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Design & Artwork Guide

Designing and submitting the right artwork is the first step in creating a crisp, professional custom steel gobo. This guide explains the file types, resolution requirements, and best practices for preparing your artwork so your gobo looks perfect when projected.

Preparing Your Artwork

We accept artwork from nearly all sources, but the best results come from vector-based files.
  • Recommended file formats: EPS or Adobe Illustrator (AI).

These formats use line-art instead of pixels, which ensures shapes, logos, and text remain sharp with no pixilation when enlarged.

  • Bitmap formats such as JPG, GIF, or BMP can be used, but they often lose clarity when scaled.
By providing line-art instead of pixel-based artwork, your custom steel gobo design will have crisp, clean edges that look professional when projected.

Using Photographic Images

If you don’t have vector artwork, we can accept high-resolution photographic images such as JPEG or PNG files.

If you don’t have vector artwork, we can accept high-resolution photographic images such as JPEG or PNG files.
  • Please provide the highest resolution available.
  • Our desired resolution is 1200 DPI.
  • Lower resolutions can work, but images with poor quality (such as logos copied from websites) will appear pixilated and may require redrawing. In that case, an artwork fee will apply.

Resolution & Dimensions

To ensure the best quality, follow these artwork specifications:
  • Maximum resolution required:

1200 DPI with dimensions of 60mm x 60mm

  • Alternative option:

72 DPI JPG at 1000mm x 1000mm

Supplying artwork within these specifications ensures your custom steel gobo projects with maximum clarity and detail.

How Artwork Preparation Affects Price & Turnaround

If you don’t have vector artwork, we can accept high-resolution photographic images such as JPEG or PNG files.

Best File Formats:

  • EPS and Adobe Illustrator (AI) files are strongly recommended because they retain artwork as line art rather than pixels. This ensures crisp, clean edges with no pixilation, even when the design is enlarged.

Acceptable Alternatives:

  • If high resolution is provided, JPEG or PNG files can be used. For best results, the desired resolution is 1200 DPI.
  • Lower resolution files (such as images taken from websites) may appear blurry or pixilated. In these cases, the artwork will need to be redrawn, which adds time to the turnaround and may include an artwork fee.

Why It Matters for Turnaround:

  • Vector artwork can move straight into production, making it possible to meet tight deadlines.
  • Poor-quality files require extra preparation, which can delay your order by one or more business days.

Why It Matters for Pricing:

  • Redrawing or cleaning up artwork adds design labor, which can increase your order cost.
  • Submitting production-ready files keeps your steel gobo affordable and ensures you only pay for what you need.
By properly preparing your artwork, you can keep your gobo budget-friendly and ensure the fastest possible turnaround.

Shipping Options & Delivery Expectations

Once your steel gobo is produced, the next step is getting it to you on time for your event. At ProGobo, we offer several shipping options designed to fit different budgets and deadlines. Understanding these options will help you plan your order more effectively.

Standard Shipping

All steel gobo orders include free standard shipping, which typically takes 7–14 business days for delivery. This option is best if you’re planning well in advance and don’t have a tight deadline.

Expedited Shipping

If your event is right around the corner, expedited shipping options are available at checkout. Depending on your location, you can choose faster delivery services to receive your gobo in just a few days after production. This is often the preferred option for weddings, corporate events, or performances with fixed dates.

International Shipping

For customers outside the U.S., international shipping is available. Delivery times vary by country and may be affected by customs processing. We recommend allowing extra time if ordering internationally.
How Shipping Interacts with Production Time
It’s important to remember that shipping time begins after production is complete. For example, if your gobo qualifies for same-day production but you choose standard shipping, you’ll still need to allow up to two weeks for delivery. Pairing expedited shipping with fast production ensures your gobo arrives exactly when you need it.

By planning your order around production turnaround and shipping speed, you can avoid last-minute stress and guarantee your gobo is ready for your big event.

Rush Orders & Event Deadlines

Events don’t always allow for long lead times, and that’s where ProGobo’s rush order options make all the difference. If you’re a DJ preparing for a weekend wedding, or an event planner facing a last-minute corporate request, our rush services ensure you can still get a custom steel gobo on time.

Same-Day Production

If your order is placed and artwork proof is approved by 3:00 PM Eastern, Monday through Friday, ProGobo can typically produce and ship your steel gobo the very same day. This option is invaluable for clients who find themselves with an urgent deadline and no room for delays.

Next-Day & Expedited Options

Even if you miss the same-day cutoff, we offer next-day and expedited production depending on your order. Combined with overnight shipping, this means you can often receive your gobo in as little as 1–2 days from approval.

When Rush Production Makes Sense
Rush production is most often chosen by:
  • Wedding DJs who need a custom monogram within a few days.
  • Corporate event planners preparing branded projections for a last-minute trade show booth.
  • Theatrical productions adding a logo or scene element just before opening night.
Trade-Offs to Consider
  • Rush production and shipping fees increase the total cost of your order.
  • If you have more time, standard production with free shipping is the most budget-friendly route.
  • Submitting clean, vector artwork reduces preparation time and helps you meet rush deadlines without added delays.
With our rush services, even last-minute requests can be handled professionally.

How to Save Time & Money on Your Order

Ordering a steel gobo doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With a little preparation, you can streamline the process, reduce costs, and avoid unnecessary delays. Here are a few practical ways to save both time and money on your next order.

Submit Vector Artwork

The single best way to avoid extra fees and delays is to send your design in a vector format such as EPS or Adobe Illustrator (AI). Vector files allow the production team to cut your gobo immediately, without having to redraw or clean up pixelated images. This not only speeds up turnaround but also ensures the sharpest possible projection.

Order Early When Possible

Rush orders are a great safety net, but they do increase the overall cost. By planning your gobo order in advance, you can take advantage of standard turnaround times and free shipping. This approach is especially useful for weddings and conferences, where the event date is known months ahead of time.

Consider Ordering Multiples

If you expect to use the same gobo for several events, ordering duplicates in one batch can lower your per-unit price and save you from having to pay shipping again in the future. DJs, churches, and theaters often benefit from having a backup gobo on hand.

Double-Check Fixture Sizes

One of the most common reasons for reprints is ordering the wrong gobo size. Before placing your order, verify the size required by your lighting fixture. If unsure, leave a note with your fixture model, and the ProGobo team will confirm the right fit. Getting it right the first time avoids delays and keeps your budget on track.

By following these steps, you’ll maximize the value of your steel gobo order while ensuring your gobo is ready on time and within budget.

Real-World Use Cases & Buyer Scenarios

Steel gobos are one of the most versatile and practical lighting solutions available, which is why they are trusted by so many different types of clients. Looking at real-world scenarios can help you decide whether steel is the right choice for your event needs.

DJs and Wedding Monograms

Wedding receptions are one of the most common settings where steel gobos are used. DJs frequently project a couple’s initials, names, or a custom monogram onto the dance floor or wall. Because these designs are often simple and bold, steel gobos deliver excellent results at a lower cost than glass.

The quick turnaround also makes them perfect for DJs who may receive last-minute requests from couples eager to personalize their big day.

Corporate Events and Branding

Event planners working with companies often need gobos for conferences, galas, or product launches. A steel gobo can project a company logo, tagline, or event name with clarity and professionalism. For larger events that require multiple fixtures, ordering several steel gobos at once is more cost-effective than glass, helping planners stay within budget while still achieving an impressive branded look.
Houses of Worship and Theatrical Productions
Churches, theaters, and other performance venues also benefit from steel gobos. Religious services often use text or symbolic imagery, which are perfectly suited for steel’s crisp, high-contrast cutouts. Theatrical productions, meanwhile, rely on gobos to create dramatic effects and stage visuals.

Steel’s durability makes them especially valuable in these settings, where fixtures may run for long periods of time and be reused for multiple shows.
Mobile Entertainers and Touring Productions
Mobile DJs, rental companies, and touring acts need equipment that can withstand frequent use and transport. Steel gobos are rugged, heat-resistant, and less fragile than glass, making them an ideal solution. The combination of durability and affordability ensures they can be replaced easily if needed without driving up long-term costs.

In each of these scenarios, the balance of affordability, speed, and durability makes steel gobos the practical choice. Buyers who need a custom solution quickly — and who want it to last through multiple uses — will find steel gobos to be a smart investment.

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