Do you offer glass gobos?
Yes. We manufacture high-quality stainless steel metal gobos at our facility in Tualatin, Oregon, and we also offer custom glass gobos for projects that need full-color projections, gradients, or highly detailed artwork.
The difference comes down to how each is made: metal gobos are laser-cut, so light passes through open areas of the design, meaning they project as a single-color silhouette, ideal for monograms, logos, and most event lighting. Glass gobos are produced differently, which is what allows them to reproduce full color, soft gradients, and finer detail that a cut-metal design can't hold.
Metal is generally the more durable and cost-effective choice for most applications; glass is worth it when color or intricate detail matters most. Visit our Glass Gobos page to see examples and request a custom design.
What's the difference between regular stainless steel and black-coated?
Both options are laser-cut from the same 304 stainless steel, so projection quality is identical either way. The coating only affects the metal's appearance, not the light passing through the cut design. Regular stainless steel has a natural brushed-metal look. Black-coated is a finish applied after cutting, giving the gobo a matte black surface when it's not lit.
Many customers choose black-coated specifically for presentation purposes. For example, if the gobo itself will be seen or handed over as a keepsake (like a wedding gift), the black finish tends to look more polished sitting on a table or shelf than bare stainless steel does. If the gobo will only ever be seen projected, the finish is purely a matter of preference.
What file formats do you accept?
We can work with almost any common format. Vector files are ideal (AI, PDF, EPS, SVG) because they scale to any gobo size without losing quality and produce the cleanest cut paths. If you only have a raster file (JPG or PNG), we can still use it as long as the resolution is high enough. Aim for at least 300 dpi at the final gobo size so fine detail doesn't get lost or blurred during cutting.
If your artwork uses text, outline the fonts before sending it over to avoid font-substitution issues. It also helps to remove gradients, shadows, or other effects where possible, since a laser-cut gobo can only reproduce solid open-versus-closed areas, not shading.
What's the standard gobo size?
There isn't one universal "standard." Gobo holders vary in physical dimensions from one lighting fixture manufacturer to the next, so the correct size genuinely depends on what projector or fixture you're using. We maintain a compatibility database covering most major brands and models: if you share your projector's brand and model at checkout, we'll match it to the correct size for you automatically.
If you'd rather look it up yourself first, our Gobo Size & Compatibility Guide covers the most common fixtures and their required dimensions, including the size codes (like A, B, M, and D) used across our product listings.
What do the measurements in a gobo size mean?
Every gobo size is listed with two numbers: the outer diameter and the maximum image (etch) diameter. The outer diameter is the full size of the metal disc. This is what has to physically fit inside your projector's gobo holder, so it needs to match your fixture exactly. The image diameter is smaller, and it's the maximum area within that disc where your actual design can be cut.
For example, a 26.8 mm × 24 mm gobo has a disc that's 26.8 mm across overall, with the projected artwork itself constrained to a 24 mm circle inside that. Getting the outer diameter right is what matters most for fit; the image diameter just tells you how much room your design has to work with.
I don't see my gobo size in your options. Can you cut it?
Yes, we can cut any gobo size, not just the ones listed as presets. If your exact size isn't in the dropdown, select "Other" during checkout and enter your dimensions directly. If you don't know your exact size but do know your projector's brand and model, just provide that instead and we'll look up the correct dimensions for you rather than making you guess.
This applies to both stock and fully custom designs, so unusual or older fixtures aren't a problem. Reach out to support@machineartist.com if you want to confirm sizing before ordering.
What is a digital copy?
A digital copy is a high-resolution JPG or PNG of your gobo design, meant to be used with a digital or LED video projector instead of (or alongside) a physical metal gobo, for example by loading it onto a laptop or USB drive connected to the fixture.
It's a popular add-on for DJs, venues, and studios that want the same projected look as a traditional gobo without needing a physical gobo holder on-site, or that want a backup in case a physical piece is misplaced before an event. It can be added to most custom gobo orders as an option alongside the physical piece, not only purchased on its own.
When will my order arrive?
Our $39.95 custom metal gobos typically ship the next business day after you approve the artwork proof, a 24-hour production turnaround once the design is finalized. From there, delivery time depends on the shipping method chosen at checkout.
Our free shipping option (First-Class Mail) usually takes up to 5 business days in transit within the U.S. once it leaves our facility. If you're working against an event date, faster paid shipping options are available at checkout, and it's worth choosing one if your timeline is tight, since the 24-hour production window only starts once your artwork is approved, not at the moment you place the order.
Ready to order? Start here: Custom Gobos
