Author Topic: [IC] GMK Primary sets  (Read 3111 times)

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Offline baxxt14

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[IC] GMK Primary sets
« on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 14:46:31 »
I have created a Google form for you all to look at https://goo.gl/forms/jkA4LG9z29AJO7Zr2

https://www.reddit.com/r/keycapdesigners/comments/7bogu8/gmk_primaries_render/

I like the floppy drive esc and current arrow keys, the other legends probably won't stay

Update 11/8/17: I've rendered the three colors (I still can't decide which one to do) and fixed the giant legends. I also haven't picked a font or designed any novelties/legends

Update11/9/17: Rendered the caps as DCS and now the fonts are messed up again. Still haven't decided on which color to choose or which font.
« Last Edit: Thu, 09 November 2017, 10:16:33 by baxxt14 »

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Re: [IC] Primary sets
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 14:48:00 »
I think I need some new glasses.

Offline xondat

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Re: [IC] Primary sets
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 14:49:49 »
What's the purpose of this thread?

Going to need a bit more information if you're trying to do absolutely anything :-\

Offline baxxt14

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Re: [IC] Primary sets
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 14:51:23 »
I think I need some new glasses.
Yeah sorry about that. Better pictures coming soon

Offline baxxt14

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Re: [IC] Primary sets
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 14:53:47 »
What's the purpose of this thread?

Going to need a bit more information if you're trying to do absolutely anything :-\
It's just an idea for a keyset that I had. I'm following the /r/keycapdesigners post about ICs ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Offline xondat

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Re: [IC] Primary sets
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 14:57:37 »
What's the purpose of this thread?

Going to need a bit more information if you're trying to do absolutely anything :-\
It's just an idea for a keyset that I had. I'm following the /r/keycapdesigners post about ICs ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Probably worth developing the idea a bit more.

Offline baxxt14

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Re: [IC] Primary sets
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 15:00:12 »
What's the purpose of this thread?

Going to need a bit more information if you're trying to do absolutely anything :-\
It's just an idea for a keyset that I had. I'm following the /r/keycapdesigners post about ICs ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Probably worth developing the idea a bit more.
If so can you give me some tips? I'm generally new to this keycap community

Offline xondat

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Re: [IC] Primary sets
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 15:12:03 »
Layouts/kits, profile, better pictures, ideas of pricing, why this set, why geekhack, etc. Check other threads for general feel of what you could be doing. :)

Offline pixelpusher

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Re: [IC] Primary sets
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 15:35:01 »
Here are my suggestions for your proposed keycap sets:

If you plan to move forward with an Interest Check, one big missing factor here is the keycap profile.  You need to decide on SA, DSA, XDA, Cherry, DCS, or Cubic.  Those are currently the options for custom keycap sets.

Once you decide on a profile you can start to look at a manufacturer.  Unless you plan to sell a LOT of keycaps, you will probably need to pick colors that the manufacturer has available (instead of a custom color).  Your colors are primaries so I don't think you'll have issues using stock colors with any vendor. 

Because you've chosen to have white legends on darker colored keycaps, you'll need to look for a manufacturer that can produce double-shot keycaps.  This is done with ABS plastic.

Profiles and their Manufacturers---
SA: Signature Plastics or Maxkey
DSA: Signature Plastics
DCS: Signature Plastics
Cherry: GMK
Cubic: Tai-Hao

I probably shouldn't list Tai-Hao or Cubic b/c only recently has anyone tried to get this done, but I would say your project could get interest by being unique if you go that route.

There are other manufactures out there.  I know there are some Chinese compaines making DSA profile caps, but I've only ever seen dye sublimated PBT caps.  The ones listed above are your best bet.

Many keycap sets that gain popularity revolve around a theme.  Your theme seems to be primary colors, but I don't think everyone could afford to get all 3 colors.  It would be tricky to hit a minimum order quantity from any manuf. with people picking and choosing from 3 different colors.  I would try to run an Interest Check and see which color people prefer the most and stick with just that one.  (I like the yellow one the best)

A lot of people like for a keycap set to have novelties that make it unique.  Something that relates to your theme, so think about that as well.  Add something unique to the modifier key legends perhaps.

Also, if this really picks up attention and you plan to work hard to have a set produced, you will want to get a professional rendering of the keycap set done to make it look nice and worth people's money.  The ideas you have here are fine as a start, but you need something more realistic if you get serious about it. 

Hope this helps.

Offline baxxt14

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Re: [IC] Primary sets
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 07 November 2017, 17:19:47 »
Here are my suggestions for your proposed keycap sets:

If you plan to move forward with an Interest Check, one big missing factor here is the keycap profile.  You need to decide on SA, DSA, XDA, Cherry, DCS, or Cubic.  Those are currently the options for custom keycap sets.

Once you decide on a profile you can start to look at a manufacturer.  Unless you plan to sell a LOT of keycaps, you will probably need to pick colors that the manufacturer has available (instead of a custom color).  Your colors are primaries so I don't think you'll have issues using stock colors with any vendor. 

Because you've chosen to have white legends on darker colored keycaps, you'll need to look for a manufacturer that can produce double-shot keycaps.  This is done with ABS plastic.

Profiles and their Manufacturers---
SA: Signature Plastics or Maxkey
DSA: Signature Plastics
DCS: Signature Plastics
Cherry: GMK
Cubic: Tai-Hao

I probably shouldn't list Tai-Hao or Cubic b/c only recently has anyone tried to get this done, but I would say your project could get interest by being unique if you go that route.

There are other manufactures out there.  I know there are some Chinese compaines making DSA profile caps, but I've only ever seen dye sublimated PBT caps.  The ones listed above are your best bet.

Many keycap sets that gain popularity revolve around a theme.  Your theme seems to be primary colors, but I don't think everyone could afford to get all 3 colors.  It would be tricky to hit a minimum order quantity from any manuf. with people picking and choosing from 3 different colors.  I would try to run an Interest Check and see which color people prefer the most and stick with just that one.  (I like the yellow one the best)

A lot of people like for a keycap set to have novelties that make it unique.  Something that relates to your theme, so think about that as well.  Add something unique to the modifier key legends perhaps.

Also, if this really picks up attention and you plan to work hard to have a set produced, you will want to get a professional rendering of the keycap set done to make it look nice and worth people's money.  The ideas you have here are fine as a start, but you need something more realistic if you get serious about it. 

Hope this helps.
Thanks for the awesome tips. I'll do more work on the legends and maybe make some novelties.