Gobo lights offer a variety of uses from displaying your company logo at a trade show to projecting a monogram on the dance floor at a wedding. From theater performances to dance clubs, gobos are versatile and can be used on nearly any surface. However, depending on what type of design, logo or image you want to create, you may want to create a custom glass gobo rather than a standard metal one.
Glass gobos are used for projecting color, gradients and more complex designs. They are made from glass disks with dichroic coating, which is laser- or chemically etched. Color gobos are made from up to four layers of glass, separately etched and then assembled together. This allows for advanced customization and a wider variety of uses. However, glass gobos are also more expensive, and are generally used for specific purposes, rather than general use in numerous events. Below are a few more differences between glass and metal gobos, and when to select each:
Color – Glass gobos also allow for color, which improves logo and image quality and usage. Think in terms of color versus black and white photography – a metal gobo is a more standard, single color (white) image, while glass gobos allow for vibrant shades to be included in the image, which is excellent for specific uses but not always necessary. A single color can be added to a metal gobo by applying a gel in front of a theatrical light or stacking a dichroic color filter with the gobo.
Design accuracy – Just like a stencil, metal gobos require tabbing, to hold enclosed artwork areas in such as the inside of the letter "O". Also there are physical limits to the metal structures of metal gobos. Glass gobos allow for more intricate details in your custom gobo design and almost always faithfully resemble the original artwork.
Expense – Metal gobos are cheaper to create, which allows more of them to be made. This allows for more variety, and a broader field of use. Metal Stock Gobos can be upgraded to glass at lower cost than custom glass gobos plus there are many Stock Glass Gobos available as well.
Heat resistance – Glass gobos are more heat resistant than metal ones, which generally means they don't "wear out" and warp in hot fixtures like metal gobos do.
Fragility – Glass gobos are heavier and fragile, making metal gobos easier to transport and handle.
Variety – If you're looking to switch gobos often during a performance or event, metal gobos may be the better choice because they are easy to carry and switch out.
Whatever your intended use is, glass and metal gobos each have their advantages. Gobos can also be used on nearly any surface, and without damaging walls or fixtures, making them more versatile to use in a variety of settings. Consider what you need to use them for, what your budget it is, and how you can optimize lighting using either, or both, styles of gobos. You can also ask more questions regarding variety and the capabilities of each kind of gobo by contacting us at Gobo Source. Our experts can help you create custom designs as well, ensuring you have the right gobo image for any event, be it a concert or a business opening.
