Choosing the right keyboard is like choosing new clothes– you want to find one that fits your style and personality!
The same goes for mechanical keyboards, they all do something different so it’s important to know what features matter most to you before investing in one. Some people love the vibrant lighting feature while others prefer solid white key caps.
By having these two things in mind, you will be able to pick out the perfect mechanical keyboard for yourself! And don’t forget about customizable keycap colours either, why not design your own set of keys?
Here we will discuss some great ways to light up and customise your cute mechanical keyboard.
Table of Contents
Decide what colours you like
Choosing your keyboard style or design theme is an important decision! There are many types of designs, colour schemes, and keycap styles to choose from.
You get some freedom in choosing where to purchase your parts and how to personalise yours.
For example, most people begin by picking their favourite font and then finding matching text covers or key caps that go with it. They may also pick different shades of red, blue, green, and white to use as underglow effects.
Then, they mix and match those components to create our custom look! The possibilities are endless really. 🙂 You can find tons of pictures and information online to help you along the way.
Colour scheme ideas? Try using black or white letters next to each other to make stripes, or use a solid colour family (like red) and add little accents here and there.
Decide what lighting effects you want
There are three main types of mechanical keyboard illumination. Directly attached, docked, and floating. Directly attached keyboards have built-in light that can be switched on or off depending on your preference or needs.
Dockable keyboards function similarly to directly attached ones, but they allow users to attach their own illuminated dock covers. These covers can then be used to switch off the internal lights or add new external decorations to match the theme of the keyboard.
The last type is called floating because there is no fixed position for the light. It can go anywhere on the top surface of the board.
Get a keyboard that has the features you want
While some people enjoy very specific keyboards with extremely customizable key caps, not everyone enjoys looking at all of those decorations while typing!
There are many mechanical keyboards out there that feature different backlighting schemes or fully programmable lighting effects such as RGB LEDs or laser lights.
These types of keyboards have modes to easily be ableized through the software or by using external controllers to change what colours the keys light up and how bright they are. Some even allow you to create your own settings or designs!
The best part about these type of keyboards is that they are totally customizable to whatever looks good to you! They are also relatively inexpensive depending on which model you pick.
Try using a sticker to change the colours
Changing the keyboard’s case or keycap colour is one of the most popular ways to customise your mechanical keyboard. There are many sites that sell pre-made cases and keyboards, but you can also mix and match components to make your own!
Making your own custom cases is not very difficult if you have access to a good machine shop and some basic soldering skills. Many people use online printing services like Make Your Own Press to print off their new case cover!
Sticker strips are another way to add additional customization. You can buy sheets with different designs, and then cut out the stickers to apply them onto the back side of the new case cover!
There are several types of lighting available for mechanical keyboards. Some only work in dark environments while others put up a pretty glow. It is totally possible to do both at the same time!
This article will go over all the possibilities for internal and external illumination as well as some tips and tricks to achieve the best looking design.
Use paint to change the colours
Changing your keyboard’s keycap colour is one of the easiest ways to update its look. You can use liquid gel or powder paints, either professional grade or more advanced homemade types!
There are several online resources where you can find various recipes and tips for making your own keys at home. Many people also mix their own glues and chemicals so do not be afraid to experiment if you feel that some settings do not work or do not hold up in repeated uses.
We recommend trying out each setting before diving into buying a ton of new supplies! Luckily, most liquids will dry down and set within an hour-two hours depending on the type of paint used.
Once everything has dried, just switch off the lights and test your newly painted keyboards! If anything looks blurry or mismatched, try rubbing it with a clean cloth to see if that fixes it.
Get a heated keyboard
When using a mechanical keyboard, one of your main decisions is whether to have solid or gel-ish key switches. Gel switch keyboards are typically designed with slightly translucent top layers that add some light show under the keys. This looks very cool!
However, these types of switches can become warm due to them having a higher internal temperature than more traditional switch types. Because they’re mostly plastic, this heat can cause discomfort as well as damage to nearby materials like paintwork or upholstery.
Heated switch technology uses an external source to give off energy to help regulate the switching element inside the keycap.
Get a mechanical keyboard
When choosing between the various types of keyboards, consider what features you want and need. Is software easy to use? Does it have many customizable options? How about backlighting?
The last one is an especially important feature as most people these days spend a lot of time typing online. Many users add dedicated key presses or app shortcuts by tapping into the program’s settings first before switching over to type away.
Ace Studio has shown off some interesting new designs that are almost impossible to ignore. Their Tactile Switch Series comes in both solid colour and laser etched styles! They even offer different layouts such as QWERTY, DVORAK, and Colemak.
Their Ghosting-Free switches ensure better tactile feedback and reduced ghosting which makes them perfect for professional and amateur typists alike.
Buy a decal to put on the keyboard
One of my favourite trends in mechanical keyboards is adding customizable key caps or creating your own! You can pick from pre-made sets, which have already designed keys, or you can take things one step further and design your own!
The first way is definitely more expensive, but they are totally worth it if you are looking to add some personal touches to your board. The second way is much less expensive, and most people begin doing this by buying individual sheet masks that match certain colours.
Now, many companies offer fully customised key covers or case mods that are much deeper than just a layer of film over the switch. These go all the way down to the spring level!
These types of modifications are very powerful ways to improve the performance of your keyboard and increase its aesthetic appeal.
