Dye sublimation for one reason and one reason only

[KeycapMan]

I love keyboards, not those lame black laptop keyboards which are thin and make no sound. No I like those big clickity clackity mechanical ones with obnoxious designs and an even more obnoxious typing sound.

People spend huge amounts of money to get keys that have a design the like. I'm talking hundreds of pounds. The issue is it's hard to find something that really fits what you want. (I'm personally a big orange and blue fan)... Anyway, I found keycaps are made from PBT and the designs are done through dye sublimation. Now you see where this is going...

Essentially I want to get into dye sublimating my own keycaps. The issue with this is that they're 3D. So there are plenty of fulfillment providers in the UK for printing onto a flat surface (or cylinders) but none for dye sublimating 3D objects like keyboard keycaps, computer mice and that sort of thing.

I know it's possible (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7I20sDq7QRY) but i'm worried I might be biting off more than I can chew :S

Anyway, that's why I joined the forum. Trying to get my head around all things impregnating plastic with dye...

Josh

[Mrteajunkie]

I think this is using a vacuum oven looking at that video.
similar to phone case presses but larger.

that machine looks like it uses a custom made jig to hold the keys in place which will be a fair whack in itself.
not to mention the cost of the press itself but if you plan on diving in then you could make some money if there is call for it.

Dont get me wrong you might see keyboards for sell for £100’s of pounds but are they actually selling any?
I can see things for sell on eBay for £100 but that doesn’t mean they actually sell any at that price.

[KeycapMan]

I think you're right. There's a few places selling specifically those ovens and jigs online.

They're definitely selling a fair few, they have an Instagram page which has grown to 30k followers in just a year and each day they get at least 1 review on trustpilot and people tagging them on insta.

My worry is getting all the equipment and then realising I have no idea how to use any of it or it doesn't provide a decent end product.

[Mrteajunkie]

It’s not something your going to perfect overnight even simple items like mugs or coasters have issues just look at the forum.

my worry would be spending £1000’s on equipment only for the market to become saturated with crafting mums making them in the garden shed for pennies and wiping out any chance of profit.

It may be a great idea and I’m not trying to put you off but I would strongly advise seeing one in action with your own eyes. and maybe even see if there’s some kind of training available to start you off.

Just my opinion and please don’t take my word for it because I know nothing about keyboard printing lol.

[Justin]

Uhm.....isn't this something we discussed in a PM? I responded a couple of times?

[KeycapMan]

Hi Justin, that's right. I thought best to introduce myself to the sub and see if anyone had a particular expertise in all things 3D dye sub.