PBT and ABS are two common plastics used for mechanical-keyboard keycaps. Material affects texture, manufacturing options, sound, and how a set changes with use, but quality also depends on thickness, tooling, legends, and production consistency.
PBT keycaps
PBT often has a more textured surface and is commonly chosen when shoppers want a less glossy appearance. Dye sublimation is frequently used with light-colored PBT because the process transfers artwork into the surface rather than applying a raised layer on top.
ABS keycaps
ABS is widely used for both affordable and high-end sets. It can produce crisp shapes and supports manufacturing methods such as double-shot molding. With repeated use, many ABS caps develop a smoother, shinier surface.
Sound and feel
People often describe material-related sound differences, but plastic is only one variable. Keycap thickness, profile, switch, plate, case, and desk surface can all change the result. Avoid treating a material label as a guarantee of a particular sound.
Legends and light transmission
Material alone does not determine whether legends shine through. That depends on how the cap and legend are manufactured. The Strawberry Cat PBT set uses dye-sublimated artwork and is non-shine-through.
Which should you choose?
Choose based on the design, profile, texture, legend method, compatibility, and price that suit your setup. PBT is not automatically superior to every ABS set, and a well-made ABS set can be an excellent choice.
Our first set uses PBT for its textured, dye-sublimated finish. Before choosing any material, confirm fit with the compatibility guide and review the current keycaps.