Keyboard & Co. GMK (COMPLETE)

[swimmingbird]

Should take about 1 month with the go ahead!

Oh that's awesome! 1 month is quite fast, can't wait!

That's assuming that the sample is good this time

[axtran]

Worth it for custom colors, IMO. Happier than everyone just rehashing beige a billion times with like a few mods here and there.

[slushi]

Sadly I was gone for a while from GH. I remembered I was watching the IC. Had no idea this went past pre-order phase already. If anyone is interested in giving up their pre-order (if that is even allowed), Let me know. I would love to snag this set.

[Baddy126]

Sadly I was gone for a while from GH. I remembered I was watching the IC. Had no idea this went past pre-order phase already. If anyone is interested in giving up their pre-order (if that is even allowed), Let me know. I would love to snag this set.

I believe there will definitely be extras on originative once it's out

[switchnollie]

The new samples are on their way to me from Sherry for review

Should be here by the end of the week or early next.

[henz]

The new samples are on their way to me from Sherry for review

Should be here by the end of the week or early next.

Awesome news!

[Baddy126]

The new samples are on their way to me from Sherry for review

Should be here by the end of the week or early next.

YESSSS

[switchnollie]

Took a couple pictures of the new samples, not too happy with the turnout as the gray almost looks the same as round 1 which is more of an off white in person.

Best route now may be to just use a nice gray that already exists.
I'll wait for opinions.

Will take some more tomorrow to try & show off the green more.
Don't really have any white lighting so I had to try & fix the jpeg post since I can't shoot raw at the moment.
It does look a bit pale, not sure if that's good or bad though.

[TerryMathews]

The fact that the color is the same and that means another delay is very disappointing.

Is 2B too dark?

[[Lewynlight]]

Took a couple pictures of the new samples, not too happy with the turnout as the gray almost looks the same as round 1 which is more of an off white in person.

Show Image

Best route now may be to just use a nice gray that already exists.
I'll wait for opinions.

Will take some more tomorrow to try & show off the green more.
Don't really have any white lighting so I had to try & fix the jpeg post since I can't shoot raw at the moment.
It does look a bit pale, not sure if that's good or bad though.

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uh... that color is the same, and i'm seeing this from a calibrated monitor as well.

[inosint]

I would rather wait and get the color right than settle for off-white or the wrong gray

[Baddy126]

trolled by gmk... 

[swimmingbird]

GMK seriously needs to hurry up with getting the colours right.

We have been over 4 months since the group buy ended and have not entered production

[oatmicro]

GMK are you kidding me?

[shower_king]

i will wait patiently. i know the custom color sample would need more time to correct the real keycap's color. This would cause unexpected delay to some extent.

[nathanrosspowell]

Took a couple pictures of the new samples, not too happy with the turnout as the gray almost looks the same as round 1 which is more of an off white in person.

Show Image

Best route now may be to just use a nice gray that already exists.
I'll wait for opinions.

Will take some more tomorrow to try & show off the green more.
Don't really have any white lighting so I had to try & fix the jpeg post since I can't shoot raw at the moment.
It does look a bit pale, not sure if that's good or bad though.

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Got a few questions about the process here. Sorry if it sounds harsh. I'm just interested in whats going on behind the scenes as from my side of the computer screen I can't draw any opinions on the quality of the match.



This mock up and on the GB page on KBDIST (which has been taken down) have the exact pantone color codes listed.

What specification for color was given to GMK for them to work against? Do you know if they have pantone color chart to work against? I would assume so. If not, was it ever suggested that we buy them the specific color chips/cards?

From the two samples that have come in I haven't seen them placed against a pantone color card. How are the mistakes in color being measured/quantified, personal eyeballing of color? Against which colors  and under what lighting? How are these inaccuracies being communicated with GMK?

How would a stock grey from GMK be chosen? Do Originative have the GMK color ring and pantone colors? I can't see how a stock color can be a closer match than one of the two current samples. Would people get a chance for a refund if the colors change from what was sold in the GB?

One worry I have is that when the colors are finalised that the contrast is still really poor. Is there no way to get a double shot sample made of grey on turquoise?

What is the cost of getting samples? In the future is this something that could be done at the IC phase? I'm guessing a deposit has to be made before GMK are willing to manufacture the custom colors?

Finally, it's my personal preference to wait until the colors from the original mock up are done right. Delays happen and as long as there is constant communication people are happy to wait. 

[redbanshee]

my vote is for 2M or GR1

[Vigrith]

Unfortunate that we got trolled by GMK. I'm okay with waiting a reasonable amount of time, I rather have it done well than fast, but when they take like 2 months to ship over like 2 caps for a sample of a custom colour suddenly waiting becomes a lot less appealing.

Judging by the colours provided by Redbanshee and as someone who owns the shoes I'd say GR1 is pretty accurate - of course it's hard to tell from a picture and I wouldn't put my absolute word in on that but it looks to be a close match.

As said, if samples can make their way there in a timely fashion this time around, then we're good. Else (or either way) maybe give GR1 a try, 2M might be okay too but looks too muted in my opinion.

[dead_pixel_design]

My vote is take as long as it takes to get the right look by your standard as the creator, I don't mind waiting, I will start to get impatient at about the 2 year mark, so really, don't rush and don't worry about it.

[chuckdee]

My vote is take as long as it takes to get the right look by your standard as the creator, I don't mind waiting, I will start to get impatient at about the 2 year mark, so really, don't rush and don't worry about it.

+1

[poolside]

I also don't mind waiting until the colors are what they are supposed to be. Better done right than sorry!

[sherryton]

The fact that the color is the same and that means another delay is very disappointing.

Is 2B too dark?

2B is too dark.

The goal here isn't actually grey, but it's like a silver looking color. I can attest to all the samples I have with GMK that none of these match the actual color we need.

Jon and I are extremely sorry for the delay and how the samples came out. We definitely tried to provide a new color. I think it's best if we get a physical object instead of colors through the monitor-calibration.

[swimmingbird]

I'm happy to wait for the colours to be right but the process needs to hurry up a bit....

Right now if it takes 2 weeks for samples just to be shipped (excluding manufacture) we could be in for potentially months more of delay

Nathan raises some important questions as well - GMK should really be sending a doubleshot sample of the custom colours.
It would be a huge shame if we went through all this wait getting the colours right only to find out that they don't work well when doubleshot (whether that is contrast or colour mixing)

[shower_king]

Took a couple pictures of the new samples, not too happy with the turnout as the gray almost looks the same as round 1 which is more of an off white in person.

Show Image

Best route now may be to just use a nice gray that already exists.
I'll wait for opinions.

Will take some more tomorrow to try & show off the green more.
Don't really have any white lighting so I had to try & fix the jpeg post since I can't shoot raw at the moment.
It does look a bit pale, not sure if that's good or bad though.

Show Image

Show Image

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Got a few questions about the process here. Sorry if it sounds harsh. I'm just interested in whats going on behind the scenes as from my side of the computer screen I can't draw any opinions on the quality of the match.

Show Image

This mock up and on the GB page on KBDIST (which has been taken down) have the exact pantone color codes listed.

What specification for color was given to GMK for them to work against? Do you know if they have pantone color chart to work against? I would assume so. If not, was it ever suggested that we buy them the specific color chips/cards?

From the two samples that have come in I haven't seen them placed against a pantone color card. How are the mistakes in color being measured/quantified, personal eyeballing of color? Against which colors  and under what lighting? How are these inaccuracies being communicated with GMK?

How would a stock grey from GMK be chosen? Do Originative have the GMK color ring and pantone colors? I can't see how a stock color can be a closer match than one of the two current samples. Would people get a chance for a refund if the colors change from what was sold in the GB?

One worry I have is that when the colors are finalised that the contrast is still really poor. Is there no way to get a double shot sample made of grey on turquoise?

What is the cost of getting samples? In the future is this something that could be done at the IC phase? I'm guessing a deposit has to be made before GMK are willing to manufacture the custom colors?

Finally, it's my personal preference to wait until the colors from the original mock up are done right. Delays happen and as long as there is constant communication people are happy to wait.  :thumb:

hi , i fully appreciate your worry. Due to some experience on custom color of GMK GB, i think i could explain some aspects on GMK'S custom color from my standpoint.

For example Pantone 317U, i give GMK the color's RGB Values(R:174, G:233, B:232), they could decide the right color. Then GMK will give the 3D renders of this color, but they create the render with pantone 317U at HEX/HMTL:AEE9E8. HEX is another kind description of RGB Values.
When done double shot keycaps, GMK would choose the different (including right and not-so-right) mixed proportion of Pantone 317U at the RGB values. Even at the same RGB Values, different mixed proportion of ABS materials could cause different vision such as difference between new and old samples.
Thus making the custom color keycaps' color to meet the sheme of the desiger is very complex and time-consuming.

As for the taking samples for correct color of keycaps, GMK would provide samples for those GBs which have paid already. Thus, there is slim possibility to get samples at IC stage.However , GMK Yuri is exception. Tombery has got samples at IC

[Vigrith]

pls no GMK troll this time around

[Baddy126]

pls no GMK troll this time around

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Someone send this shoe to GMK so they can't have an excuse to troll us with wrong colors  :-X :-[

[nathanrosspowell]

Took a couple pictures of the new samples, not too happy with the turnout as the gray almost looks the same as round 1 which is more of an off white in person.

Show Image

Best route now may be to just use a nice gray that already exists.
I'll wait for opinions.

Will take some more tomorrow to try & show off the green more.
Don't really have any white lighting so I had to try & fix the jpeg post since I can't shoot raw at the moment.
It does look a bit pale, not sure if that's good or bad though.

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Got a few questions about the process here. Sorry if it sounds harsh. I'm just interested in whats going on behind the scenes as from my side of the computer screen I can't draw any opinions on the quality of the match.

Show Image

This mock up and on the GB page on KBDIST (which has been taken down) have the exact pantone color codes listed.

What specification for color was given to GMK for them to work against? Do you know if they have pantone color chart to work against? I would assume so. If not, was it ever suggested that we buy them the specific color chips/cards?

From the two samples that have come in I haven't seen them placed against a pantone color card. How are the mistakes in color being measured/quantified, personal eyeballing of color? Against which colors  and under what lighting? How are these inaccuracies being communicated with GMK?

How would a stock grey from GMK be chosen? Do Originative have the GMK color ring and pantone colors? I can't see how a stock color can be a closer match than one of the two current samples. Would people get a chance for a refund if the colors change from what was sold in the GB?

One worry I have is that when the colors are finalised that the contrast is still really poor. Is there no way to get a double shot sample made of grey on turquoise?

What is the cost of getting samples? In the future is this something that could be done at the IC phase? I'm guessing a deposit has to be made before GMK are willing to manufacture the custom colors?

Finally, it's my personal preference to wait until the colors from the original mock up are done right. Delays happen and as long as there is constant communication people are happy to wait.  :thumb:

hi , i fully appreciate your worry. Due to some experience on custom color of GMK GB, i think i could explain some aspects on GMK'S custom color from my standpoint.

Show Image

For example Pantone 317U, i give GMK the color's RGB Values(R:174, G:233, B:232), they could decide the right color. Then GMK will give the 3D renders of this color, but they create the render with pantone 317U at HEX/HMTL:AEE9E8. HEX is another kind description of RGB Values.
When done double shot keycaps, GMK would choose the different (including right and not-so-right) mixed proportion of Pantone 317U at the RGB values. Even at the same RGB Values, different mixed proportion of ABS materials could cause different vision such as difference between new and old samples.
Thus making the custom color keycaps' color to meet the sheme of the desiger is very complex and time-consuming.

As for the taking samples for correct color of keycaps, GMK would provide samples for those GBs which have paid already. Thus, there is slim possibility to get samples at IC stage.However , GMK Yuri is exception. Tombery has got samples at IC

Thanks for the knowledge share, it's appreciated 

[Cotay]

So what was the decision on this? Are we waiting for new samples or going with GR1?

[sherryton]

So what was the decision on this? Are we waiting for new samples or going with GR1?

Cotay, switchnollie has purchased some Pantone colorways and have sent them to GMK. GMK should receive them shortly afterwards, and we should be able to proceed.

[[Lewynlight]]

So what was the decision on this? Are we waiting for new samples or going with GR1?

Cotay, switchnollie has purchased some Pantone colorways and have sent them to GMK. GMK should receive them shortly afterwards, and we should be able to proceed.

LOL, considering the failed samples, i guess we had to to this. thanks a lot for the update!

[nathanrosspowell]

So what was the decision on this? Are we waiting for new samples or going with GR1?

Cotay, switchnollie has purchased some Pantone colorways and have sent them to GMK. GMK should receive them shortly afterwards, and we should be able to proceed.

Did anyone get any pictures comparing the samples to the Pantone color chips?

[switchnollie]

Did anyone get any pictures comparing the samples to the Pantone color chips?

Should be borrowing an A6k today from a buddy, will take some najs pics for you :dogebrow:

I've compared the caps to the swatches & GMK using RGB value is what i believe made it look this way as they look like what you see keyboard layout editor which uses RGB.

[nathanrosspowell]

Did anyone get any pictures comparing the samples to the Pantone color chips?

Should be borrowing an A6k today from a buddy, will take some najs pics for you :dogebrow:

I've compared the caps to the swatches & GMK using RGB value is what i believe made it look this way as they look like what you see keyboard layout editor which uses RGB.

Thanks broh, really appreciate it :dogeonebrow:

Hope you can get the next sample to be bang on 

[switchnollie]

Colors are not super accurate since I did the white balance myself but you should be able to see the keycaps being less saturated than the Pantone which is even more noticeable in person.









Returned home last night & reviewed the colors a bit.
Wasn't able to get Cool Gray 1 XGC but Cool Gray 1 U is very close to it.
Very tempted to go a tad bit darker with Cool Gray 2 U, maybe Cool Gray 3 U.

[dead_pixel_design]

Colors are not super accurate since I did the white balance myself but you should be able to see the keycaps being less saturated than the Pantone which is even more noticeable in person.

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Really like the color of the keycap in the first picture

[Vigrith]

The Tiffany is really good, I think 2U for the grey might be the best too.

[jjnist]

This set going to be nice

[shower_king]

the tiffany color keycap in real ones is better than i expected, am i the only one ?

[pomk]

Colors are not super accurate since I did the white balance myself but you should be able to see the keycaps being less saturated than the Pantone which is even more noticeable in person.

When comparing colors it's important to have a light source with a high CRI rating (95+) and as diffused light as possible. Especially with the semi-gloss finish on GMK caps compared to the very matte finish on the pantone chips, if the light is not completely diffused the color of the caps can be a bit lighter (and thus less saturated) due to micro-reflections. A good place for a photoshoot for comparing color would be an open field on a cloudy day. 

[switchnollie]

Colors are not super accurate since I did the white balance myself but you should be able to see the keycaps being less saturated than the Pantone which is even more noticeable in person.

When comparing colors it's important to have a light source with a high CRI rating (95+) and as diffused light as possible. Especially with the semi-gloss finish on GMK caps compared to the very matte finish on the pantone chips, if the light is not completely diffused the color of the caps can be a bit lighter (and thus less saturated) due to micro-reflections. A good place for a photoshoot for comparing color would be an open field on a cloudy day. 

Very interesting
I guess it would be better to go with the slightly darker Cool Gray 2 U then.

Sending the swatches to GMK tomorrow

[nathanrosspowell]

Sending the swatches to GMK tomorrow

Au revoir, swotches swatches 

[wodan]

This made me giggle ... did you see how the Rad-Away keycaps turned out made by Devlin?





And we're talking about nuances of pantone codes here

[nathanrosspowell]

This made me giggle ... did you see how the Rad-Away keycaps turned out made by Devlin?

And we're talking about nuances of pantone codes here

Sweet jesus it's hideous! That's a real balls up

[smittysteve]

This made me giggle ... did you see how the Rad-Away keycaps turned out made by Devlin?

And we're talking about nuances of pantone codes here

Sweet jesus it's hideous! That's a real balls up

Yikes! Makes Chronicler look like a bulls-eye!

[LDobler]

Noooo, I was so hyped for that dark green/orange ((

[swimmingbird]

This made me giggle ... did you see how the Rad-Away keycaps turned out made by Devlin?

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And we're talking about nuances of pantone codes here

What a shame.... I hope Devlin will make it right

[axtran]

Still waiting... sitting on a NerD 60 PCB in Mint for this!

[Vigrith]

This made me giggle ... did you see how the Rad-Away keycaps turned out made by Devlin?

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And we're talking about nuances of pantone codes here

[kmba]

GR1 is basically a white, and won't look anything like the requested gray. The samples are much much closer to the desired color.

[poolside]

Here is my (edit: useless) ghetto comparison of 7471U, Tiffany bag picture from eBay and GMK sample against each other: