Best 3D Printer For Keycaps

You can 3D print keycaps for a mechanical keyboard on your 3D printer.

• DLP (Digital Light Processing) resin printers are more suitable than FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)filament printers because of their higher resolution and better surface texture.
• You can always grind and buff for smoother results. DLP and SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printers are the best options for simple home use, such as keycap printing.
• Our buying guide below mainly focuses on the best SLA printers, as these are the most popular resin printers available for home use.

Typically, keycaps are made from one of two (2) types of plastic: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT).

• ABS is more commonly used as it is used by GMK, the dominant manufacturer of keycaps.
• However, PBT is gaining popularity as the material of choice with newer keycap profiles such as MT3 and KAT.

ABS

• Sharper legends
• Preferred for double-line printing.
• More variety of colors.
• More consistent and straighter keys.

PBT

• Does not light up when in use.
• Deeper sound profile
• Rougher texture
• More creative flexibility with images.

If you are printing keycaps with an FDM printer, layer lines are likely to be visible. If you want to take the time and exert yourself a little, you can sand them down and give the keycaps a smooth finish.

• DLP resin 3D printers have a higher resolution, and you can probably print the keycap with minimal cleaning. The added benefit of having a DLP resin 3D printer is that you can print a ton of keys simultaneously, and it won’t take long to print than a simple print. This does not apply to FDM filament printers. The more you print, the longer the print time.
• You also need to make sure that you are printing at an acceptable resolution regardless of the type of printer. This is less on the surface (which you can paint and sand) than on the stem.
• First, make sure the keycap you are printing has the right stem style for your printer. After printing, it is the stem that fits into the keyboard to hold the keycap in place.
• It’s a pretty tight tolerance, and there isn’t much room to file or grind the underside of the keycap to clean it. The cleaner and more precise you are at printing, the easier it will be to set up the new keycap.

It turns out that keycaps are very popular as patterns for 3D printing. You can design your own with CAD software, but there are several STL files available for download. Find the keycaps (and specify your mechanical keyboard type) on these websites for free:

• https://www.yeggi.com
• https://www.thingiverse.com
• https://3dmdb.com/en/3d-models/keycap/
• https://cults3d.com/en/tags/keycap
• https://sketchfab.com/tags/keycap
• https://stlbase.com/browse/keycap/7/
• https://all3dp.com/2/3d-printed-keycaps-10-best-curated-models-to-3d-print/

Yes, you need a keycap puller for your mechanical keyboard. Removing the keycaps with a small screwdriver or pliers can work, but it could just as easily damage the keycap and cause parts to fly off. Puller tools to remove the keycap are inexpensive and can ensure that the keycap is easy to remove.

If speed is your thing, look for a 3D printer for keycaps that produces a smooth finish. However, DLP 3D printers require post-processing. Also, if you want to print multiple parts at once, choose a printer with a high print volume.

3D printer specification sheets show resolution more often than any other feature. The layer thickness that a 3D printer can produce defines the Z resolution. Comparatively, DLP 3D printers have one of the best Z resolutions. Users can generally choose from several layer height options. The best range for high-resolution prints is between 25 and 300 microns.

A variety of factors affect precision and accuracy, including the 3D printing process, software settings, materials, post-processing, and other factors.

• DLP 3D printers are typically some of the most precise and accurate 3D printers.
• In contrast, entry-level DLP resin printers can use lasers, galvanometers, or standard projectors.
• Professional DLP 3D resin printers have a custom optical system. The system is designed to the specifications of customers’ professional applications.

The leveling process is one challenging aspect of using a 3D resin printer.

• Manual bed leveling can be a real problem and can lead to all kinds of problems with the printing process.
• Manual bed leveling can be a very negative feature, especially for beginners. That is why a self-leveling bed is always preferred. This is typically only the case for the more expensive models.
• However, a good alternative is products that use a single point to level the bed, making the process much easier.

To use a 3D printer for keycaps, you have to send the 3D files to the printer. Connectivity is generally done through a USB cable. Some models include an SD card slot and space for a flash drive. Make sure you find a connectivity option that meets your needs.

Resin 3D printers must be used with slicing software. Printers are designed to work with specific software options. This can actually limit or improve the use and results of the 3D printer. Before selecting the printer, first, familiarize yourself with the software that your printer supports and what it looks like using that software.

No 3D printer for keycaps is completely silent, but some are much louder than others. This is a factor that many people do not think about, but it is essential to take it into account. The best 3D printer for keycap runs quietly. For home use, in particular, you want a model that is not too noisy.

These printers use UV resin, which can be a harmful substance. Resin can generate strong vapors, so the best 3D printers for keycaps have an air filter to make working with the printer more enjoyable and safer.

The resin container that the resin is in makes a big difference to the printer.

• First, the resin tank must be deep enough to work optimally with the 3D printer.
• Some large 3D printers have a tank that is not deep enough for larger print jobs.
• Another consideration is that the resin container should be easy to clean and maintain.
• After usage, you should quickly remove any unwanted resin residue to prevent damaging the printer.

The Anycubic Photon Mono is an excellent option for keycaps printing. This unit is another efficient and compact UV-LCD printer.

• This printer offers a high level of precision and stability with its 6.08″ 2K monochrome LCD screen. It lasts about 4X longer than an RGB LCD, making it a cheaper model in the long run.
• This printer is also very efficient because it sports a resin cure speed of about 1.5 seconds per layer. This 3D resin printer uses parallel matrix light sources with 15-part lamp beads.
• This allows a completely uniform exposure, which improves the keycaps’ quality. The printer is very stable and eliminates overlapping patterns.
• The Photon printing system is one of the best 3D printers for any keycap printing beginner or enthusiast.
• The printer is easy to use, accurate, and efficient. If you are looking for an affordable printer to create replacement keycaps, this is one of the best 3D printers on the market.

Elegoo Mars 2 is one of the best 3D printers for keycaps. This printer is affordable and always delivers high-quality results.

• It’s a really easy-to-use printer that appeals to beginners, home users, and hobbyists alike. This MSLA 3D printer comes with a 6.08″ monochrome LCD screen.
• This screen has a 2K resolution in HD quality. This way, you get precise and detailed printing results for keycaps.
• Also, the printer works very quickly. Resin layers cure within two seconds of exposure, making printing very efficient.
• The Elegoo Mars 2 is characterized by fast printing and easy maintenance. It’s a very easy-to-use 3D printer and comes with very detailed instructions. This makes it an excellent option for beginners.
• The printer is also known for its high accuracy and printing precision for smaller and more detailed objects like keycaps.
• The printer is also designed to last and has a sandblasted build plate and sturdy aluminum housing.

This Phrozen 3D Printer is sometimes considered the easiest to use 4K 3D printers on the market.

• The printer is a great entry-level model for producing the most detailed and efficient keycaps prints possible.
• For creating replacement keycaps at home, this is clearly one of the best options available. Not only is it a very precise printer, but it is also very efficient.
• The Phrozen Sonic Mini Printer can cure resin at a remarkable rate of two (2) seconds per layer. This allows users to print at a speed of up to 80mm/hour.
• The printer features a monochrome LCD that is guaranteed to work for more than 2000 hours. This makes it an ideal option for handling sizeable 3D print jobs.
• The design of this unit is minimal and light. It’s very compact and easy to install in all types of spaces, making it an excellent choice for home use.
• It’s not a big resin 3D printer, of course, but it’s great for creating all kinds of small, precise models such as keycaps.

The ANYCUBIC Photon SE 3D Printer is a slightly higher quality option for keycaps resin printing jobs.

• The 3D printer is effortless to use as it’s completely pre-assembled, and leveling is done with just one screw. There are two rails to avoid the wobble problem, which makes the printing more detailed and accurate.
• The LED matrix is ​​also impressive, significantly improving the precision and accuracy of keycap printing.
• This printer is particularly good at revealing fine textures and model details. Some notable features of this 3D printer are the improved UV module, the easy leveling process, the air filter system, and the linear dual-rail design on the Z-axis.
• These are all updated features from previous designs of the Anycubic 3D Printers.

Creality offers a superb entry-level LCD 3D printer with this stereolithographic printer.

• This unit is ideal for beginners because of its ease of use and simple, compact design. The printer delivers excellent resolution and precision.
• It’s not one of the fastest options as it cures the resin at a rate of about 4 seconds each time later.
• However, you don’t need much more efficient for home use and keycap printing. The Creality LD002R LCD 3D Resin Printer is excellent value for money and is a reasonably straightforward printer.
• It’s not the model of choice for professional or industrial use. Still, it works wonders for a home 3D printer for keycaps.
• It’s easy to use, easy to install, and gives effective results.