Dye-Sublimation vs. Double-Shot Keycaps

What is the difference between a dye-sub and a double-shot keycap?

The good old mechanical keyboard keycap question. Unbeknown to most, but as vital as mechanical switches when it comes to selecting keycaps for your mechanical gaming keyboard. In this blog, we will be looking into what double-shot keycaps are, as well as breaking down the differences between Dye-Sublimation and Double-shot Keycaps.

Below is an image of two sets of key caps, but only one displays Dye-Sublimated keycaps. Can you spot the difference?

Dye-sublimation and double-shot keycaps difference

Keycaps are as vital to your typing and gaming experience as they are to the overall aesthetics to your mechanical gaming keyboard. There’s no doubt that you’ve already browsed the plethora of keycap websites, and scoured Amazon in search for the perfect set of keycaps for your mechanical keyboard, only to get confused by terminologies such as “Dye-Sub”, “Double-Shot”, and so forth.

It can get a little confusing as you dive deep into the knowledge base of mechanical gaming keyboard keycaps, as there are several options, from materials to design. The most important aspect however, is what we'll cover here. Let’s aim to break this down in the simplest terms possible, making your mechanical gaming keyboard keycap shopping experience a whole lot more pleasant.

Dye-sublimated keycaps, or “Dye-Sub” keycaps as they are often referred to are mechanical keyboard keycaps that are made using a dye-sublimation process, where the dye is heated until it turns into a gas and is then infused into the keycap material. The letters and symbols are not laser-etched or molded, but rather embedded into the keycap, making them durable and resistant to wear. Dye-sub keycaps can also be double-shot keycaps, the secondary difference though, is that with a Dye-Sub keycap, you don't get shine-through (translucent) keycaps.

Double-shot keycaps are keycaps made using a dual-mold injection process. This involves two separate pieces of plastic that are molded together, with one layer forming the base of the keycap and the second layer forming the Legend (letters or symbols). Since the legends are part of the second layer of plastic, they do not wear off, fade, or get shiny over time. This ensures the highest level of quality for the keycap.

Many keycaps are made with a dual-mold injection process, whether its ABS or PBT keycaps for mechanical keyboards. The one thing you do need to lookout for in terms of differences, are whether the keycaps are shine-through, allowing RGB backlight to shine through the keycaps. Keycaps that are dye-sublimated, won't have that translucent feature, but they'll still serve you well. It all comes down to your preference at the end of the day.

Both keycap manufacturing process can produce high-quality mechanical keyboard keycaps with great design details, but each have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Keycap features	Double-shot keycaps	Dye-sublimation keycaps
Manufacturing Process	Dual-mold injection process	Uses extreme heat to infuse the dye into the plastic
Keycap durability	letters & symbols never fade away	Lasts as long as double-shot keycap do
Design details	Sharper looking	Smoother edges
Legends (letters & symbols)	Injected plastic forming the legends	Directly infused onto the keycaps
Typing feel & experience	No bump	No bump
Cost-effectiveness	Generally more expensive	Generally less expensive
RGB backlight	Legends shine-through	Legends are opaque (not shine-through)
Compatibility	ABS & PBT keycaps	Only on PBT keycaps

Below is an image of a double-shot keycap. You can clearly see both layers of the keycaps, the secondary transparent layer of plastic is where the Legends (letters & symbols) are molded onto, and then covered by an outer layer (pressed together). This end-result provides you with a shine-through keycap that allows RGB light to shine through the Legends (letters & symbols).

A Key Comparison - ABS vs. PBT

Now that we've covered dye-sub and double-shot keycaps, let's look at the differences between ABS and PBT.

This detailed breakdown should help you decide on your keycap preferences based on keycap texture & feel, sound, durability, and user experience. Remember, both PBT & ABS keycaps are available in shine-through double-shot keycaps, while only PBT is available in dye-sublimated double-shot keycaps.


Keycap material	ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)	PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)
Texture & Feel	Smoother & glossier. succumbs to finger oils and wear.	More textured, matte finish, with a grippier feel. Retain their texture & resist developing a shine.
Durability	Less durable than PBT, more prone to wear and shine. Can develop a greasy appearance and become less visually appealing over time. Thinner ABS keycaps may feel less solid and more prone to warping in extreme heat.	More durable than ABS keycaps. Resistant to wear, shine, and fading over time. Tend to be thicker and less prone to warping under heat or extended use.
Sound	Produce a higher-pitched, “clicky” sound when typing. Lighter in weight, which contributes to the sound being more "hollow."	Typing sound is typically deeper and more "thocky" due to the denser and thicker material. Heavier than ABS keycaps, contributing to a more solid sound profile.
Printing Methods	Commonly used with double-shot molding (where legends don’t wear off) or pad-printing (which wears off quickly).	Double-shot PBT keycaps are less common but exist and provide legends that do not wear out. Often paired with dye-sublimation or laser etching (especially in cheaper sets).
Color options	Easier to mold and dye, leading to brighter and more vibrant color options. More commonly used for custom and novelty keycap sets because of the color flexibility.	PBT is harder to dye, and color options tend to be more muted compared to ABS. Fewer vibrant or translucent options, though there are still good quality sets available.
Cost	Generally cheaper to produce, especially in mass-market sets. Found in most standard and budget mechanical keyboards.	Usually more expensive due to the durability and harder manufacturing process. More common in higher-end or enthusiast keyboards.
Resistance to high temperatures	Less resistant to heat, which can cause warping or deformation if exposed to high temperatures.	Superior heat and chemical resistance, making them more durable in extreme conditions.

Legends (letters & symbols) - as shown on the Hexgears Y Series Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Both dye-sublimated and double-shot keycaps can produce premium-looking legends that look sharp, crisp, and clear. The only notable difference that can occur in relation to the quality of the legends is in the manufacturing process, where the room for error with dye-sub keycaps is highly likely with less experienced manufacturers, and could result in the dye-sub being slightly misaligned. Double-shot keycaps on the other hand, are always more consistent in their production process, that is because they are made of plastic injected into a pre-made mold.

In addition, the advantage double-shot keycaps have over dye-sublimated keycaps is that they can produce any color with precision. This is possible because the color is mixed in with the raw plastic material before the manufacturing process begins, while dye-sub keycaps have their design printed onto the already manufactured keycap, which is usually an already molded white PBT keycap, and may not present some colors perfectly.

RGB Compatibility

If you’re looking for mechanical keyboard keycaps that have a shine-through feature (allowing RGB light to display through the keycap), then you’d want to go for either ABS or PBT double-shot keycaps. While dye-sub keycaps may not offer RGB compatibility, they make up for that with their ability to display vibrant colors and complex designs on PBT keycaps with ease.

Are these the latest trending keycaps?

Hexgears soda orange keyboard

Double-shot pudding PBT keycaps (shine-through RGB)

The advantages of these new and unique double-shot pudding PBT keycaps are:

Enhanced RGB Lighting: The translucent sides allow for vibrant, eye-catching RGB effects, as well as through the keycap’s Legends.
Durability: PBT material and double-shot molding ensure long-lasting keycaps with legends that won't fade.

Double-shot pudding PBT keycaps come with a unique pudding-like design, translucent on all sides, with double-shot PBT for keycap RGB shine-through, enhancing RGB lighting to the maximum. This is quickly setting trends with office keyboard and gaming keyboards that adds that touch of excitement and enhances the overall aesthetic to any desk or gaming setup.

In summary, these keycaps offer stunning RGB illumination and exceptional durability for a premium gaming and typing experience.

There are however Pudding keycaps without a shine-through feature, such as those for displaying creative art works, while the keys still retain a crystal-clear base for RGB enhancement.

Dye-Sublimation vs. Double-Shot Keycaps

What is the difference between a dye-sub and a double-shot keycap?

A Key Comparison - ABS vs. PBT

Are these the latest trending keycaps?

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