If you’ve spent any time looking into mechanical keyboards, then you’ve likely heard of GMK keycaps, a German Keycap brand.
These keycaps have become somewhat of a staple in the mechanical keyboard community and have a lot of crazes to get even after waiting for a long time though they are expensive. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at why GMK keycaps are so expensive.
Let’s get started!
Why GMK Keycaps are So Expensive?
GMK keycaps have the premium build quality and incredible durability. This premium build quality, crisp legends, uniform key texture, and even the detailed finish of the keycap edges come at a cost. Even they come with vibrant and a wide variety of color combinations which makes them stand out. So, the GMK keycaps are generally more expensive than other keycap sets available in the market.
These keycaps are made in Germany by GMK Electronic Design founded by Manfred Güntner and Wolfgang Kredler in 1992.
The main reasons that contribute to these keycaps being expensive are:
- Manufacturing process
- High-Quality Standards
- Being Exclusive with Limited Production Runs
Manufacturing Process
One of the main reasons GMK keycaps are expensive is due to the manufacturing process. GMK keycaps are made using a complicated and time-consuming process that requires multiple steps.
Each of the keycaps in a GMK keycap set is made through a unique manufacturing process that involves double-shot injection molding. This process involves creating the legends (letters/characters) and the keycap’s base in two separate steps and then merging them together into a single keycap.
This ensures that the legends never fade, chip or wear off, resulting in a clean and durable finish. Using Doubleshot Injection increases its legend quality a lot and it’s especially better than the dye-sublimation printing process of legends.
To know about the comparison of DoubleShot vs Dye-Sublimation process for printing legends, you can check this post.
Even the detailing in their keycaps is much better than cheaper ones. You will notice once you turn a keycap upside down, then check its edges and internal detailing.
Material Quality Standards
GMK keycap set is made using high-quality materials such as thick ABS plastic, which is more durable and long-lasting than other typical keycap materials.
These high-quality materials ensure that the keycaps can withstand repeated usage, spills, and knocks, making them ideal for gamers and professionals alike.
Also, they have strict material quality control standards. Every keycap is carefully inspected to ensure that it meets the company’s high standards. This level of quality control requires a significant investment of time and money, which is one reason why GMK keycaps are so expensive.
For this reason, when you get GMK keycaps you will notice, their legends are uniformly crisp on all the keycaps. Their texture is consistent across all their keycaps.
Limited Production Runs
Another factor that contributes to the cost of GMK keycaps is the limited production runs. The exclusivity of GMK keycaps adds to their value. Even, you may often get to see a long waiting time for getting these keycaps.GMK only releases their keycaps in limited quantities, and certain sets are never released again.
This exclusivity makes GMK keycaps a collector’s item, and thus, their prices can reach hundreds of dollars on the secondary market.
Comparison to Other Keycaps
While GMK keycaps are expensive, they are often considered superior to other high-end keycaps on the market.
They are known for their high-quality materials, intricate designs, and strict quality control standards. While they may be pricey, many enthusiasts believe that they are worth the investment.
Premium Keycap Brands
Signature Plastics and JTK are two of the most popular premium keycap brands. They use similar production processes and materials as GMK, but their prices are generally lower.
They offer both ABS and PBT keycaps, which are different materials that have their own unique properties.
ABS keycaps are made from a type of plastic that is known for its smooth texture and ability to be molded into intricate shapes. However, they are also more prone to wear and shine over time.
PBT keycaps are made from a more durable plastic that is resistant to wear and shine. They also have a slightly textured surface that some users prefer. However, they can be more difficult to mold into complex shapes.
Now, considering PBT as a premium material than ABS, still GMK stands out and is a high-quality one though being ABS made. To know more about comparison, you may check our article on GMK vs PBT keycaps.
Budget Keycap Brands
Tai-Hao and Ducky are two popular budget keycap brands. They use lower-quality materials and simpler production processes, resulting in lower prices. They offer both ABS and PBT keycaps, but their quality and durability may not be as high as premium brands.
If you’re trying to decide between ABS and PBT keycaps, check out our article on ABS vs PBT keycaps for a detailed comparison of the two materials.
Conclusion
In conclusion, GMK keycaps are expensive for several reasons. The manufacturing process is time-consuming and requires a lot of labor, the quality control standards are strict, production runs are limited, and licensing agreements and copyright protection add to the cost.
However, many enthusiasts believe that GMK keycaps are worth the investment due to their high-quality materials, intricate designs, and superior quality when compared to other high-end keycaps on the market.
The popularity of these keycaps within the mechanical keyboard community is unsurpassed, and the demand for them remains high even after extended periods of waiting despite their costly price tag. They have become a must-have item for enthusiasts who appreciate their uniqueness and aesthetic appeal.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post.
I’m Anirban Saha, Founder & Editor of TechBullish. With a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and 5+ years of experience as a software developer, I have expertise in electronics, software development, gadgets, and computer peripherals. I love sharing my knowledge through informational articles, how-to guides, and troubleshooting tips for Peripherals, Smart TVs, Streaming Solutions, and more here. Check Anirban’s Crunchbase Profile here.
