Wow- you guys are really good at posting while I'm at home asleep!
I think most of you 'seasoned' theatrical folks remember that from 1992-1995
Apollo only made and sold custom gobos. The original name
'Apollo Custom' was derived from our one and only product line- custom steel gobos. Standard steel patterns were introduced in 1995 / 1996.
As black and white glass became available in 1998 (and I have the etched holes in my old work shirts to prove it!), the CMYK colored glass product was introduced at
LDI 1999 in Orlando. Our name changed at this time to
Apollo Design Technology to better reflect the
DMX lighting accessories and peripheral items gaining space within our facility and yearly catalogs.
Gel followed in 2000 with our first 100
gel transmissions, and has grown to 150 colors which include color corrections and diffusions. The
swatchbook itself has transitioned from a mere assortment of color swatches into a full lighting primer, including
color density data, transmission %, Possible Uses/Suggestions, Color Description and Color Interaction Data on the back of each identification slip between the colors.
The cost for us to produce each gel swatchbook is in the neighborhood of $8.75 per gel swatchbook. This is a far cry from a 'few bucks a
book' as some might think. As a manufacturer of all kinds of stuff, we work with a local bookmaker to print the covers and other data, cut and coallate each
gel sheet and identification sheet, drill the holes for the hinge post, and assemble.
We too have been swamped with scrapbookers and photographers finding ads for 'free stuff' on a number of web sites. To keep our costs down, we verify who is who and who does what. We know those of you reading this post are the
real deal because you are here.
Anyway, Melissa and I thank you for the kind words and ask that you let us know how we can help you with the lighting challenges each of you
tackle on a regular basis. We're here because we care.
... But if we're talking pre-purchase 
