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Frequently Asked Questions

We continuously update this space with our most commonly asked questions.

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Simply send us a message and we will help.

Shipping

How long does shipping take?

After your payment is successful, we ship your goods within 1-2 working days. Delivery usually takes 7-12 business days, though times will vary by country.

Where do you ship to?

We ship to the United Kingdom and all European Union (EU) countries except Cyprus.

Are taxes and duties included for EU orders?

Yes, for orders within the European Union, VAT is included in the price of the products. No additional taxes or fees are required.

What about shipping to the UK? Are there any additional fees?

For UK orders, VAT and customs duties may apply depending on the order value. For detailed information, please check our Shipping Policy.

Returns & Refunds

What is your return policy?

At KreativeKeys, we aim for your complete satisfaction with every purchase. That's why we offer a straightforward, 14-day no-questions-asked return policy from the day you receive your item. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, let us help you return it.

How do I initiate a return?

Initiating a return is simple. Just email us at support@kreativekeys.gg, and we’ll guide you through the process. Please be aware, you will need to cover the shipping costs for the return. We recommend using a trackable shipping service to ensure your item gets back to us safely.

Which items are eligible for returns?

Items must be unused and in their original packaging to be eligible for a return.

What if my item is defective or incorrect?

If there’s an issue with your order, such as receiving a defective, damaged, or incorrect item, please contact us immediately at support@kreativekeys.gg. We're committed to resolving any problems and ensuring you're happy with your purchase.

How does the exchange process work?

For exchanges, the fastest way is to return your current item for a refund and then place a new order for the item you want. This approach helps you get your new product quicker.

How are refunds processed?

Once we receive and inspect your return, we’ll inform you if the refund has been approved. Approved refunds are processed to your original payment method within 10 business days. Please allow some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund. If you haven't seen your refund after 15 business days, please contact us at support@kreativekeys.gg.

Choosing the Right Keycaps

What factors should I consider when selecting keycaps for my mechanical keyboard?

Selecting keycaps requires attention to the keycap material, profile, size, and stem type. It's also important to consider the aesthetics and how they match your personal preference and typing needs. Learn more here.

What are the various keycap profiles and how are they different?

Mechanical keyboard keycaps come in various profiles, each offering a different typing experience. The profile refers to the shape and height of the keycaps, which can affect the ergonomics, sound, and aesthetics of a keyboard. Here's a brief overview of the most common types:

OEM: One of the most common profiles, found on many stock keyboards. It features a sculpted design with varying heights across rows to support ergonomic typing.

Cherry: Similar to OEM but slightly shorter, offering a more comfortable typing experience for many users. Its sculpted, cylindrical tops are designed for accuracy.

SA (Spherical All): Known for its tall, spherical tops and sculpted profile, SA keycaps are reminiscent of vintage keyboards. They provide a satisfying typing feel and sound but can take time to get used to because of their height.

DSA (Dished Spherical All): Features a uniform profile with spherical tops, meaning all keycaps have the same height and shape. This profile is great for custom layouts because of its uniformity.

XDA: Similar to DSA with a flat, uniform profile, but with a larger surface area on top. The keycaps are shorter than SA, making them more accessible for a wide range of users.

How do I determine the compatibility of keycaps with different switch types?

The stem type of a switch—such as MX, Alps, or Topre—determines keycap compatibility. Most mechanical keyboards use MX stems, which support a wide variety of keycaps. For further details, consider examining the intricacies of keycap and switch compatibility.

Can you explain the differences between keycap materials like ABS and PBT?

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) keycaps are common due to their smooth texture and lower cost. However, they tend to develop shine over time with frequent use. In contrast, PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) keycaps are more resistant to shine and generally have a more durable and textured finish.

What is the importance of keycap material and profile in custom keyboard design?

The choice of keycap material influences typing feel and sound, with PBT and ABS being common options. Keycap profile affects finger ergonomics and aesthetics, which is essential for a comfortable and visually appealing custom keyboard.

How can I identify the quality and durability of keycaps for long-term use?

The quality and durability are often indicated by the keycap material and manufacturing process. Double-shot molding, for example, ensures that legends do not fade over time. High-quality PBT keycaps often outlast their ABS counterparts.

What is the significance of keycap legends transparency for backlighting?

The transparency of keycap legends is crucial for backlit keyboards, as it allows the light to shine through the legends. Translucent legends offer better visibility in low-light conditions, while opaque legends might obstruct the backlight.

What are ISO keycaps and how do they differ with language options like ISO-DE or ISO-FR?

ISO keycaps refer to keycap sets designed according to the International Organization for Standardization's layout for keyboards, which includes specific characteristics like the shape of the "Enter" key and the placement of certain punctuation symbols. The language options, such as ISO-DE for German and ISO-FR for French, indicate the inclusion of language-specific characters (e.g., ä, ö, ü, ß for German, and é, à, ç, è for French) tailored to the typing needs of those language speakers. This design accommodates the unique alphabet and punctuation requirements of different languages within the standardized ISO layout framework.

Understanding Mechanical Switches

In what ways can switches be customized for a personalized typing experience?

Switches can be customized by lubing, adding films, changing springs, or selecting different switch types, such as tactile, clicky, or linear.

What characteristics should I consider when choosing mechanical keyboard switches to ensure the best typing or gaming experience?

Actuation Force: The amount of force required to press a key down to the point where it registers a keystroke. Measured in grams (g). Lighter switches require less force, making them easier to press, whereas heavier switches might reduce accidental keystrokes but require more effort.

Actuation Point: The distance at which the switch needs to be pressed down to register a keystroke. A shorter actuation point can lead to faster typing speeds but might also result in more typos for some users.

Travel Distance: The total distance a key moves from the resting position to being fully pressed down. Shorter travel distances can lead to quicker keystrokes, while longer distances might offer a more satisfying typing experience.

Durability: Measured in the number of keystrokes a switch can endure before it starts to degrade. Higher durability switches last longer, making them a good investment for heavy users.

Sound Level: Switches can vary from quiet to loud. The choice between them depends on personal preference and the environment in which the keyboard will be used.

Operating Force vs. Bottom-out Force: Operating force is the force needed to actuate the switch, while bottom-out force is the force required to press the switch down fully. Understanding the difference can help in finding a switch that feels comfortable throughout its entire travel.

Mount Type: Switches can be plate-mounted or PCB-mounted, affecting the ease of switch replacement and the overall keyboard assembly.

Each of these characteristics plays a significant role in defining the typing or gaming experience on a mechanical keyboard. Users should consider what aspects are most important to them—whether it's speed, accuracy, comfort, or sound—and choose switches that best meet their preferences and requirements.

What are the main types of mechanical keyboard switches, and how do they differ in typing experience?

Linear Switches:
Smooth and consistent keystroke with no tactile bump.
Preferred for gaming due to their quick and direct actuation.


Tactile Switches:
Have a noticeable tactile bump mid-way through the keypress.
Ideal for typing as they provide feedback without the need for a full keystroke.

Clicky Switches:
Provide tactile feedback and a distinct click sound at the point of actuation.
Favored by typists who enjoy auditory and tactile feedback.

Building a Custom Keyboard

What are the customization possibilities for a mechanical keyboard and which level are they best suited for?

Customizing a mechanical keyboard involves several components that cater to different levels of hobbyist expertise, from beginners to advanced enthusiasts.

For Beginners:

Keycaps: The most visible and easiest part to customize. Keycaps come in various materials, profiles, and designs, allowing for aesthetic and tactile customization. Swapping keycaps requires a keycap puller and is a straightforward process to give your keyboard a new look and feel.

Switches: Switches define the keyboard's typing experience, categorized mainly into linear, tactile, and clicky types. Beginners can opt for hot-swappable PCBs, which allow for easy switch replacement without soldering, making it simple to experiment with different switch types to find the preferred typing feel.

For Intermediate Hobbyists:

PCB (Printed Circuit Board): The choice between standard, hot-swappable, and through-hole PCBs offers a range of customization options, from soldering your switches for a more personalized layout to using hot-swappable PCBs for ease of switch replacement. Intermediate hobbyists might start exploring soldering to customize their key layouts further.

  • Stabilizers: Upgrading to better-quality stabilizers, like screw-in stabilizers, can significantly improve typing sound and feel. This might involve a bit more technical effort, like clipping and lubing the stabilizers for enhanced performance.

For Advanced Hobbyists:

Case Material and Mounting Styles: Advanced customization includes selecting from various case materials (e.g., plastic, aluminum, acrylic) and mounting styles (e.g., tray mount, gasket mount) that affect the keyboard's sound, weight, and flexibility. Each material and mounting style offers a different typing experience and sound profile, with gasket mounts being favored for their dampened and comfortable typing feel.

Plate Material: The plate adds structure and affects the keyboard's overall feel and sound. Advanced hobbyists might experiment with different materials like brass, aluminum, or carbon fiber to fine-tune the rigidity and acoustic properties of their build.

PCB Design and Soldering: Designing or modifying PCBs and undertaking through-hole PCB projects where you solder not just the switches but also components like diodes, resistors, and the USB port, require a good understanding of electronics and soldering skills. This level of customization offers the most personalized and unique keyboard but is the most technically demanding.

Each level of customization requires a different set of skills, tools, and commitment. Beginners can start with simple, non-invasive mods and gradually move to more complex customizations as their confidence and skills grow. The joy of mechanical keyboard customization lies in creating a device tailored to your specific preferences in aesthetics, typing feel, and sound.

What components are essential for building a custom mechanical keyboard?

For a custom mechanical keyboard build, one must gather a printed circuit board (PCB), switches, keycaps, stabilizers, a case, a cable, mounting plate, and dampeners.

What are the differences between various mechanical keyboard sizes, and which size is best for me?

Full-Size (100%): Includes all standard keys (alphanumeric, function, navigation, and a number pad). Best suited for users who require the number pad and full functionality for data entry, gaming, and general use.

Tenkeyless (TKL, 80%): Omits the number pad but includes the function and navigation keys. Ideal for users who want more desk space without sacrificing the essential keys for gaming and general use.

75%: Compact layout that includes function keys and often a small cluster of navigation keys without separating them into different blocks. Great for those who need a compact size but still want the functionality of TKL keyboards.

65%: Removes function row on top but keeps arrow keys and a few navigation keys. Suited for users who prioritize a smaller footprint and can manage without the function row, but still require arrow and some navigation keys.

60%: Eliminates the number pad, function row, and dedicated navigation keys, focusing on the alphanumeric block. Perfect for minimalists or users who value desk space and portability, often used in gaming and typing where the function and navigation keys are less crucial.

40%: Further reduces size by removing number row, leaving only the alphabet keys, modifiers, and sometimes a few additional keys. Designed for enthusiasts who prefer extreme minimalism and are comfortable with multiple layers for different functions.

Split Keyboard: Divides the keyboard into two separate parts, allowing for more ergonomic positioning. Best for users seeking ergonomic benefits to reduce strain during long typing sessions.

How can I create a custom layout for my keyboard, and what tools do I need?

Creating a custom keyboard layout requires choosing the right size and layout that fits individual needs. Tools needed include PCB design software for layout planning and a physical case that supports the chosen layout.

What are the steps involved in assembling a keyboard from a DIY kit?

Assembling a keyboard from a DIY kit involves multiple steps: lubing switches, installing stabilizers, soldering switches to the PCB (for non-hot-swappable PCBS only), and assembling the case. These steps must be performed carefully for successful keyboard assembly.

What are the advantages of different keycap profiles for typing and gaming?

Keycap profiles, ranging from flat to contoured, affect typing experience and speed. For example, sculpted profiles may enhance typing accuracy, while lower profiles can be preferable for gaming due to quicker keystrokes.

How do stabilizers and dampeners affect the performance of a custom keyboard?

Stabilizers ensure larger keys operate smoothly and reduce key wobble, while dampeners, such as O-rings, minimize noise and create a softer landing upon key actuation. They play crucial roles in the keyboard's stability and acoustics.

What considerations should programmers keep in mind when choosing a mechanical keyboard for coding?

Programmers should consider switch type for preferred tactile feedback, key rollover for simultaneous keystrokes, layout for ergonomics and efficiency, and programmability for custom keymaps.

General Information

Why might someone prefer mechanical keyboards over other types of keyboards for everyday use?

Individuals may prefer mechanical keyboards for their durability, tactile and auditory feedback from the switches, ergonomic advantages, and the extensive personalization options they offer.

Where can I find detailed product information?

Each product on our website is accompanied by a detailed page that includes specifications, compatibility details, and user reviews. We strive to provide all the information you need to make an informed choice about our keyboards and accessories.

How can I get assistance with selecting the right product?

If you're unsure about which product is the perfect fit for your needs, our customer support team is ready to assist. Email us at support@kreativekeys.gg or use our Contact Form for personalized advice and recommendations. We're here to ensure you find exactly what you're looking for.

Privacy & Security

How do you protect my personal information?

Your privacy is a top priority for us. We use secure processing systems and adhere to strict data protection policies to safeguard your personal information. For more details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

What personal information do you collect and why?

We collect information necessary for order processing and to enhance your experience on our site. This includes name, address, payment details, and device interaction data for site optimization and analytics.

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