The buttons of some keyboards, for example, those used in POS-terminals, are equipped with removable caps, under which you can place any inscriptions or images. These overlays can be made either manually or using a printer.
Instructions
Step 1
Disconnect the keyboard, otherwise accidental key presses while manipulating the keycaps may cause malfunction of the device to which it is connected. Some keyboards can only be disconnected and connected when the machine is de-energized, while others are hot-pluggable (for example, those with a USB interface).
Step 2
Learn from the keyboard manual for how to remove the keycaps. Usually it is enough to pry it off with a screwdriver for this. It's best not to take them off at the same time - they can get lost. Remove each subsequent cap only after installing the previous one.
Step 3
If the instructions for the keyboard do not indicate what size the overlay with a lettering or pattern should be, measure the dimensions of the seating recess with a regular ruler. Too wide a picture will not fit into the recess, too narrow - when pressed, it can move and rotate diagonally.
Step 4
Choose a material for overlays with pictures or lettering. Since the outer surface of the caps is glossy, plain paper will look good too. But significantly better results can be obtained using inkjet or laser film (depending on which machine you are using). Paper squares of any desired color can be placed under this film. Handwritten lettering or drawings can be copied onto laser film using a copier. Typically, on the print side, the lines on the film are slightly silvery, and on the opposite side, the lines are deep black.
Step 5
Highlight the borders of the squares with thin lines. In all cases, print on a 1: 1 scale. Use straight scissors to cut the overlays. Having connected a keyboard instead of a POS terminal to a regular computer, be sure to check if the overlays on all keys are located correctly. Only after making sure that this is the case, proceed to use the keyboard.
