Shine-through, top-printed and side-printed are often treated as competing keycap types, but they answer different questions. Shine-through describes whether a legend lets keyboard light pass through; top-printed and side-printed describe where a legend is placed. One keycap can therefore be side-printed and shine-through, or top-printed and opaque.
What shine-through means in practice
Shine-through keycaps use translucent legend areas so light from the keyboard's RGB LEDs can pass through. RGB is colour-capable LED backlighting; it is not a separate kind of light from LED. In low light, the illuminated characters can be easier to identify and become part of the keyboard's visual effect.
The result is not identical on every keyboard. Check:
- whether the keyboard has per-key RGB LEDs;
- whether the RGB LEDs are north-facing or south-facing relative to the switch stem;
- where the translucent legend is placed;
- the keycap material, colour and construction; and
- the exact product photographs in lit and unlit conditions.
North-facing and south-facing describe the LED's physical orientation, not a universal promise of brightness. A product described as shine-through should show clearly in its photographs which legends transmit light.
The Starry Sky V5 Side-printed Shine-through PBT Keycap Set shows the lighting placement in the product photographs. Select the image to enlarge it.
Top-printed or top-legend keycaps
Top-legend keycaps place characters on the upper surface. This is the familiar, traditional position and is usually the clearest option in daylight. A top legend is not automatically shine-through: many PBT dye-sublimated sets use opaque legends for stable colour and long-lasting readability.
Browse Top Print Keycaps for current top-legend options.
Side-printed and side-engraved keycaps
Side-printed keycaps place legends on the front-facing side. From above, the keyboard looks cleaner; from the typist's seated angle, the front legends remain visible. “Side engraving” is another product term used for this front-side legend appearance.
On selected SIMPOCUBIC multilingual variants, the local-language legend is on top and the English QWERTY legend is on the front side. The English side legend can be shine-through, while the local top legend gives a direct visual reference for everyday local-language input. This gives one keycap set two visible references for switching between local-language and English input without crowding the top surface.
Printed legends help you read the layout; the operating-system input setting still controls which characters appear on screen.
Position, production method and lighting are separate
- Where is the legend? Top, front side or both.
- How is it made? Dye-sublimated, double-shot, laser marked or another method.
- Does it transmit light? Shine-through or opaque.
For example, a double-shot keycap may use translucent plastic for a shine-through legend, but double-shot construction alone does not guarantee it. Likewise, “top-printed” describes placement, not the manufacturing process.
Which style should you choose?
- Side-printed shine-through: for RGB lighting, games and low-light use, especially when you want illuminated front-side English legends.
- Opaque top-printed: for a classic daylight-first keyboard appearance and conventional top legends.
- Local top legends + English side legends: for switching between local-language and English input with both references on one set.
Before ordering
- Confirm MX-style cross stems.
- Compare the exact coverage image with your Enter, left Shift, bottom row and spacebar.
- Confirm whether your keyboard is ANSI or ISO.
- Choose the exact language variant shown in the product images.
- Check whether the selected legend is top-printed, side-printed, shine-through or opaque.
- If lighting matters, check the keyboard's north-facing or south-facing RGB LED orientation and the product lighting photographs.
Use the keyboard and keycap compatibility checklist before ordering.
Quick answers
Does SIMPOCUBIC sell shine-through keycaps?
Yes. Browse side-printed / side-engraved shine-through keycaps.
Are side-printed keycaps always shine-through?
No. Side-printed describes legend position, not light transmission. Check the selected variant and its photographs.
Can one set show English and a local layout together?
Yes. Selected multilingual variants pair local-language top legends with English QWERTY side legends. The device input setting still decides the characters on screen.