# DIY Decorative Resin Keycaps ## Overview https://youtu.be/J0ZUBEqV9ps In this project, we’re resin casting keycaps for Mechanical Keyboards like the Adafruit MacroPad! Resin casting keycaps is a really fun way to level up your keyboard making skills. We experiment with adding colored pigments, glitter, even some components like resistors and googly eyes.   ![projects_capsB-hero.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/103/782/medium640/projects_capsB-hero.jpg?1628530769) ![projects_resistor-hero-close.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/103/783/medium640/projects_resistor-hero-close.jpg?1628530847) You can make your own set of keycaps with these silicone molds and UV-curable resin. To keep it simple, all you really need is the keycap molds, some UV resin and a UV lamp for curing. We designed and 3D printed our own mini UV lamp a while back which is just the right size for these silicone molds. Check out the files and tutorial to make your own UV Lamp below.   ![projects_mold-hero.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/103/784/medium640/projects_mold-hero.jpg?1628530974) ![projects_uv-mold-caps.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/103/785/medium640/projects_uv-mold-caps.jpg?1628531295) [Download UV Lamp Files](https://learn.adafruit.com/uv-manicure-lamp) ![Eye](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/guides/images/000/003/389/original/eye-hero-close.jpg?1628518940) ## Parts ### 3 x 1U and 2 x 1.25U "Ctrl" Silicone Keycap Molds [3 x 1U and 2 x 1.25U "Ctrl" Silicone Keycap Molds](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5079) If you love to customize, why not level up your DIY keeb-makin' skills and craft your own set of bespoke 'caps with this keycap mold that has three "1U R1" (e.g. single bottom row key) molds and two 1.25U  **Ctrl Keycap Molds**.  We recommend... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5079) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5079/guides) ![Top view of Ctrl keycap mold pieces.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5079-02.jpg) ### Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Linear Red - 12 Pack [Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Linear Red - 12 Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5122) For crafting your very own custom keyboard, these ** Kailh Red Linear mechanical key switches**  are deeee-luxe! With smooth actuation and Cherry MX compatibility, they're lovely when you want a  **smooth linear ** keystroke: - Type... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5122) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5122/guides) ![Top shot of 12 pack Red Kailh Mechanical Key Switches ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5122-02.jpg) ### Adafruit MACROPAD RP2040 Bare Bones - 3x4 Keys + Encoder + OLED [Adafruit MACROPAD RP2040 Bare Bones - 3x4 Keys + Encoder + OLED](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5100) Strap yourself in, we're launching in T-minus 10 seconds...Destination? A new Class M planet called MACROPAD! M here, stands for Microcontroller because this 3x4 keyboard controller features the newest technology from the Raspberry Pi sector: say hello to the RP2040. It's a speedy... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5100) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5100/guides) ![Angled shot of MacroPad](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5100-00.jpg) ### Adafruit MacroPad RP2040 Enclosure + Hardware Add-on Pack [Adafruit MacroPad RP2040 Enclosure + Hardware Add-on Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5103) Dress up your Adafruit Macropad with PaintYourDragon's fabulous decorative silkscreen enclosure and hardware kit. You get the two custom PCBs that are cut to act as a protective bottom plate and and a mechanically-stabilizing keyboard plate. Use the included M3 screws to attach the... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5103) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5103/guides) ![Top view of MacroPad add on pack](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5103-06.jpg) ### NeoKey 5x6 Ortho Snap-Apart Mechanical Key Switches w/ NeoPixel [NeoKey 5x6 Ortho Snap-Apart Mechanical Key Switches w/ NeoPixel](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5157) For folks who want ready-to-go keeb action, we've got the lovely [Adafruit Macropad with a 3x4 grid of MX+NeoPixel key switches](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5100) - but for those who like to forge their own path, we now present the easiest way of creating custom ortholinear... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5157) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5157/guides) ![Top view video of a Black woman's hands pressing the key switches on to emit rainbow colors from the NeoPixels.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5157-03.jpg) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/103/786/medium800/projects_tool-hero.jpg?1628531748) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-decorative-resin-keycaps/make-keycap-molds.md) ## Featured Products ### 3 x 1U and 2 x 1.25U "Ctrl" Silicone Keycap Molds [3 x 1U and 2 x 1.25U "Ctrl" Silicone Keycap Molds](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5079) If you love to customize, why not level up your DIY keeb-makin' skills and craft your own set of bespoke 'caps with this keycap mold that has three "1U R1" (e.g. single bottom row key) molds and two 1.25U  **Ctrl Keycap Molds**.  We recommend... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5079) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5079/guides) ### Kitty Paw Silicone Keycap Molds - MX Compatible Switches [Kitty Paw Silicone Keycap Molds - MX Compatible Switches](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5076) If you love our [Kitty Paw Keycaps](https://www.adafruit.com/?q=kitty+paw&sort=BestMatch) and love to customize, why not level up your DIY keeb-makin' skills and craft your own set of bespoke 'caps with these  **Kitty Paw Keycap...** In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5076) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5076/guides) ### Fluorescent Pigment - Purple [Fluorescent Pigment - Purple](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4124) We're with the squad back at New York's hottest cyberpunk club, _Near Field Commune(ication), _and it's _still_ got  **everything** , _[Adabot & the Circuit...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvNxZmZCqvw)_ No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4124) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4124/guides) ### NeoKey 5x6 Ortho Snap-Apart Mechanical Key Switches w/ NeoPixel [NeoKey 5x6 Ortho Snap-Apart Mechanical Key Switches w/ NeoPixel](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5157) For folks who want ready-to-go keeb action, we've got the lovely [Adafruit Macropad with a 3x4 grid of MX+NeoPixel key switches](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5100) - but for those who like to forge their own path, we now present the easiest way of creating custom ortholinear... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5157) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5157/guides) ### Adafruit MACROPAD RP2040 Bare Bones - 3x4 Keys + Encoder + OLED [Adafruit MACROPAD RP2040 Bare Bones - 3x4 Keys + Encoder + OLED](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5100) Strap yourself in, we're launching in T-minus 10 seconds...Destination? A new Class M planet called MACROPAD! M here, stands for Microcontroller because this 3x4 keyboard controller features the newest technology from the Raspberry Pi sector: say hello to the RP2040. It's a speedy... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5100) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5100/guides) ### Flush diagonal cutters [Flush diagonal cutters](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) These are the best diagonal cutters, large super-comfortable grip to use and have strong nippers for perfect trimming of wires and leads. I've used my pair every day for years. In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/152/guides) ### Precision Straight Tweezers - Rhino SW-11 [Precision Straight Tweezers - Rhino SW-11](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3096) King Arthur carried Excalibur and Thor wields Mjölnir, but the Electrical Engineer? She will always have a pair of excellent tweezers at the ready such as these **Rhino SW-11 Tweezers** ! They are sharp, straight, and super luxurious. These  are... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3096) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3096/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit MacroPad RP2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-macropad-rp2040.md) - [Adafruit NeoKey 5x6 Ortho Snap-Apart](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neokey-5x6-ortho-snap-apart.md) - [Numpad 4000 Mechanical Keyswitch Data Entry Device](https://learn.adafruit.com/numpad-4000-mechanical-keyswitch-data-entry-device.md) - [Minecraft Turbopad](https://learn.adafruit.com/minecraft-turbopad.md) - [Ableton Live MacroPad Launcher](https://learn.adafruit.com/ableton-live-macropad-launcher.md) - [4x12 Ortho Mechanical Keyboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/4x12-ortho-mechanical-keyboard.md) - [MacroPad Summer Olympics Hotkeys](https://learn.adafruit.com/macropad-olympic-hotkeys.md) - [Deluxe 4x4 NeoPixel Keypad](https://learn.adafruit.com/deluxe-4x4-neopixel-neokey-keypad.md) - [3D Printed Stand for MacroPad RP2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-stand-for-macropad-rp2040.md) - [MacroPad Braille Keycaps](https://learn.adafruit.com/macropad-braille-keycaps.md) - [AdaBox 019](https://learn.adafruit.com/adabox019.md) - [An Introduction to RP2040 PIO with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/intro-to-rp2040-pio-with-circuitpython.md) - [MACROPAD Hotkeys](https://learn.adafruit.com/macropad-hotkeys.md) - [Dragon Drop: a CircuitPython Game for MacroPad](https://learn.adafruit.com/dragon-drop-a-circuitpython-game-for-macropad.md) - [Using QMK on RP2040 Microcontrollers](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-qmk-on-rp2040-microcontrollers.md)