If you’re trying to budget for a custom gobo, the honest answer is: it depends on what kind of gobo you need and how it’s made. The price difference between a stock pattern and a fully custom upload, or between metal, glass, and digital, is significant — and knowing where your project falls before you order saves time and avoids surprises at checkout.
This guide breaks down exactly what a custom gobo costs at Machine Artist in 2026, what drives the price up or down, and how to figure out which option is right for your event or business.
Custom Gobo Pricing at a Glance
| Gobo Type | Starting Price | Turnaround | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static Digital Gobo | $20 | Instant download | Projecting via your own digital projector, no physical disc needed |
| Animated Digital Gobo | $50 | Instant download | Animated branding or signage moments |
| Stock Gobo | $17.95 | Standard | Ready-made patterns, no custom design needed |
| Customizable Template / Gobo Creator | $39.95 | Standard | Personalized text, monograms, names |
| Custom Upload (Your Artwork) | $49.95 | 2 business days | Logos, original artwork, fully custom designs |
| Custom Upload — 24-Hour Rush | $69.95 | 24 hours | Same as above, with a tight deadline |
| Glass Gobo (Custom) | Starting at $125 | Varies | Color projections |
Stock Gobos — $17.95
Stock gobos are our pre-designed, ready-to-order patterns. We have an extensive catalog across categories like geometric patterns, wedding designs, holiday themes, signs and text, nature, and more.
This is the most affordable physical option because the design work is already done. You’re simply selecting a pattern and a size. If a stock design fits your event (a classic monogram frame, a seasonal pattern, a standard sign), this is the fastest and most budget-friendly way to get a gobo.
Best for: budget-conscious orders, last-minute needs, or anyone who finds a design in our catalog that already fits their vision.
Customizable Templates & Gobo Creator — $39.95
This tier covers designs you personalize yourself, either through one of our customizable templates (add your own names, dates, or text to an existing design) or by building something from scratch using our online Gobo Creator tool.
The Gobo Creator lets you add custom text, choose fonts, select borders and decorative frames, and preview your design before ordering, all without any design software or experience.
Templates are the most popular option for wedding gobos and personal events, since most couples want their names or monogram on the gobo but don’t have original artwork to upload.
Best for: monograms, names, dates, custom text or anyone who wants personalization without uploading their own file.
Custom Upload Gobos — $49.95 (or $69.95 for 24-Hour Turnaround)
If you have your own logo, illustration, or original artwork, you can upload it directly and we’ll cut it as a custom metal gobo. This is the option most businesses, DJs, and brands use for logo projection, since it allows for a fully original design rather than a template or stock pattern.
Standard turnaround on uploaded designs is 2 business days from artwork approval. If you’re on a tighter timeline, our 24-hour rush option is available for $69.95.
Keep in mind: uploaded artwork goes through a quick review by our team first. Depending on the complexity of your design, we may suggest adjustments. For example, adding structural bridges to enclosed shapes like the inside of a letter “O”, to make sure it holds up as a metal stencil.
Best for: company logos, original artwork, DJ and brand projections, anything that isn’t a pre-made template or stock design.
Glass Gobos — Starting at $125
Glass gobos are our newest offering, and they open up something metal simply can’t do: color.
Where a metal gobo projects a sharp black-and-white image (light passes through cut-out areas, blocked everywhere else), a glass gobo can incorporate actual color into the projection itself. These are ideal for branded color projections, more dimensional artwork, or designs with fine gradient detail.
Glass gobos start at $125 for a 1–2 color design. Pricing increases with additional colors and varies according to the gobo size. Right now you can contact us for a quote on your specific design.
Best for: projections that need color, brand-accurate logo colors, or designs too detailed for a metal stencil to capture cleanly.
Digital Gobos — $20 (Static) or $50 (Animated)
If you don’t need a physical gobo at all, digital gobos are worth considering. These are high-resolution image or video files designed to be projected using a standard digital projector. No gobo holder, fixture, or disc required.
Static Digital Gobo — $20 A high-resolution still image file of your design, ready to project with any standard projector. This works well for businesses or events that already have AV/projector equipment set up and just need the artwork.
Animated Digital Gobo — $50 A moving, animated design, ideal for more dynamic branding moments, digital signage, or events where a static image isn’t enough of a visual statement.
Digital gobos skip the sizing question entirely, since there’s no physical disc to fit into a fixture. They’re a good fit if you’re already projecting digitally and want something polished without the physical production and shipping time of a metal or glass gobo.
Best for: businesses with existing AV/projector setups, digital signage, quick-turnaround needs, or anyone who wants an animated effect (which isn’t possible with a physical gobo).
What Affects the Final Price?
Gobo Size
For metal gobos the gobo size will not affect the price. However, larger glass gobo sizes (which are less common but used in bigger venue fixtures), may cost more. If you’re not sure what size you need, check your projector’s fixture model and/or find it in our Gobo Sizes guide
Design Complexity
Highly detailed designs with fine line work, small text and intricate illustrations, may require simplification for metal gobos, since very thin details can be fragile when cut from stainless steel. This doesn’t typically change the price, but it may affect production time slightly if revisions are needed.
Material: Metal vs. Glass vs. Digital
Metal is the most affordable physical option and the right choice for the vast majority of orders. Glass is the better choice specifically when you need color in your projection, since metal only produces a black-and-white silhouette effect (a metal gobo can be paired with a colored gel on your projector for a single-color tint, but it can’t reproduce a multi-color design the way glass can). Digital is the most affordable option overall and the right fit if you already have a digital projector and don’t need a physical disc at all.
Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround for custom upload gobos is 2 business days. If you need it faster, the 24-hour rush option adds $20 to the base price. Stock and template/Gobo Creator orders typically ship on our standard production schedule. Digital gobos are delivered within 24 hours as a download.
Which Option Is Right for You?
A quick way to think about it:
- Already have a digital projector and don’t need a physical gobo? → Digital Gobo ($20 static / $50 animated)
- Want something fast and affordable, and a pre-made design works for your event? → Stock Gobo ($17.95)
- Want your name, monogram, or custom text without uploading a file? → Gobo Creator / Template ($39.95)
- Have your own logo or original artwork? → Custom Upload ($49.95, or $69.95 for next-day)
- Need color in your projection? → Glass Gobo (starting at $125)
Ready to Order Your Custom Gobo?
Whatever your budget or event, there’s a gobo option that fits. Digital and stock gobos cover quick, affordable needs. Templates and the Gobo Creator handle most personal and event use cases. Custom uploads take care of original branding and artwork, and glass gobos open the door to color projection for a more premium result.
If you’re not sure which option makes sense for your design, our team is happy to take a look and point you in the right direction before you order.
