In the dynamic world of mechanical keyboards and gaming peripherals, side-printed keycaps have emerged as a transformative trend, capturing the attention of gamers, typists, and design enthusiasts alike. Once a niche customization choice, these keycaps—featuring legends printed on the side rather than the top—have surged in popularity due to their sleek aesthetic, enhanced durability, and ability to complement modern RGB-lit setups. Driven by communities on Reddit, Discord, and Instagram, where minimalist desk setups and personalized gaming gear take center stage, side-printed keycaps are no longer just an accessory but a statement of style and functionality. 

What are Side-Printed Keycaps?

Side-printed keycaps are a modern twist on traditional mechanical keyboard customization for the best mechanical keyboard setups, featuring legends (letters, numbers, or symbols) printed on the side edges of the keycap rather than the top surface. This design prioritizes a clean, minimalist aesthetic by keeping the top of the keycap smooth and uncluttered, while still maintaining legibility from the typist’s natural viewing angle. Unlike top-printed keycaps, where legends can wear down over time due to finger friction or become obscured by backlighting, side-printed legends are protected from direct contact and enhance the visual impact of RGB lighting setups—allowing vibrant colors to shine through the top without interference.
Most side-printed keycaps are crafted from two primary materials: PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). PBT is the premium choice, known for its durability, resistance to shine from oils, and ability to retain sharp, crisp prints for years. ABS, while more affordable, is softer and prone to wear, making it a better fit for casual users or budget builds. Both materials are compatible with standard Cherry MX-style switches, ensuring easy installation across most mechanical keyboards, from compact 60% layouts to full-size tenkeyless models.
This design appeals to anyone seeking a balance of style and practicality—gamers who want their best gaming keyboards to stand out with vibrant RGB lighting, typists who prefer a smooth tactile experience on premium setups, and designers drawn to the sleek, modern look of best gaming keyboards elevated by side-printed customization. By shifting legends to the side, these keycaps transform a functional component of best gaming keyboards into a canvas for personalization, whether through bold, contrasting colors, subtle monochrome schemes, or intricate artisan designs tailored for competitive and creative gamers alike.

Side-Printed Keycaps advantage

Side-printed keycaps offer a trifecta of benefits that make them a standout choice for mechanical keyboard users: aesthetic appeal, functional superiority, and long-lasting durability.
Visually, their smooth, unmarked top surfaces create a sleek, minimalist look that appeals to modern design sensibilities, whether paired with a monochromatic setup or a vibrant RGB-lit keyboard. By moving legends to the side, they eliminate the cluttered appearance of traditional top-printed keycaps, allowing the keyboard’s architecture—like sculpted key profiles or premium case materials—to take center stage. This design also enhances RGB backlighting effects: light diffuses evenly across the top surface without being broken up by printed legends, creating a more immersive, radiant glow that’s especially striking in dark environments.
Functionally, side-printed keycaps are a must-have upgrade for the best mechanical keyboard, excelling in both durability and usability. Legends printed on the side are shielded from direct finger contact, drastically reducing wear and tear compared to top-printed designs, which often fade or shine over time from friction. Premium PBT material, a common choice for side-printed sets, further boosts longevity; it resists oil buildup, maintains its texture for years, and keeps prints sharp even after heavy use. For typists and gamers, the smooth top surface offers a streamlined tactile experience on the best mechanical keyboard, reducing resistance during key presses and promoting faster, more fluid typing—an ergonomic edge that matters during marathon gaming sessions or long writing tasks.
Legibility is another key advantage: from the natural typing angle, side legends are just as easy to read as top-printed ones, if not more so, especially when backlit. This makes them ideal for users who rely on their keyboard in low-light settings, such as late-night gamers or remote workers burning the midnight oil. Plus, the design opens the door to creative customization: manufacturers and artisans now offer side-printed keycaps in endless colors, fonts, and themes, letting users match their keyboard to their personal style, gaming setup, or even favorite esports team.

Explore VGN side-printed keycaps keyboard

Upgrade your setup with VGN’s side-printed keycaps keyboards, the best gaming keyboards: VGN A75, VGN V87, and VGN V98 Pro V2. Built for gamers and creators, these models—recognized as best gaming keyboards—blend sleek minimalist design with durable PBT keycaps, resisting wear and oil for long-lasting clarity. Side-printed legends keep tops smooth for immersive RGB backlighting, whether you’re dominating in gaming marathons or typing with precision.
Ergonomic benefits include reduced friction for faster keystrokes, available in compact 75% (VGN A75), tenkeyless (VGN V87), and full-size (VGN V98 Pro V2) layouts—all engineered to rank among the best gaming keyboards. No compromise on style or performance—shop VGN today and elevate your keyboard game on the best gaming keyboards built for victory.

FAQ About Side-Printed Keycaps

Q: Are they compatible with my keyboard?

A: Yes, They work with standard layouts like full-size, TKL, or 60%—just check for rare key compatibility (e.g., ISO Enter).

Q: Harder to read than top-printed?

A: No. Side legends align with your natural typing angle, making them easy to read—especially with RGB backlighting, which highlights them without obstruction.

Q: Do they wear out faster?

A: Actually, longer-lasting: Side prints avoid finger friction, and PBT material (common in sets) resists shine and fading better than top-printed ABS.

Q: Good for touch typists?

A: Yes! Smooth tops reduce tactile distractions, promoting faster, fluid typing—ideal for gamers, writers, or anyone relying on muscle memory.

Q: PBT vs. ABS: Which to choose?

A: PBT: Durable, premium feel (best for heavy use).
ABS: Budget-friendly, vibrant colors (great for casual setups).