ABS & PBT Keycaps

Select the coated ABS or PBT keycaps you want to customize and place them on the laser bed.

Make sure each keycap is clean, stable, and positioned with the intended marking surface facing the laser. Consistent positioning helps keep the design aligned and reduces the risk of movement during laser marking.

Open the provided LightBurn project file or import your own design. Adjust the artwork's size and position to fit the keycap surface. You can create letters, icons, symbols, shortcut labels, logos, or decorative designs for custom mechanical keyboard keycaps.

Select the parameter group that matches the keycaps being tested. The examples below show the settings used for the coated ABS and PBT samples in this tutorial. Because surface finishes and material formulations vary, test the settings on a spare keycap before marking a full set.

Correct focus is essential for consistent keycap laser marking. Make sure the laser is focused on the surface of each ABS or PBT keycap before starting the job.

Follow your machine's focusing procedure. With the red-dot focusing method shown here, the two dots should overlap when the surface is in focus. If they do not overlap, adjust the workpiece height until the correct focus is reached. For uneven keycaps or different surface heights, check the focus for each marking area.

Click the Frame button in LightBurn to check the marking area. Confirm that the design fits within the top surface of the ABS or PBT keycap and that the legend, icon, or logo is positioned as intended.

If the frame is misaligned, adjust the design position and check it again. Before starting the job, confirm that the keycaps are secure and that the selected settings match the material being tested. Close the laser enclosure and operate the Aurora Fiber according to the machine's safety instructions.

Monitor the marking process as directed by the machine's operating instructions. If you notice unusual sounds, alarms, or unexpected material reactions, stop the job when it is safe to do so and follow the machine's safety procedures.

After the job is complete and the machine is safe to open, remove the keycaps and inspect the marked legends, icons, or designs. Clean the surface gently if needed, following the keycap manufacturer's care guidance. If the mark is faint or uneven, test revised settings on a spare keycap before processing the rest of the set.