The gobo is the slide inside the projector, and the material decides what your logo can actually show. Glass handles grey, gradients and fine detail; metal is cheaper and tougher but only ever black-and-white. Pick before you design the artwork, not after.
How each one is made
Metal gobos are etched or laser-cut from a steel disc — light passes through the cut holes. Glass gobos are engraved or coated on optical glass, so they can block partial light to create greys and gradients.
What each one can show
This is the real divide.
| Glass | Metal |
|---|
| Grey tones | Yes | No |
| Gradients / photo | Yes | No |
| Fine hairlines | Yes (with care) | Loses them |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Durability | Good if handled | Very tough |
Artwork implications
A script monogram or a logo with thin strokes survives better on glass with a careful engraving. A bold, blocky mark is happy on metal and costs less. Design the artwork to the medium.
Heat and lifespan
Metal shrugs off heat and is the safe choice near a hot lamp. Glass needs a heat-resistant substrate; a cheap dyed disc can craze after a season of thermal cycles.
Budget and reorders
Metal is the value pick for high-volume, simple marks. Glass costs more up front but is the only route to photographic or tonal logos.
How to choose
If the mark has any grey, gradient or fine detail, glass. If it is a bold solid shape and you reorder often, metal.
Common questions
Can a metal gobo show grey?
No. Metal is binary — light passes or it does not. Any tonal logo needs glass.
Which lasts longer?
Metal is tougher under heat and handling. Glass is fine but more fragile and sensitive to cheap dyed coatings.
Is glass worth the extra cost?
If your logo has gradients, photos or thin strokes, yes — metal simply cannot reproduce them.
Do both fit the same holder?
Often, but check the diameter and image area. A 53mm glass gobo may expose less than its full diameter.
Why does my glass gobo crack?
Usually heat from a non-resistant substrate or a thermal shock on install. Specify heat-resistant glass for hot optical paths.
Which for a wedding monogram?
Glass, almost always — script fonts and fine lines need the tonal range glass gives.
Need help specifying this?
Send us the throw distance, the image size you need and your artwork — we will recommend the right model and quote within 24 hours.
