyboards that use Cherry-style stabs for their spacebars, is that right?
Is this also a hint that your new PBT spacebars will have rectangular Alps-style stabilizer mounts?

Yes on both counts.

In retrospect, it would probably have been easier to put the Cherry sockets on the new spacebars, but the above approach is more flexible.

Will black-on-dark-grey thick ABS (or PBT) be available from day one, once they're ready?

Once everything's done, we'll be able to support virtually any colour combo.  Probably we'd do keycap GBs in collaboration with Massdrop.

[S1llyC0ne]

Once everything's done, we'll be able to support virtually any colour combo.  Probably we'd do keycap GBs in collaboration with Massdrop.

Don't forget to add blanks to the possibilities and I will be one of the happiest men on Earth (and probably one of the poorest too by the way 😛)

[Matias]

Once everything's done, we'll be able to support virtually any colour combo.  Probably we'd do keycap GBs in collaboration with Massdrop.

Don't forget to add blanks to the possibilities and I will be one of the happiest men on Earth (and probably one of the poorest too by the way 😛)

Yes, blanks will be included of course.  Blanks are easy.

[S1llyC0ne]

Once everything's done, we'll be able to support virtually any colour combo.  Probably we'd do keycap GBs in collaboration with Massdrop.

Don't forget to add blanks to the possibilities and I will be one of the happiest men on Earth (and probably one of the poorest too by the way 😛)

Yes, blanks will be included of course.  Blanks are easy.

I can't wait !

[bcredbottle]

Once everything's done, we'll be able to support virtually any colour combo.  Probably we'd do keycap GBs in collaboration with Massdrop.

Don't forget to add blanks to the possibilities and I will be one of the happiest men on Earth (and probably one of the poorest too by the way 😛)

Yes, blanks will be included of course.  Blanks are easy.

YAAAASSSSSSSS

[KRKS]

in collaboration with Massdrop.

I guess it's time to rethink using Alps in my custom since both Tai-Hao and vintage sets are extremely rare here.

Also thank you for telling this now and not when you started, just so I could waste a lot of hype.

[KHAANNN]

in collaboration with Massdrop.

I guess it's time to rethink using Alps in my custom since both Tai-Hao and vintage sets are extremely rare here.

Also thank you for telling this now and not when you started, just so I could waste a lot of hype.

Nice to see another MD-hater, not that we are rare, after getting burned one way or another by every GB I joined, I also skip them entirely

My suggestion to Matias is to manufacture keycaps and build a keycap shop of their own, a keycap shop where non-standard keycaps and blanks can be bought individually, with the option to order custom keycaps too, for the hype part, just post keycap photos to GH/Reddit regularly, especially r/mk

For example, come up with a unique color combo + layout every week, post it to every social channel you can find

Massdrop's only trick is generating R/MK hype, just do it on your own, don't struck a deal with the devil please :)