2026 Ultimate Guide to Making Your Own Keycaps: Easy Steps, Tools & Materials with UV Resin

Hello, I’m Itsuki (@saigalog), who is hooked on creating original keycaps.

I’ve actually wanted to try making something with resin for a while, but I couldn’t think of exactly what to make, so I kept putting it off.

While running this gadget blog, I encountered a high-end keyboard and learned to appreciate its quality and the joy of customization.

Also, with Cherry MX switch keycaps, there are many commercially available options, and the world of handmade keycaps focused on resin opens up.

However, for beginners in resin crafting, the initial hurdles are often “not knowing what to prepare” and “not knowing the steps to make them.”

Of course, I faced the same issues, and if you’re reading this article now, you probably do too.

Therefore, in this article, as a gadget blogger and original keycap creator, I will thoroughly explain the items to prepare and the concrete steps.

Once you have the necessary items, this guide will let you jump right into the world of DIY keycaps, so be sure to read to the end!

Tools Needed for DIY Keycaps

To make DIY keycaps with UV resin, you first need to gather the necessary tools.

Women may already have some from makeup or nail art, but men might find many of the items unfamiliar, so collecting them could be a bit challenging.

I will introduce the tools I actually use and include links to Amazon and other e-commerce sites so you can gather what you need.

PVC Gloves

To make DIY keycaps with UV resin, first prepare PVC gloves.

Since touching resin with bare hands may cause resin allergies, it might seem a bit bothersome, but always wear PVC gloves when working.

Scrap Paper & Cutting Mat

During resin work, your desk will inevitably get messy, so lay down scrap paper and work on top of it.

Silicone Mat

A silicone mat isn’t essential for resin work, but it’s an excellent surface for your workspace.

UV Light

A UV light is indispensable for curing resin.

The back looks like this, with UV light coming from six sources.

It’s foldable, making it compact, and with a stand, you can place items underneath for curing.

Mold

A mold to shape the keycap is also essential.

Toothpicks (Bamboo Sticks)

Toothpicks or bamboo sticks are also must-have tools for DIY keycaps with resin.

Nippers

I had a nipper already, but I got a new one when I started making keycaps with resin.

This is because deburring is crucial for the quality of keycaps, and after making several, I realized it’s best to have a sharp tool.

It’s a collaboration model with “Senasuke,” a YouTuber and brush painter, and I was amazed by the fine blade tip and excellent sharpness compared to my previous nippers.

Sandpaper

Sandpaper from a 100-yen shop like Daiso is sufficient.

For rough areas, I use #240–400, and for finishing, I use #1000.

Nail File

A nail file isn’t essential, but it’s handy to have.

Tweezers

Tweezers are essential not just for keycap making, but for all handmade work.

Brushes

Brushes are convenient for handling resin and especially useful when applying a topcoat.

Resin Cleaner

Resin cleaner is used for cleaning tools and for the final finishing of keycaps.

Tissues & Kitchen Paper

Tissues and kitchen paper are not essential, but it’s useful to have them on hand.

Small Round Cases

Small round cases are repurposed from containers typically used for cream or powder cosmetics.

The compact round shape with a lid makes it easy to store various items.

If you want to decorate keycaps with glitter, storing it in small round cases is convenient.

Keyboard

Having a keyboard allows you to check if the keycaps you made actually work properly.

When sharing photos or selling keycaps, having images with them installed makes it easier for others to visualize, so it’s recommended.

If the keyboard has a backlight, light passes through clear keycaps and creates a variety of visual effects.

Materials Needed for DIY Keycaps

Besides tools, you’ll need materials to make keycaps.

You can make keycaps with just resin, but if you want to add color, decorations, or improve appearance, you need to gather the appropriate materials.

Here are the materials I use, with links to Amazon and other e-commerce sites so you can get what you need.

UV Resin

Of course, nothing can start without UV resin.

Resin Pigments

With resin pigments, you can create colorful keycaps and dramatically expand your creative possibilities.

Glitter (Powder, Die-cut, Hologram)

If you want sparkling keycaps, glitter is recommended.

Decoration Parts

With decoration parts such as beads, you can make your keycaps more visually appealing.

Topcoat

Topcoat is used for the final finishing of keycaps.

Steps to Make DIY Keycaps

The finished keycaps look like this, and they look especially beautiful and photogenic when light hits them.

Here are some of the keycaps I have made so far.

Summary of DIY Keycap Making

This article covered “【2026】Complete Guide to DIY Keycap Making! Anyone can easily make them once you have the tools and materials [UV Resin]”.

There are many types of tools and materials needed, and it can be overwhelming at first, but once you have everything ready, you can fully immerse yourself in making.

Consumables can be replenished as needed, and you can use insights from the making process to upgrade to better tools and materials.

If you keep making them steadily, it might not be a dream to one day become a popular creator!