Quality control inspections are conducted based on the “Normal Viewing Distance” principle. Defects are evaluated under standard indoor lighting (cool white) at a distance of 30cm (approx. 12 inches) from the eye, simulating a typical desktop typing environment.
Visible Area: The top and side surfaces of the keycap visible when mounted on a keyboard.
Non-Visible Area: The bottom (underside), internal stem, and inner walls of the keycap.
PBT Material Characteristics
Our keycaps are manufactured using high-content PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate). Due to the physical properties of this material, the following are considered acceptable manufacturing characteristics, not defects:
Thermal Contraction (Warping): PBT shrinks during the cooling process. Slight curvature on long keys (e.g., Spacebar, Shift, Enter) is physically unavoidable. As long as the curvature does not affect the mechanical function (i.e., the key does not stick or bind), it is within standard tolerance.
Surface Texture: Micro-variations in the matte texture are normal results of the injection molding process.
Injection Marks
Every injection-molded plastic product requires an entry point for the liquid plastic (Gate/Sprue mark).
Location: These marks are typically located on the back wall (North facing) or the bottom edge of the keycap.
Standard: Visible marks or slight roughness at the injection point are standard manufacturing artifacts and are not considered defects, provided they are not on the top-facing surface.
Dye-Sublimation & Legends
For Dye-Sublimation keycaps, legends are infused into the plastic using high heat.
Alignment: Slight horizontal or vertical deviations (under 0.5mm) in legend placement are within tolerance for this technology.
Fuzziness: Extremely minor blurring at the very edge of characters is a characteristic of ink diffusion and is acceptable unless it affects legibility.
Categorization of “A-Stock” vs. “B-Stock”
A-Stock (Standard Retail): Free from cosmetic defects in the “Visible Area” when viewed from 30cm. May contain minor “Non-Visible Area” marks or standard manufacturing artifacts (like sprue marks).
B-Stock (Discounted/Sale): Units with minor cosmetic imperfections (e.g., small specks, slight scratches, or legend misalignment) that do not affect functionality. B-Stock items are Final Sale and non-refundable.
Critical Defects (Defects We Will Replace)
The following issues are not acceptable and qualify for a replacement or refund:
Cracked or broken stems.
Severe warping that prevents the key from rebounding (stuck keys).
Missing keycaps from a set.
Deep scratches or gouges on the top surface of the keycap.
