Summary

This is an example of a 3D printed keycap with a legend printed on it. The idea is that first, the legend is printed, then, without removing the legend from the build plate, the keycap is printed on top of the legend. By using two distinct colors, a keycap can be printed with a legible legend. This keycap is designed to fit mechanical keyboards with mx - style switches.

This example keycap specifically is made to be printed with a .1mm layer height and a .4mm diameter nozzle. The layer height needs to be .1mm so that the thickness of the legend is a multiple of the layer height. In this example, the thickness of the legend is .2mm. Similarly, the line width of the legend needs to be a multiple of the nozzle diameter. The example has a line thickness of .8mm. It's also very important to thoroughly clean the nozzle between printing the legend and cap, as it's possible for the first color to bleed into the second color on the firs few layers.