A spacing guide for use on a dark space shield of a sputtering chamber includes a horizontal body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a thickness, the horizontal body configured to rest on an end of the dark space shield; a first leg extending laterally from the first end of the horizontal body and configured to rest against an outer surface of the dark space shield; and a second leg extending laterally from the second end of the horizontal body and configured to rest against the inner surface of the shield.