GMK CYL Prussian BluePlease fill out the Interest Check Survey Form!
What is GMK CYL Prussian Blue?GMK CYL Prussian Blue is a custom keycap set to be manufactured in the Cherry profile by
GMK Electronic Design GmbH. These MX-compatible keycaps will be made from ABS plastic and doubleshot legends (with UV front-print where needed). GMK Prussian Blue uses a simple color scheme with a GMK stock white (CP) for its legends and a custom color for the base: RAL 230 20 20 (
Preußischblau).
GMK CYL Prussian Blue celebrates the languages of Poland and Germany, as the former Kingdom of Prussia intersected both of these modern nations. Likewise, I want to celebrate my own family heritage; my grandmother and generations before lived in the Prussian town of Bublitz, which is now the Polish town of Bobolice.
VendorsFor the relaunch, we will be working with an updated list of vendors. This list is not final, but we hope to have wide locale coverage.
Updates29 Aug 2024 - Relaunch of updated IC.
09 Jun 2022 - Cancellation of original GB.
01 Jun 2022 - Start of original GB.
09 May 2022 - Updated international kit, added vendor list, and announced GB date.
11 Mar 2022 - Updated spacebar kitting to include both types of 6u bar; removed 1.75u bars.
04 Mar 2022 - Submitted for quotes via primary US vendor.
Additional BackgroundMore
Prussian Blue, the chemicalPrussian Blue is a
chemical compound originally discovered in Berlin at the turn of the 18th century. It has been used in a variety of settings from art (Japanese woodblock painting) to architecture (a traditional blueprint dye) to medicine (a treatment for heavy metal poisoning).
Prussian Blue was also used for nearly two centuries to dye the military uniforms of the Kingdom of Prussia. The RAL standard and this keyset draw from this darker variant, and GMK Prussian Blue’s kitting takes further inspiration from the history of the Kingdom of Prussia itself.
The Kingdom of PrussiaThe
Kingdom of Prussia was established circa 1701 and existed until approximately 1918. Its borders changed frequently, with many of its parts split into separate enclaves and exclaves. Though it was ruled by a German-speaking monarchy, its reality was far more diverse, including regions of Germans, Poles, Lithuanians, and Silesians. For most of its existence, however, the majority of Prussian territory lay within the current borders of Germany and Poland.
Base KitThe
Base Kit will support both standard US ANSI and the modern Polish Programmers’ keyboard localizations. This kit provides support for 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, Alice, and 1800 layouts as well as “4-key” physical support for many 40% layouts.
More details about the base kitChild Kits
Compatibility kit. Render by Beesley (Full Size)
German Macros & Mods. Render by Beesley (Full Size)
NorDEUK Kit. Render by Beesley (Full Size)The
Compatibility Kit kit provides additional size and legend compatibility beyond what is included in the base kit, including a 6u spacebar, 1.5u System keys, numpad equals, more 40s support, et cetera. This kit is the one most likely to change pending user feedback. Please note in the
survey if there are specific keys you wish to be added to this kit.
The
German Macros & Mods kit provides macro column keys with legends based on the classic
Cherry G80-2551 keyboard. When combined with the base and NorDEUK kits, it provides the keys necessary to recreate several full German-language keyboard layouts (like ANSI-DE and HHKB-DE), similar to the
German Base Kit previously offered in 2022.
The
NorDEUK Kit provides support for German, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and UK/Irish localizations. It follows a new international kitting standard created in collaboration between GMK and vendors.
In addition to the kits pictured above, we are considering producing an
ESFR Language Pack for French AZERTY and European Spanish localization. The inclusion of this kit is tentative; if offered, it will only be available through Eloquent Clicks. (
ESFR Kit Diagram)
Board RendersFull resolution renders are available on the
GMK CYL Prussian Blue Home Page.
All 2024 renders provided by Beesley.
Renders may contain inaccuracies and should not be considered the final authority on the appearance of the caps.
W1AT by GEONWORKS. 6500K and 5400K lighting. Requires Base, NorDEUK, and German Macros & Mods kits.
MB-44 by Melonbred. 6500K and 5400K lighting. Polish alpha layout, requires base kit only.FURTHER BOARD RENDERS COMING SOONMore
GMK Prussian Blue will include one new custom color (RAL 230 20 20). Its legends will be GMK stock white CP. Below is a diagram that compares the estimated RGB hex colors of several prior and upcoming GMK and Signature Plastics keysets with those of GMK Prussian Blue.
Full SizeThanks to my amazing wife, who has remained supportive even as my home office fills with more keyboards, keycaps, color standards, and cardboard boxes.
Thanks to my adorable daughter, who brings me such joy.
Thanks to Beesley for the beautiful updated renders.
Thanks to Afresh & konstantin for their immense help with getting the ogoneks right.
Thanks to Manzel for the original 2022 renders.
Thanks to hunghingdailo, who gifted me with a brilliant logo.
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