GMK Greg is a distinctive keycap set that has captured significant attention within the mechanical keyboard community. This set stands out due to its unique aesthetic and the premium manufacturing quality associated with its producer. It has become a sought-after item for enthusiasts looking to personalize their keyboards with a blend of playful design and high-end craftsmanship.
Understanding GMK Keycaps
GMK, an acronym for Günter, Meinhardt, and Kredler, is a German manufacturer widely recognized for producing high-quality keycaps. The company utilizes thick ABS plastic, which contributes to a more textured feel and minimizes warping. This material choice allows for vibrant color reproduction and also influences the acoustic properties of a keyboard, providing a satisfying sound profile during typing.
A distinguishing feature of GMK keycaps is their double-shot molding process. This technique involves injecting two layers of plastic to form the legends. This method prevents the legends from fading or wearing off over time, contributing to the keycaps’ durability and longevity. All GMK keycaps are manufactured in the Cherry profile, a sculpted, relatively short, and ergonomic shape favored by many enthusiasts, which provides a comfortable and consistent typing experience.
The Design and Inspiration of GMK Greg
The GMK Greg keycap set was conceived by designers Chamelemon\_64 and Pancake. The inspiration for this unique set originated from an unexpected source: a Taobao deskmat featuring a distinct character. Chamelemon\_64 initially acquired these deskmats, and both designers developed an affinity for the character.
This fascination led them to transform the character’s “stupid face” into a keycap set, bringing this playful aesthetic directly to mechanical keyboards. The set’s core visual identity revolves around a yellow and black color scheme. This palette forms the primary base and legend colors, with additional accent options available.
Key Features of GMK Greg
GMK Greg is manufactured from 1.5mm thick double-shot ABS plastic. The keycaps feature the Cherry profile.
The set was offered in several kits:
Base kit for standard layouts
Novelties kit featuring unique iconography such as “Greg’s face”
Spacebars kit
“Black on Yellow” (BoY) kit
GMK Greg was designed to be compatible with a wide array of mechanical keyboard layouts. It supports common sizes like 60%, 65%, 75%, Tenkeyless (TKL), 96-key, 1800, and full-size boards, alongside support for ANSI, ISO, and other less common layouts.
Availability and Acquisition
GMK Greg was originally made available through a group buy model. The group buy period ran from December 10, 2020, to January 18, 2021. During this time, enthusiasts could pre-order the set through various regional vendors:
TX Keyboards for North America
Daily Clack for Oceania
MyKeyboard for Europe
Monokei for Southeast Asia
Apex Keyboards for Canada
ZFrontier for China and international customers
As is typical for group buy keycap sets, GMK Greg is no longer available directly from these original vendors as new stock. Consequently, the set can now primarily be acquired through aftermarket channels. Enthusiasts frequently seek out GMK Greg on secondary markets such as eBay and community forums like r/mechmarket on Reddit. Prices in the aftermarket can vary significantly, often exceeding the original group buy price, which was around $134.99 USD for the base kit. Depending on condition and demand, aftermarket prices for popular GMK sets can range from $200 and upwards.
Why GMK Greg is Popular
The popularity of GMK Greg stems from a combination of its unique design, the inherent quality of GMK products, and the nature of the mechanical keyboard hobby itself. The distinct “Greg” character, prominently featured in the novelty keycaps, provides a playful and memorable aesthetic that sets it apart from more conventional keycap sets. This novel approach to design resonated strongly within the community, quickly establishing it as a highly anticipated release.
Beyond its visual appeal, the set benefits from GMK’s reputation for manufacturing excellence. The use of thick, double-shot ABS plastic in the Cherry profile ensures a premium feel, vibrant colors, and durable legends that contribute to a satisfying typing experience. The limited availability inherent in the group buy model further contributes to its desirability, creating a sense of exclusivity and making it a sought-after collectible. This blend of a unique, community-embraced theme with recognized quality and scarcity solidifies GMK Greg’s status as a notable and enduringly popular keycap set.