OUR MILESTONE
The act of fashioning an artisan keycap is within reach, yet the task of fabricating thousands of such keycaps with the pinnacle of craftsmanship and bringing them to fruition is truly a remarkable accomplishment. We do not merely regard our keycaps as commonplace products; rather, they represent an entire, intricate microcosm. We pour our very essence, our unbridled passion, into these masterful creations. The more widely accessible and attainable these keycaps become to the general populace, the greater our sense of gratification. Come and partake in this creative session and uncover a realm of unforeseen wonders!
CONCEPT
The most inspiring phase is the Design stage. Surprisingly, inspirations strike from all directions, from the beautiful landscapes we witnessed during travels to the random conversations with strangers or even the late-night music we listen to. We breathe, think, or even daydream with designs, drafts and discussions until the ultimate design is perfected. Some designs require a few weeks. Others demand half a year, or even longer to be thoroughly completed in design. We also require time to refine our own skills. When a design is meticulously crafted and feasible to execute, we will move on to the subsequent step: the 3D Modelling process.
3D MODELING
Silkeycap has made a name for itself with designs of staggering complexity and a profusion of minute details. Our digital sculpting methodology transcends the constraints of conventional 3D modelling and technical blueprints. We are, in essence, no different from the age-old traditional sculptors. Creativity, passion, and the power of imagination are the lifeblood of our work. We are a band of visionaries, fuelled by copious amounts of energy drinks, losing ourselves in the diminutive universe we strive to bring to life.Throughout this creative odyssey, a multitude of test 3D prints are par for the course. 3D modelling, for us, is an arduous and exacting sculpting expedition. In the throes of inspiration, we tenaciously pursue our creative inklings for hours on end. Should the end result fall short of our expectations, we retrace our steps, making iterative adjustments and refinements to the design until it meets with our collective approval.
ORIGINAL PART PERFECTING
The Original Part serves as the cornerstone for silicone mould fabrication. Once the printing concludes, it embarks on a journey through the Quality Control regimen. This entails meticulously gauging the dimensions of the Original Part and scrupulously scrutinizing surface imperfections such as 3D printing striations. This particular phase demands an extensive array of painstaking handcrafting procedures to meticulously hone those infinitesimal details, thereby culminating in an outcome of the utmost perfection. At times, it necessitates toiling away with beads of perspiration trickling down (while tidying up the 3D print), perhaps even enduring minor cuts and abrasions, all while guzzling copious amounts of energy drinks... all in the pursuit of that flawless final 3D print.
MOULD MAKING
For every individual artisan keycap design, a dedicated mould set is essential. Such a set typically comprises around two to three distinct parts. In order to ensure the high-quality output from these mould sets, we limit their usage to a maximum of three to five times. This is due to the fact that the numerous intricate details cause the moulds to gradually deteriorate. During the entire production process, we continuously fabricate new mould sets. Rest assured, we also engage in recycling the old moulds to create new ones, thereby preventing any unnecessary waste of silicone and safeguarding the environment.
RESIN CASTING
Simultaneously, we commence the task of preparing the resin mixture with the appropriate color in the precise ratio. This step is of utmost significance. Given the climatic conditions in Vietnam, even a minuscule deviation in the mixture ratio could lead to the keycap becoming brittle or failing to cure completely. This stage is not for the timid or easily daunted, as a single trifling error might render all our prior efforts futile and consign them to the recycling resin bin. Eventually, when the resin mixture is poured into the silicone mould, we proceed with the procedures of eliminating air bubbles and patiently await the resin to set, which typically takes around a day. Subsequently, we extract the resin parts from the moulds, thereby making them primed and prepared for the coloring processes.
PAINTING
The painting step is the one we've all been anticipating with bated breath. It demands from the artisan an acute aesthetic sensibility and a creative prowess in technique. We go to great lengths, even customizing our tools to actualize the envisioned colorways. Take, for instance, when it comes to painting the most minute details that could easily vanish into the crevices of a desk. We modify brushes by painstakingly grinding their tips until they possess the perfect degree of thinness and suppleness.
ASSEMBLY
At this juncture, the colored resin parts, which are typically of a diminutive size, are assembled by hand. Despite their small stature, any incorrect assembly can have a significant impact on the cover casting. Consequently, the artisan responsible for this task must possess a high level of skill and a meticulous attention to detail.A word of caution: The minute details are highly prone to getting lost. If we are not in a state of utmost concentration, we could potentially waste hours searching for tiny dragon wings, Santa's bags, or even fish fins on the floor.
SURFACE FINISHING
The artisan keycap's flawlessly smooth and crystal-clear surface is the benchmark that the Silkeycap maintain via numerous stages of painstaking hand sanding and polishing, which ultimately determines the keycap's form. This process calls for an elevated degree of artisanship, along with copious amounts of patience and exactitude.An interesting yet somewhat unnerving tidbit: For our inaugural order, the entire factory toiled overtime to buff every keycap. Back then, our techniques were rather limited (not as refined and expert as they are presently), so we were compelled to expend time rectifying all the flaws. Regrettably, the due date was the following morning. Thus, we remained on our feet throughout the night, regaling each other with ghost stories to stave off sleep and straining every nerve to ensure timely delivery.
QUALITY CHECKING
Prior to being dispatched and reaching the customer, every artisan keycap emerging from the Silkeycap is obligated to surmount two essential trials at this juncture. Each keycap must exhibit a faultless transparency, with only a negligible quantity of bubbles or dust, and must adhere precisely to the conceptual design in both color and shape. Moreover, the keycap has to fit snugly and function properly when affixed to a diverse range of keyboards (as many as can be procured), permitting only the slightest margin of error, such as a minuscule shrinkage of the keycap stem.A rather agonizing revelation: Quite frequently, we were compelled to discard 50 percent or even 80 percent of the keycaps at this extremely final stage, solely to guarantee that the highest-quality keycaps are presented to the customer.Although the process might seem excruciating, it is, in fact, an absolute delight. Now, it is your moment to unwrap these magnificent keycaps.