SNAPGRID^® FOR RECTANGULAR SOFTBOXES

The key difference lies in how the shape and attached grid control the light. Square softboxes with a grid give you tight, symmetrical beam control—ideal for headshots or centered compositions where spill needs to be minimized evenly in all directions.

Rectangular softboxes with a grid allow for more directional shaping: they limit spill on the top and bottom more than the sides (or vice versa, depending on orientation). That makes them a great choice for lighting wide subjects, horizontal compositions, or full-body shots where controlled spread and feathering matter.

Both still produce soft light, but with a grid, the shape plays a bigger role in how you sculpt it.

SNAPGRIDS^® attach to both rectangular and octa softboxes to help control and shape your light by reducing spill and directing the beam more precisely.

• Octa Softboxes with SNAPGRIDS^®: The octa’s round shape combined with a SNAPGRID^® produces a soft, even light with a natural, circular catchlight—great for wraparound illumination. The SNAPGRID^® helps maintain the softness while adding directional control, so you get that flattering, broad spread without unwanted spill.

• Rectangular Softboxes with SNAPGRIDS^®: Rectangular softboxes naturally deliver a more focused, directional light. Adding a SNAPGRID^® further tightens the beam, sharpening shadow definition and preventing light from spilling onto the background or other areas. This setup is perfect when you want strong sculpting and precise control.

Which to use? Use a SNAPGRID^® on an octa when you want soft, natural-looking light with gentle falloff but still need to control spill. Choose a SNAPGRID^® on a rectangular softbox when you require more focused shaping and tighter beam control.

The degree of a grid—like 30°, 40°, 50°—refers to the beam angle of the light that’s allowed to pass through the grid.

The Degree = Beam Spread

• A lower number (e.g. 30°) means a narrower beam—more directional, more controlled.
• A higher number (e.g. 50°) means a wider beam—less directional, softer edges.
• 30° = Narrow Spread and Tight control
• 40° = Medium Spread and Balanced, general use e.g. Interviews or portraits
• 50° = Wider Spread and Softer, Subtle shaping, large spaces

If you’re choosing one for your butterfly setup, think: how much spill can you afford?

• Need to control it tightly? Go 30°.
• Need more ambient spread but still shaped? Maybe 50°.

Built from tough, precision-stitched fabric, these grids are made to endure the demands of professional sets—maintaining their shape, tension, and performance over time.

The degree is determined by the size of the cells in the grid, the depth remains constant on all our DoPchoice Grids.

BOX CELL Structure:

Pros:

• More directional control — sharper beam edges
• Less spill
• Tighter geometry — useful for lighting edges, faces, backgrounds
• Often better in windy outdoor setups (if made rigid as all the DoPchoice Grids)

Cons:

• May cast harder shadows if the light is too close
• Less forgiving in flex or odd mounting angles

HONEYCOMB Structure:

Pros:

• Smooth light shaping — gentle transitions, organic falloff
• More flexible material (can conform to slightly curved surfaces)

Cons:

• Less rigid in form (especially on large frames)
• Slightly less precise beam control compared to box cells
• Not ideal when ultra-sharp edge control is needed

SQUARE CELL Pattern:

Pros:

• Offers uniform light control in all directions
• Ideal for creating a balanced, even spread of light
• Provides consistent beam shaping regardless of mounting angle
• Works well with square or symmetrical fixtures

Cons:

• May not offer the same directional precision as a rectangular cell pattern
• Can be less effective for controlling light on longer, narrow fixtures or elongated areas

RECTANGULAR CELL Pattern:

Pros:

• Provides more directional control across one axis (longer or narrower beams)
• Great for targeting specific areas, such as backgrounds, edges, or lighting on elongated surfaces
• Ideal for use with rectangular or large-format fixtures, offering precision without wasting light

Cons:

• May create uneven light distribution if not aligned properly
• Less uniform than square cells in certain setups

Disadvantages Interlocking system:

• Less structural rigidity — the grid can sag or deform more easily, especially on large frames (8x8+).
• Edges are weaker — can fray or come apart under tension or over time.
• Setup is fiddlier — you might spend time aligning cells or untangling it.
• Less durable long-term — they don’t like wind or rough handling.

Advantages of the fully sewn cells in every DoPchoice Grid:

• Very stable and precise cell shape — better beam control and cleaner shadows
• Fast setup — unfolds cleanly, no fiddling
• Stronger in wind and movement
• Much more durable — lasts for years, even in rental environments