Gobo FAQs
What do you need from me to quote a custom gobo?
How fast can you deliver?
How much does Rush Service cost?
Do you make metal gobos?
How should I handle my glass gobo?
How heat resistant are your glass gobos?
How to mount my gobo?
What about gobo holders?
Ordering Gobos
I don’t know all these things you want to know from me in the order form?
How can I send you larger files?
Fixture Make and Type
Standard Gobo Sizes
Gobo Outer Diameter (OD)
Gobo Image Diameter (ID)
Which B-size glass gobo type to choose?
Do you make A-size glass gobos?
Center for Rotation?
Is Image Rear Projected? / Is Gobo Used in Scanner?
Gobo Projection
Description of Art
Color Reference
Deliver by
Number of Copies (Duplicates)
Other
Where can I rent a projector or other equipment?
What do you need from me to quote a custom gobo?
We need to know the gobo type you are interested in, such as black/white, grayscale or color. It also helps to know the projector type that you will be using. See our Custom Gobo Page for an overview and pricing. If you are not sure just go here for a quote and we will give you a recommendation and pricing. At this point, providing a .jpg or .gif file is just fine, also a link to a web page where we can see your artwork (for example a company logo) will do. For producing the gobo, we usually need better artwork as described in our Artwork Guidelines. Back to top
How fast can you deliver?
We can rush your gobos usually by the 3rd business day after order placement, ask us if you need it faster. Please go here for details. Back to top
How much does Rush Service cost?
We don’t charge rush penalties, there is just a flat shipping and handling fee for express delivery. Please visit our How To Order page for details. Back to top
Do you make metal gobos?
Yes, even though we recommend using glass gobos, metal gobos are a good alternative for lights that get too hot for glass gobos. Go to our Metal Gobo Page for product details. Back to top
How should I handle my glass gobo?
Handle a gobo carefully, its glass after all. Don’t touch the gobo surface because the oil from your skin may “bake in” when exposed to the high temperature of the light source. Remove fingerprints with a soft cloth. If necessary use some alcohol. Back to top
How heat resistant are your glass gobos?
Every gobo/fixture combination is unique and it is not possible to specify exact numbers. Our highly reflective coating reflects over 98% of the heat and makes our gobos extremely heat resistant. For maximum heat resistance, always mount the gobo with the reflecting (coated) side facing the light source. Where applicable, adjust the lens for hot spots and we recommend using a condenser lens. Back to top
How to mount my gobo?
Follow the directions for your fixture. For maximum heat resistance, the reflective side shall face the light source. Back to top
What about gobo holders?
Gobos are usually placed in a gobo holder or gobo wheel and the most commonly used gobos are simple metal gobos. Glass gobos are thicker than metal gobos (our gobos are usually between 1.1mm to 2.7mm thick). Most fixtures take glass gobos but you may want to double check. We can mount larger gobos (like B-Size) in a metal adapter ring, so you can use your metal gobo holder. Back to top
Order Infos
I don’t know all these things you want to know from me in the order form?
We rarely need all the information requested in the forms. Fill in what you know an we’ll fill in the blanks. Back to top
How can I send you larger files?
If you use our standard online order system, you can upload files of up to 100MB size. If for some reason you will have to send us another file you can email it to us by referring to the order number. The max. file size for receiving email is also 100MB but you will probably have problems with your own email system as these typically don’t allow attachments larger 10MB (or less) to be sent. In such a case you can use our FTP service. Please inform us about the upload once you’re done.
FTP Upload Instructions
Go here:
http://www.bluehost.com/cgi-bin/uftp/?domain=ftp@gobosource.com
1. Double click on the "incoming" folder
2. Drag the files from your hard disk to this directory.
3. You will not be able to see the files in the directory.
There is no file size limit and no password is needed
Fixture Make and Type
Almost every light fixture type has it's own distinctive characteristics and uses special gobo dimensions. We can do the best job if we know the exact make and type of your light fixture. If you don’t know the fixture type, we need to have the required Outer Diameter and Image Diameter of the gobo. Back to top
Standard Gobo Sizes
Some fixtures use standardized gobo sizes such as A, B, D, E, M.. These define the Outer Diameter AND the Image Diameter of your gobo. For example, per definition, a “B-Size” gobo has an Outer Diameter (OD) of 86mm and and Image Diameter (ID) of 64mm but these dimensions can vary. If you know that you need a standard gobo size, you can state this instead of the Outside- and Image diameter. Back to top
Gobo Outer Diameter (OD)
Is the outer diameter of the gobo disc, usually measured in (mm). If you don’t know the light fixture type, we need to know at least the Outer Diameter and Image Diameter of the gobo. Even if you tell us the fixture type, it is always a good idea to state the gobo dimensions as well so we can double check. Back to top
Gobo Image Diameter (ID)
Is the maximum diameter of an image on the gobo, usually measured in (mm). The Image Diameter has to be smaller than the Outer Diameter. If a gobo is manufactured with an Image Diameter that is too large, some outer areas of the image may be cut off from the projection. If you don’t know the light fixture type, we need to know at least the Outer Diameter and Image Diameter of the gobo. Even if you tell us the fixture type, it is always a good idea to state the gobo dimensions as well so we can double check. Back to top
Which B-size glass gobo type to choose?
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B-size is the most common gobo size. Most 3.5” ellipsoidals (or lekos) such as the ETC Source Four (not Source Four JR) or most Altman types use this size.
Our B-size glass gobos are mounted in metal adapter rings. These bezels allow using our glass gobos in common metal gobo holders and thus eliminate the need for glass gobo holders.
We offer two different standard sizes for B-size gobos. One with a smaller image diameter and one with a larger image diameter. Both have certain advantages and disadvantages.
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B-size with 48mm Image Diameter
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B-size with 60mm Image Diameter
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Dimensions
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Outer diameter: 82mm (3 1/4”)
Image diameter: 48mm (1 7/8”)
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Outer diameter: 82mm (3 1/4”)
Image diameter: 60mm (2 1/3”)
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Advantage
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Has a better focus uniformity than larger image diameter.
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Projects the max. possible image size.
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Disadvantage
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About 23% smaller projection size than larger image diameter.
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Image may get fuzzy on the outer edges with most lights.
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When to Choose
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When best projection quality is desired.
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When the max. possible projection size is desired.
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Back to top
Do you make A-size glass gobos?
Yes, these have an outer diameter of 100mm (4”) and an image diameter of either 48mm or 60mm. Please see Which B-size glass gobo type to choose? for the difference between the two image sizes. For custom glass gobos we recommend using the B-size types instead since A-size gobos may have to be trimmed down in certain fixtures while B-size gobos fit usually fit such fixtures. <Back to top>
Center for Rotation?
We usually center an artwork on a gobo. Sometimes, when for example a company slogan is rotated, it looks better to center the base line of the text instead of centering the physical middle of the logo. Let us know if you want to rotate the gobo. <Back to top>
Is Image Rear Projected? / Is Gobo Used in Scanner?
For rear projection (projecting against the back side of a screen) and in scanners, the gobo artwork needs to be mirrored. This is especially important for text projection. For symmetrical graphics, it is not necessary to mirror a gobo because it looks the same in both ways. Back to top
- You can flip our gobos in case you need them mirrored but it is preferable to have the coated side facing the lamp. Back to top
Gobo Projection
Gobos are usually processed in “Dark Field”, which means that the artwork is reversed so that black artwork projects as light and the rest of the gobo is blackened out. In this case, please select the "standard” option. If you wish to project black artwork as dark, then pls. select the "reversed" option. Colors usually remain unchanged. Back to top
Description of Art
Enter the filename of the artwork design file that you will email to us. Add additional comments if applicable. Back to top
Color Reference
We try to match the colors of your artwork with the colors of our Standard Color Palette as closely as possible. Please notify us If you need us to exactly match your color. This may incur additional costs. We are able to make virtually any color, but we cannot guarantee the exact match of your colors in the resulting projection due to variations in the fixtures and projection surface. Please let us know if you have special requirements. Back to top
Deliver by
Enter the date by when you need the gobos delivered. Please see our shipping options and terms. Back to top
Number of Copies (Duplicates)
Enter the number of additional duplicates to the original gobo. Duplicates cost less expensive than the first gobo and the total cost is calculated automatically if you order online. Back to top
- Multiple gobos of multiple different artworks count as originals.
- Multiple gobos in different sizes count as originals.
- Reorders of artworks count as originals.
Where can I rent a projector or other equipment?
Check at Rental Source
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