novelkeys.com

NovelKeys stocks mechanical switches from Cherry, Gateron, TTC, and KTT, among others, according to the site's own description. That means you can buy switches from several well-known manufacturers in one order, rather than sourcing each brand separately. The exact in-stock lineup changes over time, so treat the brand list as a starting point and check current product pages for specific models.

Brands the site says it carries

NovelKeys describes its switch selection as including:

• Cherry — the long-standing German manufacturer behind the original MX switch design.
• Gateron — a widely used alternative known for smooth travel and a broad range of variants.
• TTC — a manufacturer that produces a large family of linear, tactile, and clicky switches.
• KTT — another switch maker whose models appear in the custom keyboard space.
• And more — the site's wording leaves room for additional brands beyond this list.

Because the description says "and more," the safest way to confirm a specific brand or model is available is to browse the switch category on the site itself.

What actually differs between these brands

Brand name alone doesn't determine how a switch feels. Within each brand there are usually multiple lines, and the differences that matter to a buyer are:

So "Cherry vs. Gateron" is less useful than comparing the specific models you're considering.

Compatibility is the first thing to check

Before choosing a brand, confirm the switch fits your keyboard:

• Hot-swap sockets accept switches with the matching pin layout (typically 3-pin or 5-pin). Many switches can be used in either, but 5-pin switches may need the two extra plastic legs clipped for a 3-pin socket.
• Soldered builds require desoldering to change switches, so the choice is more permanent.
• Plate and PCB clearance matters for some switch designs.

If you're unsure what your board supports, that constraint narrows your options more than brand preference does.

How to decide

1. Identify your keyboard's switch mount (3-pin vs. 5-pin, hot-swap vs. soldered).
2. Pick a switch type — linear, tactile, or clicky — based on the feel you want.
3. Compare specific models across the brands NovelKeys carries, looking at force and travel numbers rather than brand reputation alone.
4. Buy a small quantity first if you're trying an unfamiliar brand or model, since feel is subjective.
5. Check current availability, because the site's stock and preorder status change frequently.

A note on preorders

Some NovelKeys listings are preorders rather than in-stock items. The site's own preorder text states that preordered products do not currently exist in inventory, that placing a preorder commits you to purchasing, and that there are no refunds or order cancellations. It also notes that timelines are estimates and can change without notice. If you need switches soon, filter for in-stock items rather than preorders.

NovelKeys LLC is an online retailer specializing in custom mechanical keyboards and related parts. It sells complete custom keyboards alongside keycaps, switches, deskpads, and artisan items. The site is aimed at mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who want to build or upgrade a board rather than buy a standard prebuilt keyboard.

What NovelKeys sells

How buying works here

NovelKeys mixes in-stock items with preorders, and the two behave differently.

• In-stock items ship when ordered. The site marks some products "LIMITED STOCK."
• Preorders are items that "do not currently exist in our inventory." Placing a preorder commits you to buying the item, and the site states there are no refunds or order cancellations. The listed timeline is an estimate and can change without notice.
• Mixed carts: if your cart contains a preorder item, the site requires you to purchase it separately from in-stock products because they ship on different dates.

Prices are shown per kit or item. For example, GMK CYL Prussian Alert lists a Base at $175, Extension at $75, Cyrillic Alphas at $105, and Alertless at $55; GMK CYL Evil Dolch The Split R2 lists Base at $79 and Novelties at $12. Deskpads appear at $25, discounted to $20 during a preorder window.

Who it's for

If you already know which switch brand or keycap profile you want, or you're assembling a custom board from parts, NovelKeys is set up for that. If you want a single ready-to-use keyboard with no build step and no preorder waiting period, the preorder model and separate-shipping rule are the main things to check before buying.

NovelKeys sells deskpads, artisan keycaps, and apparel alongside its keyboards and keycaps. Based on the current site listings, the accessory lineup includes themed deskpads such as the Chladni Deskpad and Zombie Deskpad, artisan keycaps, and clothing items like the Dolch Dad Hat. Many of these accessories are released to match existing keycap set themes, so you can build a coordinated setup rather than buying unrelated pieces.

Deskpads

Deskpads are the most visible accessory category on the site. The current listings show:

Both are tied to keycap set themes — Chladni and Zombie — which means the artwork is designed to pair with the matching keycap group buys. If you already own or plan to order those sets, the deskpad is the intended companion piece.

What to know before ordering a deskpad

The deskpads shown are preorder items, and the site states clearly that preorders are not currently in inventory. By placing a preorder you commit to purchasing the item, and there are no refunds or order cancellations. The listed timeline is only an estimate and can change without notice.

One practical detail from the cart behavior: if you have a preorder item in your cart, it will ship at a different date than in-stock products, so you need to purchase them separately. Plan for two orders if you are mixing a preorder deskpad with in-stock items.

Artisan Keycaps

Artisans are listed as a separate accessory category from standard keycaps. These are individual, often hand-finished or limited-run keycaps meant as accent pieces rather than full sets. They are typically used on a single key — commonly Escape or a function row key — to add a focal point to a board.

Because artisan availability tends to be limited and release-based, check the site directly for current stock rather than assuming a specific design is available.

Apparel

The site carries apparel, with the Dolch Dad Hat as a current example. Like the deskpads, it follows a keycap theme — Dolch — so it functions as merchandise for people who already like that colorway. The hat is also listed as a limited preorder, with the same preorder terms: no refunds, no cancellations, and an estimated timeline that may shift.

How to decide what to add

Use these conditions to choose:

• You want a matching desktop setup. Pick the deskpad that shares a name with your keycap set (Chladni, Zombie). The theme is the whole point.
• You want a single accent piece. Go with an artisan keycap instead of a full accessory, since it changes the look of a board with one key.
• You want non-keyboard merchandise. Apparel such as the Dolch Dad Hat is the option here.
• You need something shipped now. Check whether the item is in stock versus preorder. Preorder accessories ship on a separate date and cannot be combined with in-stock items in one order.

Common sticking points

• Preorder terms are strict. No refunds and no cancellations apply once you commit, and timelines are estimates only.
• Separate shipping dates. A preorder accessory and an in-stock product require separate purchases.
• Theme lock-in. Deskpads and apparel are designed around specific keycap sets, so they look best with the matching set rather than as standalone generic accessories.

For current availability and pricing, check the individual product pages, since accessory stock changes with each group buy and preorder window.

Choose GMK if you want thick ABS double-shot keycaps with a deep, resonant sound and the widest selection of group-buy colorways. Choose NovelKeys PBT if you want dye-sublimated keycaps that resist shine and feel slightly more textured. On NovelKeys, the two lines also differ in how they're sold: GMK sets are split into Base, Extension, Novelties, and Alpha kits at different prices, while NovelKeys' own PBT sets are typically sold as a single complete set.

The core material difference

Double-shot legends can't wear off because the legend is a separate piece of plastic, not printed on top. Dye-sublimation legends are dyed into the cap surface, so they also resist fading — but the two processes produce different surface textures and sound.

How the two lines are sold

This is where the buying decision actually gets made. GMK sets on NovelKeys are modular:

• Base — the main kit covering a standard layout. Example: GMK CYL Evil Dolch The Split R2 Base at $79; GMK CYL Prussian Alert Base at $175.
• Extension — adds coverage for non-standard layouts (e.g., 40%, ortholinear, or unusual bottom rows). Example: GMK Centinela Extension Kit Essentials at $60.
• Novelties — decorative accent keys with themed artwork. Example: GMK CYL Evil Dolch The Split R2 Novelties at $12.
• Alpha kits — alternate alphas, often Cyrillic or other script. Example: GMK CYL Prussian Alert Cyrillic Alphas at $105.
• Alertless — a variant base without the "alert" accent keys. Example: GMK CYL Prussian Alert Alertless at $55.

Prices in the evidence range from $12 (novelties) to $175 (a full base kit). A complete GMK build can therefore cost well over the base price once you add extensions or novelties.

NovelKeys' own PBT keycaps are sold as complete sets rather than split kits, so there's no kit-compatibility math to do — you buy one product and it covers a standard layout.

Deciding factors

Pick GMK if:

• You want a specific colorway that only exists as a GMK group buy.
• You prefer a deeper sound and don't mind ABS developing shine over years of use.
• You need extension or novelty kits for a non-standard layout.

Pick NovelKeys PBT if:

• You want a single purchase with no kit assembly.
• You type heavily and want to delay visible shine.
• You prefer a textured surface and a crisper sound.

Preorder and stock caveats

Many GMK sets on NovelKeys are preorders, not in-stock items. The site's preorder terms state that the product "does not currently exist in our inventory," that placing a preorder commits you to purchase, and that there are no refunds or order cancellations. The timeline is described as an estimate that "could change without notice."

Two practical consequences:

1. Preorder and in-stock items ship separately. The site notes that if your cart mixes a preorder with a product shipping on a different date, you must purchase them separately.
2. "Limited stock" and "limited preorder" labels appear on some sets (e.g., GMK CYL Prussian Alert is marked limited stock), so availability isn't guaranteed even during a preorder window.

Check whether a set is in stock or preorder before committing, and confirm the kit contents cover your keyboard layout — a Base kit alone won't fit every board.

A preorder on NovelKeys is a commitment to buy an item that does not yet exist in inventory. Before you click agree, understand four things: you are charged for something not yet made, there are no refunds or order cancellations, the timeline is an estimate that can change without notice, and preorder items must be purchased separately from in-stock items because they ship on different dates.

The preorder agreement you accept at checkout

When you add a preorder product to your cart, NovelKeys presents a confirmation checkbox with this language:

• "I understand that this product is a preorder and does not currently exist in our inventory."
• "By placing this preorder, I am committing to purchasing this item."
• "There are no refunds or order cancellations."
• "I understand that the timeline is only an estimate and could change without notice."

You must select "I Agree" before the item can be purchased. This is not a formality — it defines the terms of the transaction.

What this means in practice

Preorder and in-stock items ship separately

NovelKeys flags a cart conflict when you mix preorder and in-stock products:

"You currently have a preorder item in your cart. Since it will ship at a different date than this product, you will need to purchase them separately."

This means you cannot combine a preorder with an in-stock item in one order and expect them to arrive together. If you want both, place two separate orders. The in-stock item ships when available; the preorder ships when the production run completes.

Examples from the current catalog

The page evidence shows several active preorders with different price points and kit structures:

• CYL Evil Dolch The Split R2 — GMK ABS Double-Shot keycaps, Base $79, Novelties $12, marked as a preorder.
• GMK CYL Prussian Alert — Base $175, Extension $75, Cyrillic Alphas $105, Alertless $55, marked limited stock.
• GMK Centinela Extension Kit — Essentials $60, Fan Favorites $80, marked as a preorder.
• Chladni Deskpad — $25, discounted to $20, marked as a preorder.
• Zombie Deskpad — $25, discounted to $20, marked as a limited preorder.
• Dolch Dad Hat — marked as a preorder.

Note that some items carry both "preorder" and "limited stock" labels. Read each product page carefully — the labels can appear together, and the preorder terms still apply.

How to decide whether to preorder

Ask yourself these questions before agreeing:

1. Can I wait an unknown amount of time? The timeline is an estimate. If you need the item by a specific date, a preorder is risky.
2. Am I certain I want this exact product? There are no refunds or cancellations. If you might change your mind, do not preorder.
3. Can I afford to have my money tied up? You pay now for something that ships later. That money is not available for other purchases in the meantime.
4. Do I also want in-stock items? You will need to place a separate order for those, which may mean paying shipping twice.

If you answered "no" or "not sure" to any of these, consider waiting until the item is in stock — or look for it on the secondary market after the group buy or preorder window closes.

Common pitfalls

• Assuming the ship date is firm. It is not. Delays in manufacturing, shipping, or quality control can push the date back without notice.
• Trying to cancel after agreeing. You cannot. The terms are explicit.
• Mixing preorder and in-stock items in one cart. The system will prompt you to separate them, but it is better to plan for two orders from the start.
• Confusing "preorder" with "group buy." Both involve paying before production, but the terms and timelines can differ. Read the specific product page for each.
• Ignoring the "limited stock" label on a preorder item. Limited stock may mean fewer units are available, but the preorder terms still apply.

What to do instead if you are not ready to commit

• Wait for the item to be in stock. NovelKeys stocks switches from Cherry, Gateron, TTC, KTT, and others, plus keycaps and deskpads, so some products are available immediately.
• Check the secondary market after the preorder ships. Prices may be higher or lower depending on demand.
• Sign up for restock notifications if the product page offers them. This lets you buy when the item is physically available, with normal return and cancellation policies.

The core rule is simple: a NovelKeys preorder is a non-refundable commitment to buy a product that does not exist yet, on a timeline that can change. Agree only if you can accept all four terms.