How to Use Switch Films to Improve Your Keyboard Sound
By UniKeys | Custom Mechanical Keyboards, Keycaps & Switches | Published: 2026-10-22
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how switch films reduce wobble and tighten housings for a cleaner, more consistent sound. This guide covers installation steps and common mistakes.
Quick Answer
Install switch films between the top and bottom housings of your switches to reduce wobble, tighten the housing, and produce a cleaner, more consistent sound.
Why Switch Films Change the Sound
Switch films fill the tiny gap between the top and bottom housings of a switch. This reduces housing wobble and stops the two halves from moving against each other during a press.
The result is a more stable keypress and a sound that is often deeper and more uniform. Films are especially useful for switches with wobbly housings or when you want to match the feel of a tighter switch like the HG Blacks.
Keep in mind that films do not change the switch's weight or actuation point. They only affect stability and sound, so if you are looking for a different feel, you may need to combine them with other mods.
Choosing the Right Film Thickness
Switch films come in different thicknesses, typically 0.15 mm or 0.30 mm. Thinner films are easier to close and work well with most switches. Thicker films can fill larger gaps but may make the housing harder to close.
If you are unsure, start with the thinner option. You can always test one switch first to see if the housing closes properly and feels stable.
TX Switch Films come in a pack of 110 pieces, which is enough to cover a typical 60% to 65% keyboard build with some spares for practice.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
- Prepare Your Workspace: Gather a switch opener, tweezers, and a small container for the switch parts. Work on a flat, clean surface with good lighting so you don't lose any pieces. Common mistake: losing the tiny stem or spring. Keep parts separated by switch.
- Open the Switch Housing: Use a switch opener to separate the top and bottom housings. If you don't have an opener, you can use two flathead screwdrivers, but be careful not to bend the metal pins. Checkpoint: Make sure the stem and spring stay in the bottom housing and don't fly out.
- Place the Film on the Bottom Housing: Align the film with the grooves on the bottom housing. The film should sit flat and cover the gap where the top housing will snap in. It should fit snugly without sticking out. Common mistake: placing the film upside down or misaligned, which prevents the housing from closing.
- Reassemble the Switch: Carefully put the top housing back on, making sure the stem and spring stay aligned. Press down evenly until you hear a click. The film should be invisible from the outside. Checkpoint: The housing should close without excessive force. If it's too tight, try a thinner film.
- Test the Switch Before Installing: Press the switch a few times to check for smooth movement and reduced wobble. If it feels scratchy or the stem sticks, open it again and adjust the film. Common mistake: skipping the test and installing a bad switch into the keyboard.
Product Facts
- TX SWITCH FILMS: TX Keyboard Switch Films come in a pack of 110 pieces and are designed for Cherry MX and MX-style switches. A single pack covers a standard build, and the MX-style compatibility means you can use them with most popular switches.
TX SWITCH FILMS
