Resin keycaps are a durable, attractive alternative to the plastic and vinyl covers you find on keyboards. While plastic and vinyl can last several years or longer, they eventually will lose their luster and will need replacing. This is not an issue with the resin variety. They will not crack, peel, or warp. They also have a minute pot life, which means that you can use them for many more years than your other options.
Many computer manufacturers prefer resin keycaps because they are easier to make. With a hot key’s project, you often have to take the time and effort to mold each individual keypad into its own individual shape, one that fits the keyboard well. Not only that, but the finished product often weighs more than you’d like. By using a software program to do your shaping and pressing, you can easily make hundreds of keycaps in a matter of minutes. By keeping the number of hot keys down, you will be able to create fewer for your business.
By using an artisan keycap maker, though, you can easily make hundreds of keycaps in little or no time at all. There’s no need to mold the individual keys, after all. Instead, you can simply purchase blank keycaps in bulk, along with the necessary keycap holders and die cuts. Then all you have to do is press the hot keys and install the holders and dies into those blank keycaps. If you prefer, you can then cut and engrave those same keycaps, creating stunning personalized keycaps for your business. All you have to do is select which colors you want, what type of keypad holder you want (whether a cap, clip, or lever) and what type of keycap hole you would like.
For those just getting started, you may want to consider investing in a high quality clay keycap mold, especially if you are starting out. A high quality clay mold will make it much easier to create individual keycaps on a large scale. You can purchase a keycap molds starter kit that has everything you need, right out of the box. Or if you prefer, you can learn how to sculpt the polymer clay keycaps yourself. It is definitely a worthwhile hobby that can also lead to lucrative careers for those who enjoy sculpting their own products. With an artisan mold, you can get started on the right foot and ensure that your product gets noticed.
First, you will want to start by preparing the mold. Sculpting in a suitable environment, with a good air circulation and a steady temperature is important. Next, you will want to heat the mold until it is nearly set and smooth-on the resin. The resin will need to be cured for at least 45 minutes before pressing into molds. It is possible to speed up the process in certain circumstances, but unless you have access to an industrial oven it is best to leave it as close to room temperature as possible.
The mold should come out clean and smooth after the process. If it does not, you will need to clean it and allow it to dry while it cures. You should not have any issues with the finished product, but if it does not work well, you may have to start over or you will need to have another piece of work done. Getting the perfect keycaps for your production can be difficult, but with the proper tools and safety equipment it is possible. With a high quality material like polyresin you can be sure that your keycaps will look professional and stand up to anything that your customers can throw at them.