It isn't Helvetica.

I cannot make keycaps just look like original Model M. This photo is a good example.



Left is my test piece. The typeface is Helvetica Light. Right is original Model M's. Letter spacing differs, but it isn't serious problem. A serious problem is 'g' letter. Compare the proportion of the upper part and the lower part. It differs much, and it is a strong evidence. Original Model M's typeface of modifier / system command keys isn't Helvetica family.

So what is the typeface? I cannot find it yet. I have a book, "Rockledge's classic international typefinder." This book contains many typefaces of 80's. But I couldn't find the typeface.

Around 1980, IBM was close to Monotype. So I guess the typeface is Monotype's unpopular typeface. I guess that it is made for photo-typesetter and not converted to font yet, because it is very unpopular.

By the way, the 'R' is very Helvetica-ish.



The tail of 'a' is Helvetica-ish too, but the head isn't so Helvetica-ish. From this earmark, I've doubted Monotype Abadi Std Light, but 'R' differs.

Another earmark is very short descender. Usually these earmarks are enough to find the typeface, but I cannot yet. This is a circumstantial evidence that the typeface was unpopular.

Arrow keycap set

New item arrived!



Recently I've found my technique for making black keycaps shows much lower yield than I expected. I'm searching better masking material now.

New technology to reduce ink bleeding

Gill Sans typeface keyboard should reproduce typefaces clearly. But dye-sub causes ink bleeding and it makes thin lines bold noticeably. So I developed a new technology.



Please look at the upper image. Just one pixel width of the inside of outline is gray. This image processing reduces ink bleeding. And please look at the lower image. No trace of gray pixels! Ink bleeding fills gray pixels. Thanks to that, Ink bleeding doesn't go the outside of outline.

As you see, the fidelity isn't perfect. I tried more sophisticated image processing, but failed. Such processing can make bodies thinner, but it erases serifs.

By the way, the height of the 'Shift' is about 7pt. Please compare the bellow photo with your keyboard.

Eric Gill typeface keyboard

Do you get tired of Helvetica? How about Gill Sans?



Now on sale!

Masking isn't so easy

I'm searching a good masking tech.

Test pieces of Super Mario

Video game image is one of the best applications of black dye-sub.

Breakthrough for black caps

Just mask and dye it black.


I'll start to make black keycaps in a few days.