The Ultimate Guide to Keycaps
Keycaps are the interface between your fingers and the switch of the keyboard. They affect the sound, feel, and aesthetics of your keyboard more than any other component. Changing your keycaps is the easiest way to completely transform your keyboard's personality.
01. Comparison: ABS vs PBT
The two most common plastics used. Neither is strictly "better," but they serve different preferences.
ABS Plastic
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. The industry standard for high-end vibrant sets (like GMK).
- Feel: Smooth, sometimes slick.
- Sound: Higher pitched, "clackier".
- Look: Extremely vibrant colors.
- Cons: Develops a "shine" (oily look) after heavy use.
PBT Plastic
Polybutylene Terephthalate. Known for durability and resistance to wear.
- Feel: Textured, sandy, dry.
- Sound: Deeper, "thockier".
- Look: Colors are usually more muted (though improving).
- Pros: Will never shine. Legends stay matte forever.
02. Keycap Profiles (Shape)
Not all keycaps are shaped the same. The "Profile" determines the height and sculpting of the keys.
Cherry Profile
The gold standard. Cylindrical top, lower height. Comfortable for typing and gaming. Most custom customs use this.
OEM Profile
Similar shape to Cherry but slightly taller. Standard on most pre-built keyboards (Razer, Corsair, Keychron).
SA Profile
Tall, spherical (rounded) tops, and retro-looking. Produces a very deep "thock" sound but can be tiring to type on without a wrist rest.
XDA / DSA
Flat and uniform height. Every key is the same shape. Looks clean and modern, but lacks ergonomic sculpting.
03. Manufacturing Methods
How the letters (legends) are put on the caps matters for longevity.
- Doubleshot: Two separate pieces of plastic molded together. The legend extends through the entire cap. It will never fade. Highest contrast.
- Dye-Sublimation (Dye-Sub): Ink is heat-fused into the plastic. Very durable and allows for complex designs (like Japanese sublegends) on PBT caps.
04. Where to Buy in Malaysia
Sourcing keycaps locally saves you massive shipping fees and import taxes.
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Budget: "Clone" Sets (Shopee/Lazada)
Range: RM 50 - RM 120Brands like Aifei and CMK offer decent quality ABS/PBT doubleshot keycaps that mimic expensive GMK colorways. Great for beginners on a budget.
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Mid-Range: Akko & Keychron
Range: RM 150 - RM 250Akko makes fantastic ASA profile PBT keycaps with crisp legends. Readily available on Shopee Mall. Keychron Malaysia also stocks standard sets.
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High-End: Group Buys (GMK / ePBT)
Range: RM 500 - RM 900+For the real deal, you need to join "Group Buys". In Malaysia, Mecha Store and Rebult Keyboards are the go-to proxies for official GMK sets. Be warned: wait times can be months (or years)!