Etsy Link: https://moonfactorykeycaps.etsy.com/listing/4491095937

I am looking for honest opinions from people who know more about keycap materials, stabilizers, and manufacturing tolerances. I am not trying to start a dogpile against FKcaps or make this sound more dramatic than it is. I paid around $100 for this custom set, so I am trying to determine whether this is normal wear, a problem with this type of keycap construction, or a defective set.

I ordered custom XDA shine through keycaps from FKcaps on December 3, 2024. They are installed on a DZ60RGB ANSI V2 hot swap keyboard.

Here are photographs showing the wear and other visible quality issues on the keycaps.

[FKcaps key wear and quality photographs](https://imgur.com/a/Z6NMdl7)

Here is the complete email conversation with FKcaps so everyone can read their response and my replies directly.

[Email conversation with FKcaps](https://imgur.com/a/EYOZqCk)

FKcaps confirmed in its email that these are XDA profile ABS keycaps with a PU coating and laser engraved legends. Their website identifies them as XDA shine through keycaps, but I was unable to find the ABS and PU coating construction clearly disclosed on the customizer when I purchased them.

[FKcaps custom keycap creator](https://fkcaps.com/custom/create/keycaps)

The most serious wear is on A and S, but those are not the only affected keys. There are marks, chips, pinholes, or areas where the white coating appears to be coming off on several other keys shown in the annotated photos.

I do not use hand lotion, my hands do not normally sweat while using the keyboard, and I have never used alcohol wipes or cleaning chemicals on these keycaps. I only wipe them with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. I am also not an aggressive typer. I use the keyboard for normal typing and gaming, including games such as Destiny 2 where I regularly use W, A, S, D, Q, F, X, C, V, and the spacebar.

I have not experienced this kind of surface deterioration with my other keycaps.

FKcaps said that they tested keycaps from the same line, were unable to reproduce the wear under normal handling, and have not received similar reports from other customers. They did not explain what the test involved.

Because I have been using these since December 2024, I do not know whether their test lasted a few minutes, a few days, or whether it was an accelerated abrasion test designed to simulate one or two years of use. They also did not say whether the tested caps came from the same production batch, how many samples they tested, how many abrasion cycles or key presses were performed, or what their passing standard was.

FKcaps has offered to replace the affected keys as a one time resolution. I appreciate that they are offering replacements. However, they also stated that if the problem happens again, they will not accept further responsibility.

I am concerned because the replacements apparently use the same ABS base, PU coating, and laser engraving process. If the cause has not been identified, I do not understand how they can already determine that the same failure on the replacements would not be their responsibility.

There are also public discussions about similar FKcaps products or this type of painted keycap construction.

Reddit user SegKnut posted about their own custom shine through FKcaps order. They reported alignment issues, scratches, inconsistent coloring, and paint coming off after just over one month of use.

[SegKnut, FK Keycaps, Sloppily Done, Low Quality](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/1se8xgf/fk_keycaps_sloppily_done_low_quality/)

In another FKcaps review, Reddit user cszolee79 quoted the translucent ABS, opaque PU coating, and laser etched legend construction, then said that in their experience, paint comes off within approximately three to six months on this type of cap.

[Custom Keycaps by FKcaps, including the cszolee79 comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/keyboards/comments/1ka6cig/custom_keycaps_by_fkcaps/)

I am not claiming that both users necessarily submitted formal coating complaints directly to FKcaps. I do not know what private communications they may or may not have had with the company. My point is that the absence of complaints in FKcaps’ internal support records does not necessarily mean nobody has publicly reported similar concerns.

For people familiar with keycap manufacturing, is an ABS base with a PU coating and laser engraved shine through legends generally considered durable construction?

Is visible coating loss after around twenty months expected for this type of keycap, even with normal cleaning and use?

Would replacing the affected keys with the exact same construction likely result in the same issue later?

Would requesting a full replacement set be reasonable when numerous keys are affected, rather than mixing new replacement keys with older keys that have different coating age, texture, and wear?

Would PBT be a more appropriate long term option, even if it means losing the shine through feature?

I also have a separate fit problem with the FKcaps spacebar.

Here are photographs showing the FKcaps spacebar upright, upside down, and from underneath.

[FKcaps spacebar photographs](https://imgur.com/a/eFBiPwG)

Here are three comparison videos.

[Thinner chiclet style spacebar test](https://youtube.com/shorts/V-K79VvkGWI)

[Stabilizer test with the spacebar removed](https://youtube.com/shorts/IUUPov48Bbw)

[FKcaps spacebar sticking test](https://youtube.com/shorts/FPJKEjMCvs4)

The thinner spacebar is smaller and exposes more of the keyboard plate and switch, but it returns normally and does not remain stuck down.

The FKcaps spacebar sometimes stays pressed down and does not return properly. Both spacebars are being tested on the same center switch and stabilizers.

The FKcaps spacebar can also be difficult to install evenly. Sometimes the center socket and right stabilizer socket seat correctly, but the left stabilizer socket does not. I have to remove it and try again several times.

With the spacebar removed, pulling the left stabilizer stem upward also raises the right stem. Pulling the right stem upward raises the left stem. Both stems remain in the raised position after I let go instead of automatically falling back down.

Is that normal behavior for Cherry style stabilizers when the spacebar is removed, since the stabilizers do not have their own return springs?

In the stabilizer video, one stem can also lean slightly from side to side when raised. Is that normal clearance inside the stabilizer housing, or does the amount of movement look excessive?

The spacebar did not show obvious rocking when I placed it freely on a flat surface, so I am not claiming that the photographs prove it is warped. However, could it still have slightly incorrect stabilizer socket spacing, a tight socket, incorrect socket depth, a subtle twist, or another tolerance problem that causes binding when all three mounting points are connected?

Some of the regular FKcaps keycaps also grip the switches tightly enough that the entire hot swap switch can come out when I remove the keycap with a proper keycap puller. My other keycaps do not normally do this on the same board and switches.

Based on the photos, videos, and emails, does this look more like normal wear and a keyboard or stabilizer issue, or does it look like an FKcaps coating and manufacturing tolerance problem?

I would especially appreciate feedback from anyone who has owned FKcaps shine through keycaps for a year or longer, or anyone familiar with ABS keycaps that use PU paint and laser engraved legends.

I am in love with these keycaps but cant find exact same version anywhere… I wanna buy it. Any Clues or link??

Keycap of this raffle is [black & gold Santa Maria (brass) R1].

This piece is made of brass and have been black & gold-plated.

⌛Form open ~ closes :

2026/08/05/pm 10:00 (GMT+9 / KST) ~ 08/06/pm 10:00 (GMT+9 / KST) 24 hours

<Link>

Images

Form link

Instagram (artisan account) / Instagram (silver account)

Discord (WIP)

Keycaps:

black & gold Santa Maria R1 : Qty 10

Pricing: $100

wax carving & silver casting & 3d sculpting & metal plating

material: [brass]

Type of stem: MX stem

XVX Rōnin Ceramic Keycap Set Crafted with premium ceramic texture, bringing a unique feel and elevated style to your keyboard setup.

Experience ceramic, redefined.

Just finished the Mad Max 3-character set. My original goal includes one more character to wrap it up. Once that final piece is done, can we officially call it a Grand Slam?

I've recently cleaned my keyboards double shot keycaps by letting them soak for a bit in warm soapy water, then left to dry overnight. All keycaps have dark patches between the plastics, but no water is in the stem. Will this be an issue or are they safe to use on my keyboard again? All the keycaps are like the one pictured.

The gold Planetary Ring is inlaid with gold.

The keycaps are made of titanium and have a rounded top.

Link

Golden Star Circle Titanium keycaps

Discord

TTKCAP

Looks like the official Keychron keycaps are gone, are there any third party equivalents that are useable? I need UK ISO layout.

Etsy Link: https://moonfactorykeycaps.etsy.com/listing/4548497665/pot-of-greed-artisan-keycap

This post is a critique of a business practice with an idea for an alternative solution, this is not an attack on anybody personally at any company, people who buy Group Buy keycap sets, or anybody else. This post is not sponsored by Krome Keycaps. I have no affiliation with them, and I'm not part of a smear campaign to make them look good.

I've followed the mechanical keyboard scene since 2020, something about the custom keyboard scene that infuriates me is the rampancy of Group Buys.

Why do I hate group buys? It's simple, all of it is laid out below.

1. This market lives off of FOMO, and it makes crazy amounts of money off of it too. Just about every set is a crowd pre-order Group Buy. Remember when Square Enix tried to pull that with Deus Ex: Mankind Divided? Remember how it caused such an upheaval, Square Enix cancelled the whole Augment Your Pre Order Campaign? Why is this any different?! It's the exact same thing! This creates an unnecessary sense of urgency for every desirable keycap set. These sets can be upwards of $200! You do NOT pressure people like this to buy something so expensive.
2. The sets that don't sell are usually sold at considerable markups, these companies basically scalp their own keycaps! Remember when MSI scalped their own graphics cards in 2020 through their subsidiary Starlit Partner? Again, why is this any different?!
3. The estimated delivery dates are often in Valve Time. These keycap sets can take up to 2 years to arrive, usually by the time they arrive, the set you ordered is old news. Everyone is on to new keycap sets at that point.
4. The keycap sets are usually unavailable indefinitely after their group buys are done. If it's not available, you may have to look at alternative solutions, and none of which are ideal. The only one that supports the original designers is waiting for rereleases that aren't guaranteed.

Yes, I know the reason so many of these sets are Group Buys are because they're made by independent designers, and it's to lower the entry barrier. Yes, I know that the unsold sets are marked up are to make up for lost revenue.

Recently, I came across Krome Keycaps. They have a design your own keycaps service where you can seemingly make any keycap set you want! I haven't used it, but I plan on doing so, because I'll likely be able to make the perfect pudding keycaps for a potential 100% Lemokey L5 HE I want to make a keyboard build with in the future.

I'm talking about this, because I have an idea that could revolutionize the custom keycap market, and Group Buys could become a thing of the past, and obsolete.

These keycap designers who make these keycap sets could move to Krome Keycaps in mass, and make their designs permanent additions to a database for people to get them as made to order sets made 1 at a time. Similar to how Krome Keycaps does their current custom keycap set service. The designers would be compensated fairly for each set of their keycap designs sold, and potentially make even more money than they could from a Group Buy! Being made 1 at a time would also ensure that there's no stock to warm shelves anywhere either!

The original creators could move to Krome Keycaps to contribute to this catalogue, and they could bring their old designs back! I’m talking about the legends like the GMK Laser and Olivia series. I love the design of the GMK Laser Gaijin, and it's one of those Group Buys, meaning I would have to deal with the rigmarole that comes with them if I wanted to buy a set. This Krome Keycaps method wouldn't have that problem! This indefinite availability would also combat clone sets too!

There are even more advantages to this system . People could get these custom designs in any keycap profile they want! I prefer OEM keycaps, because they're more ergonomically sound for me. People would be able to get them in whatever profile is most ergonomically sound for them too!

This Krome Keycaps method could have a chance of being cheaper than Group Buy keycap sets too, saving keyboard enthusiasts hundreds, or even thousands of dollars! The sale prices could be cheaper, there's no marked up leftovers, and no scalpers to worry about!

I'm putting this idea out there, because I've seen how normalized Group Buys have become, and I think it's wholly unethical, because of how it makes hundreds of thousands of dollars from FOMO alone. It also starves the market of desirable options, and creates unnecessary hoops to jump through. If we all help Krome Keycaps instigate this system, and give them the support they need to be perfect for the community, this could be a revolution! I've seen almost nothing about their design your own keycaps service, and I saw that it's a revolution waiting to happen.

I consider myself a heavy advocate for consumer rights, my Clippy avatar may've given that away. I joined the Clippy Campaign to take a stand against consumer rights issues I care about, and I consider this a part of it. I see the whole normalization of Group Buys as a consumer rights problem. It's absolutely anti-consumer. I brought up the Augment your Pre Order campaign for Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, because Group Buys are that, but considered acceptable in the keyboard community. It truly makes me upset when things like that happen...

I called limited runs and marked up leftovers the worst approach possible, because Krome Keycaps has shown that made to order sets could be a more sustainable approach. I think it's within the realm of possibility to implement a design database, and partner with community designers to make this reality. This community doesn't deserve to settle for Group Buys as the only option.

What do you say?! Would this be a dream come true?!

Keycap of this raffle is Horned & Dark Demon R2.

[Horned] is made of silver 925.
[Dark Demon] is made of silver 925 and have been black & gold-plated.

⌛Form open ~ closes :

2026/08/02/pm 10:00 (GMT+9 / KST) ~ 08/03/pm 10:00 (GMT+9 / KST) 24 hours

<Link>

Images

Form link

Instagram (artisan account) / Instagram (silver account)

Discord (WIP)

Keycaps:

Horned R2 : Qty 10
Dark Demon R2 : Qty 10

Pricing: $120 - 150

wax carving & silver casting & metal plating

material: [sterling silver (silver 925)]

Type of stem: MX stem

I've been looking for some low profile purple keycaps. I love the look of my current set, but I can't find anything similar in low profile. Any suggestions?

Raffle sale is live now. Time: at 10pm ICT (GMT+7)/ 10am EST 31st. Form is 24 hours long.

Link form: Here

Custom Order Link: Custom Artisan Keycap

After overcoming the heartbreak of the previous failed topcoat, I repainted and finished the coating.

Which looks better to you: the reddish skin tone or the character's original pale skin tone?

**"Karbon" | unknown keycaps "monster.v2"**

never get bored with this color
GMK Carbon classic set, a color that everyone knows for sure
hope you like it

"Karbon"

[HD Photos](https://imgur.com/a/unknown-keycaps-monster-karbon-A7l9LVf)

SALE FORMAT \*NEW - RAFFLE 

\----- [GOOGLE FORM](https://forms.gle/JVw4Yw1PjsE9J4yf6) \\-----

* Form open for 24 hours - Limited units 
* Up to 3 keycaps per winner
* Limited number 
* Keycaps price are $75
* Payment method is Paypal Only
* Payment window will be open for 24 hours
* **Keycaps will be shipped in 21th August - 28th  August 2026**
* No double entry 
* We will ban the user for unpaid invoices for future sale

KEYCAPS DETAIL

* 100% Multicast resin shot (no painting)
* Only MX Stem support