How to Choose Keycaps for Fightsticks & Leverless: PBT Dye-Sublimation vs ABS
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How to Choose Keycaps for Fightsticks & Leverless Controllers: PBT Dye-Sublimation vs ABS
Keycaps are the parts your fingertips touch all day. Just changing the material and printing method noticeably changes the feel, durability, and appearance. If you're weighing up "dye-sublimation keycaps," "PBT keycaps," and "ABS keycaps," this guide explains the difference between PBT and ABS, how printing methods differ, and how to pick the right size—based on actual product specs.
PBT vs ABS: The Difference in Keycap Materials
The two main resin materials for keycaps are PBT and ABS. Neither is simply better than the other—they differ in the direction of feel and maintenance they offer.
PBT: Resists Oil, Keeps Its Feel for a Long Time
PBT is high in hardness and doesn't absorb oil easily, so even after long use it resists the glossy "oil shine." It's hard to scratch and resists wear even from fingernails or long bursts of rapid input, making it a long-lived material. The surface has a fine matte texture that feels dry and non-slippery, and that feel barely changes even over long-term use. It suits people who want to keep that dry texture for a long time or who put their controller through heavy rapid-input use.
ABS: Lightweight, With Rich Colors and Grip
ABS is inherently lightweight and high in hardness, effectively resisting friction and scratches. Its reinforced satin finish provides excellent anti-slip performance while achieving a dry, non-sticky feel, and suppresses surface shine even after long use. You can freely combine from a rich range of color variations, and distinguishing each button's function by color raises both visual appeal and operational memorability at once. It suits people who enjoy coordinating colors.
Dye-Sublimation vs Surface Printing: How the Pattern Goes On
Dye-Sublimation Is Sharp and Resists Fading
Dye-sublimation can reproduce high-resolution designs and is visually finer than laser engraving or silk printing. It adheres strongly to PBT keycaps, so under normal use it's unlikely to peel or fade, greatly improving durability.
Its Strength: It Doesn't Compromise the Feel
Dye-sublimation pairs well with PBT's matte texture, so it doesn't create the bumps or stickiness that coating-type prints can. The pattern looks sharp, yet the key surface feel is not compromised at all, always maintaining a dry, comfortable touch. A clean print that doesn't sacrifice the feel—that's the reason to choose dye-sublimation.
Material × Characteristics Quick Reference: Which Suits You?
| Comparison | PBT (Dye-Sublimation) | ABS (Reinforced Satin Finish) |
|---|---|---|
| Oil / Shine | Absorbs oil poorly, resists oil shine | Reinforced satin finish suppresses shine |
| Wear resistance | Hard to scratch, strong against rapid input, long life | High hardness, resists friction and scratches |
| Texture | Fine matte, dry, changes little over time | Dry and non-sticky, with anti-slip effect |
| Printing / Look | Sharp and fine dye-sub, resists fading | Rich colors for free color coordination |
| Best for | People who want to keep the feel long / heavy users | People who enjoy lightness and color customization |
How to Choose the Size: 24mm vs 30mm—Check the Inner Diameter
Size is where keycap choices go wrong most often. Buttons for fightsticks and leverless controllers generally come in two mounting-hole sizes: 24mm (φ24mm) and 30mm (φ30mm). You need to choose a keycap whose inner diameter matches the button diameter you're fitting, and note that the inner diameter differs slightly by material.
| Button Type | PBT Dye-Sub Keycap Inner Diameter | ABS Keycap Inner Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| For 24mm buttons | Inner diameter 20.1mm | Inner diameter 20.5mm |
| For 30mm buttons | Inner diameter 25.1mm | Inner diameter 25.5mm |
The keycap thickness is 6.3mm for both PBT and ABS. Our button bodies have mounting-hole sizes of φ24mm / φ30mm, support a mounting plate thickness of up to 6mm, and use 2.8mm faston terminals. Matching the sizes of your buttons and keycaps makes for a worry-free choice.
A Current Model That Ships With PBT Dye-Sublimation Keycaps
If you want to start out with PBT dye-sublimation keycaps, the M3Pro is a useful reference. The M3Pro comes standard with all-new PBT dye-sublimation keycaps, so you can enjoy its high oil resistance, low oil shine, and dry touch from the very start. The body uses a CNC precision aluminum alloy top cover and, at 300×200×14mm and about 1,100g, is slim and lightweight.
Notes on Replacing Keycaps
Before purchasing, be sure to measure your controller's button hole size. Counting how many 24mm and 30mm buttons are used, and where, lets you choose the right inner diameter and quantity accurately. Our keycaps are also sold individually, so if you need 16, for example, you can select "16" as the quantity. If you'd like a specific set configuration, please contact us before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. PBT or ABS—which should a first-timer choose?
A. If you want to minimize changes in feel and use them for a long time, or you put them through heavy rapid input, PBT dye-sublimation is recommended. If you want lightness and to coordinate colors to your taste from a rich palette, ABS suits you. Both are high in hardness and resistant to scratches.
Q. Will the dye-sublimation legends wear off over time?
A. Dye-sublimation adheres strongly to PBT, so under normal use it's unlikely to peel or fade, and it's highly durable.
Q. Should I buy 24mm or 30mm keycaps?
A. First, measure your controller's button holes (φ24mm or φ30mm). For 24mm buttons choose inner diameter 20.1mm for PBT or 20.5mm for ABS; for 30mm buttons choose 25.1mm for PBT or 25.5mm for ABS.
Q. Can I buy just the number I need?
A. Yes—they're sold individually, so you can choose the quantity you need. If you need 16, select "16" as the quantity.
Q. Is there a model that ships with dye-sublimation keycaps already on?
A. Yes. The M3Pro comes standard with all-new PBT dye-sublimation keycaps.
Summary
PBT dye-sublimation is "low oil shine, a feel that lasts, sharp printing that resists fading"—for people who value texture and durability. ABS reinforced satin finish is "lightweight, with rich colors you can freely combine"—for people who enjoy customization. Whichever you choose, the first step to a keycap choice that doesn't go wrong is to measure your button hole size and pick the inner diameter that matches 24mm / 30mm.