Installation Guide

How to Install and Display Your
EVA Unit-01 Artisan Keycap

Step-by-step setup guide: installation, optimal placement, RGB configuration, and long-term care.

EVA Unit-01 artisan keycap installation guide - how to install resin keycap on mechanical keyboard

You've got the keycap. Now what? Installing an artisan keycap is simple, but doing it well — choosing placement, dialing in your RGB, caring for the resin long-term — takes a bit more thought. This guide covers everything.

Before You Start: Compatibility Check

⚠️ Check Your Switch Type First

✅ Top-Mounted / Bottom-Mounted sets — Cherry MX and MX-compatible switches
✅ ROG Switch set — ASUS ROG keyboards with ROG NX switches
❌ Not compatible — Topre, Alps, or other proprietary switch formats

Tools you'll need: A wire-type keycap puller (recommended over ring-type — less chance of scratching), and a soft cloth to rest your keyboard on while working.

Remove the Existing Keycap

Position the wire loop of your puller around the keycap you're replacing (most common: Esc key). Center the wire around all four sides of the keycap base. Apply even, straight upward pressure — do not pull at an angle. The keycap releases with a soft click.

Why wire puller? Ring-type (round plastic) pullers can scratch or mar keycap surfaces. Wire pullers distribute pressure more evenly and are gentler.

Choose Your Placement

This is a three-key set — you have layout flexibility. Common placements:

Option A: Esc + F1/F2

Most popular. Main sculpt on Esc, accents on F1/F2. Visible at all times at top-left corner. Best for full-size and TKL boards.

Option B: Numpad Corner

For full-size boards. Num Lock / divide / multiply cluster. Dedicated display section, less prominent during typing.

Option C: Function Row

For 75% / 65% compact layouts. Position on rarely-pressed function keys with accent keys on neighbors.

General Rule

Place the main sculpt on a key you don't type frequently. Artisan keycaps are accent display pieces — non-standard height feels different if placed in your typing path.

Install the Artisan Keycaps

Align the keycap's stem hole over the switch stem
Apply even downward pressure with index fingers on opposite edges simultaneously
You'll hear/feel a soft click when fully seated
Do not rock or twist — straight-down pressure only
Check from the side to confirm the keycap sits evenly and is not tilted

Step 4: Optimize RGB Settings

RGB Color	Effect	Recommended
Green	Most lore-accurate — mimics Unit-01's active luminescent trim	⭐⭐⭐ Best
Purple	Dramatic monochrome glow matching the armor	⭐⭐⭐ Best
Red	Berserk mode — intense and thematic	⭐⭐ Striking
White	Bright, shows material clarity	⭐⭐ Clean
Rainbow cycle	Animated shifts through transparent sections	⭐ Dynamic

💡 Low-Light Preview Tip

Turn off room lights and observe your RGB setup in dim conditions before finalizing. The glow effect is dramatically more visible in low light — what looks subtle in a bright office can be stunning at night.

Long-Term Care

✅ Safe to Do

✅Soft dry microfiber cloth for regular dust removal
✅Compressed air for blowing debris from sculpt crevices
✅Store in padded pouch or original packaging when transporting
✅Remove with wire puller before transporting keyboard

❌ Avoid

❌Chemical cleaners — can cloud or damage resin surface and transparent sections
❌Abrasive cloths — will scratch the polished resin surface
❌Ultrasonic cleaners — vibration can cause micro-fractures in resin
❌Direct prolonged sunlight — UV exposure can yellow resin over time
❌Dropping on hard surfaces — resin is more brittle than PBT plastic under sharp impact

Frequently Asked Questions

Which key should the main sculptural keycap go on? +

Most users choose the Esc key — it's the most visible position at the top-left corner, rarely struck during normal typing, and traditionally the preferred spot for single artisan keycap display. Any low-use 1U key works well.

Can I type normally on the artisan keycap? +

You can, but it's not recommended for high-use key positions. The sculptural height is taller than standard keycaps, which creates an inconsistent feel if it's in your regular typing path. Place it on a key you rarely use.

My keyboard has zone RGB, not per-key — will it work? +

Yes. Set the zone containing the artisan keycap to green or purple. The glow effect works with any backlighting configuration, not just per-key RGB systems.

The keycap feels slightly loose on my switch — is that normal? +

A small amount of wobble is normal for artisan keycaps given the sculpt extends far above the stem. If it feels very loose, a thin strip of PTFE tape wrapped around the stem is a common solution used by the artisan keycap community.

Can I display it as a desk ornament without a keyboard? +

Yes — it can sit upright on its base on a flat surface. A small piece of museum putty underneath keeps it stable. An acrylic keycap display stand shows it at ideal viewing angle. The transparent sections still catch and scatter light beautifully even without a backlight beneath.

Ready to Add Unit-01 to Your Setup?

Limited to 20 sets per month · Three mount options · Ships worldwide

Shop the Keycap — $139.99