Custom Gobo FAQ

THE PROCESS

To order custom gobos you will select custom gobo as an option then select the manufacturer and the size gobo you require. You will then upload your image/ artwork using the browser which will enable you to search for your file via your desktop.

You will then be required to select the material you require and the quantity you need, once you have completed this process with all gobos required, you will be able to confirm payment. Your order will be sent directly to our Sales Administrators. They have an exclusive phone number and email address so that you can be sure of reaching them as quickly as possible.

It is very important to us that you are assured that your order is being dealt with and that you have confidence in the process. Therefore we will contact you within 2 hours of receiving your order. Once you have completed the process online you will be sent the order confirmation and your artwork for approval, however if there are any complications or delays you will be contacted to discuss your order in more detail. Your sales administrator will also discuss the exact nature of your artwork and any technical difficulties they can foresee. However if there are no further requirements your order will be processed and you will receive your artwork for approval before your gobos are manufactured and delivery is scheduled.

Artwork supplied should always be the best available to ensure the most accurate end result. On custom metal gobos 'tagging' is necessary to prevent 'island areas' of metal dropping away so if you have a preference for where tags should be positioned, this should be indicated on a sketch accompanying the original artwork. Otherwise our graphic artists will place tags as discreetly as possible to maintain the integrity of the design. Time spent working on your artwork in preparation for production is considered part of the service and rarely incurs any additional cost.

Artwork is processed the day it is received in readiness for etching. These artworks are subsequently kept on file to enable you to re-order as quickly and efficiently as possible.

ARTWORK & TURNAROUND TIMES

Custom Metal Gobos
If you have “gobo ready” artwork and confirm your order by 10:00am we will ship same day. Orders requiring the Intervention of our graphics department or confirmed after 10:00am will ship next day.

Custom Glass Gobos
     Black & White - Subject to artwork… orders confirmed by 12:00 mid-day, will ship same day. Orders received after mid-day or requiring graphic intervention will ship next day.
     Colour - The manufacture of colour gobos is a more complex procedure so a little more time is required. Orders Received before mid-day will ship in two full working days, Orders received after that will be shipped in three full working days.

Be aware, poor quality artwork may have a detrimental effect on our ability to honour these turn around times. Submitting quality artwork is the best way you can help us help you get your gobos in good time.

Missed the deadline? If you require your gobos faster than our stated turnaround times. Speak to us. We can often manage a special production run to get late orders out same day. But this cannot be guaranteed.

CUSTOM GOBO SIZES

Rosco can provide you with any gobo size to fit most mainstream lanterns. In order to do this we require the following details when the order is placed: manufacturer and lantern type, and/or the overall diameter and image area of the gobo. If however you are unsure of the gobo size you require our customer services consultants will be happy to advise.

ORDERING A CUSTOM GOBO

Rosco is the world’s largest manufacturer of gobos. It has a dedicated and knowledgeable Customer Service Team just for custom gobos. The sole mission of this team is to make the process of getting a custom gobo easy and error-proof. These steps will insure a successful outcome:

1. Place your order on line following the steps, which will be sent to us automatically
2. The artwork can be in almost any form, but designs with very fine details should be no smaller than 300dpi. Remember, a high quality image requires a high quality file to work with. You should consider using Adobe Illustrator for line art (eps or ai formats) and Adobe Photoshop for images that contain gradients or greyscale elements (psd or eps files). For high-quality, full-colour gobos, a good rule of thumb is to submit 1800pix x 1800pix files. Almost any file format such as jpg, psd, ai, tif, pct, or png is acceptable. Do not send WordArt or CAD files.
   If your digital file makes use of fonts, please convert to outlines.
   Scans of drawings or illustrations used for custom steel gobos can be faxed to +44 (0)20 8659 3153
3. Specify what you need and when
   • Indicate the quantity and size gobo you need for each design you submit, as well as the lighting fixture(s) you will use to project them.
   • If you will be using an uncommon fixture, please make sure to indicate size of the Outer Diameter of the gobo as well as the Image Area . You can always check our website for more information about your fixture. Or, contact our Customer Service Team and we’ll assist you in tracking down the correct specifications.
   • Indicate whether the gobo will be a front (most common) or rear projection. 

Some Additional Tips

Steel Standards on Glass — Any Rosco steel gobo designs can be made on black & white glass and shipped to you in just 2 days! This is an ideal solution when using modern moving lights that cannot accept steel gobos.

Keystone and Distortion Correction — When hanging positions make it impossible to project your image without distortion, Rosco artists will assist in adjusting the artwork to compensate. Call for more information.

Rush Services — Sometimes there just isn’t enough time in the production schedule. If your order won’t make our published cut-off times, just ask. We’ll always do whatever possible to make sure you get what you need, when you need it!

Proofs — Want to make sure the gobo we make is exactly as you need? Request that a proof of the gobo be sent to you before manufacturing. We’ll gladly send you the tooling for you to approve. Just keep in mind that any delays in the approval process may delay delivery of your gobo. Proofs are not possible for same day rush or on colour glass rushes.

Colour Matching — While we always endeavour to match colours, as there are many variables outside our control (source, colour temperature, ambient light, projection surface etc.) we cannot guarantee colour fidility. As a reference we match colours at Daylight (6000K).