Custom Gobos & Standard Gobo Patterns

Custom & Standard Gobo Projection in Kansas City

XS Lighting & Sound supplies custom gobos and standard gobo patterns for theatrical lighting, wedding reception lighting, corporate event branding, architectural projection, and decorative lighting in Kansas City, MO. We source gobos from Apollo Design and Rosco and can fulfill custom orders for steel, glass, and multi-color patterns in all standard sizes.

What Is a Gobo?

The exact derivation of the term gobo is unclear, though many in theatrical lighting believe it stands for “GOes Before Optics.” A gobo is an object placed inside or in front of a light source to control the pattern of the emanating light and shadow.

In photography, the term refers to a flag or apparatus placed in the path of light to cast a shadow or texture. In theatrical lighting, a gobo is a pattern placed inside the gate at the focal point between the source and the lens. The projected pattern can be in sharp focus to produce a desired image, or in soft focus to create a texture.

Custom Gobo Applications

Custom gobos are one of the most versatile tools in event lighting. Common applications include:

Wedding gobos allow couples to project their names, monograms, or custom designs onto dance floors, walls, and ceilings. Corporate event gobos project company logos, product branding, or event hashtags for conferences, galas, and trade shows. Theatrical gobos create scenic textures like foliage, windows, cityscapes, and abstract patterns for stage productions. Architectural gobo projection illuminates building exteriors, interior feature walls, and public spaces with branded or decorative patterns.

Steel vs. Glass Gobos

Steel gobos (also called metal gobos) are the more cost-effective option. They work well for single-color patterns, simple logos, text, and bold graphic shapes. Steel gobos are cut from thin stainless steel and are compatible with all standard ellipsoidal fixtures. They are durable and produce clean, sharp images when properly focused.

Glass gobos are required when your design includes multiple colors, photographic images, color gradients, or fine detail. Glass gobos are far more durable than most people expect. They are the preferred choice for corporate logos with specific brand colors, full-color images, and designs with flowing scripts or thin line work. Custom glass gobos are available in one-color, two-color, three-color, and full-color options.

Gobo Sizes

Gobos are available in many sizes, with A-size being the largest standard size used in common theatrical fixtures. A-size gobos are the most popular for creating a soft texture with the luminaire output.

B-size is preferred for projecting images in sharp focus, as it is challenging to achieve sharp focus from edge to center across the entire A-size pattern with most theatrical luminaires. If you are unsure which size you need, provide your luminaire brand and model when ordering and we will recommend the correct size.

Gobo Projection with LED Luminaires

Incandescent luminaires can produce undesired halation, where light spills beyond the desired image area. Bench focusing the fixture is the best solution. If that isn’t enough, you can use a donut in the color frame holder, though this will reduce output. In an ETC Source 4, the longer filament of the 750 Watt lamp creates more halation; the 575 Watt lamp may produce better results.

Because of the flat emitter array, LED luminaires tend to produce clean, sharp gobo images. Running the barrel out of focus for a softer image creates a rainbow halation. Best practice is to first achieve sharp focus and then use a light diffusion to soften the projected image.

Gobo Rental for Events in Kansas City

In addition to gobo sales, XS Lighting & Sound offers gobo projection as part of our event production services in Kansas City. We can supply the gobos, the fixtures, and the technical crew to set up and operate custom gobo projection for your wedding, corporate event, gala, or architectural lighting project. Contact us for a rental quote that includes everything you need.

How to Order Gobos from XS Lighting & Sound

Visit Apollo Design or Rosco to browse standard gobo patterns. Ordering from a single producer will save shipping cost. Apollo requires a minimum of six metal gobos for drop shipment.

When ordering, please include the manufacturer’s number, pattern name, and desired size. For custom gobos, email your artwork to sales@xslighting.com and we will provide a quote and turnaround estimate. Custom steel gobos typically ship within 5-7 business days; custom glass gobos may take 2-3 weeks depending on complexity.