Save Money With Alternative and Affordable Drawing Tablets That Still Helps You Draw Digitally!

Drawing tablets are nothing new. However, they are a essential tool that allows you to draw and paint on the computer effectively! We will look at a few properties that define good digital tablets for drawing as not everyone requires a WACOM tablet.

Regarding WACOM tablets in general, these the most commonly used drawing tablets it has established itself as the standard for individuals and professionals alike but are fairly expensive!

Depending on what your job or hobby requires, these tablets are usually enough to get the job done. What makes them so special? Well, there are a few properties that make them stand out.

For those looking for cheaper alternatives, these are the properties you want to look for in digital tablets if you are in the market for one if a WACOM is not your best fit.

drawing tablets

1. Pressure sensitivity

Perhaps the number one thing to look out for, pressure sensitivity is super important for drawing on the computer properly.

The original drawing tablets had a pressure sensitivity setting of 256 levels of pressure sensitivity. I had one of these tablets. While they were good for their time, quality of the digital art market requires better sensitivity ratings.

Over the last decade or so, pressure sensitivity has more than doubled. First it was 256, then it became 512, then it jumped to 1024, and finally, with the introduction of WACOM's Intuos4 tablet, the pressure sensitivity shot up to 2048!

Moreover, the technology will filter down to less expensive models. For example, WACOM has discontinued their Graphire series tablets and replaced it with the Bamboo model.

This particular model has 1024 levels of sensitivity of the older Intuos3 tablets but has the price of the model Graphire it replaces.

So make sure to look at sensitivity ratings for any new drawing tablets!

2. Weight and feel

From previous experience, it is a good idea to get a heavy board. The advantage is that it allows you draw continuously without the board shifting all the time.

There is another advantage that you won't know until you actually own a light board. Since it shifts around a lot, the rubber feet that holds the board down will get shifted out of its position within time.

With a heavier board, this will reduce that problem considerably.

Next, you need to look at the grip of the stylus. Depending on whether or not it has a built in battery, it may be heavy. Again, this will add to the overall feel with the increased weight.

Manufacturers will usually include a detailed weight rating of their products so make sure to read up on those!

As some drawing tablets are hard to find in art supply stores, in partnership with Amazon.com, the 2d Digital Art Guide has put up some of the best drawing tablets currently available!

By buying from a trusted and established brand, this should give you confidence in the quality of the product improve your artistic foundations and create a professional portfolio to obtain extra income!

Note: Use the scroll bar above to scroll to the right and see your Amazon Wish List; search for other products; or see product reviews.

3. Accessories and interface

While not as important as pressure sensitivity and weight, accessories included inside the product can really help with long term usability.

Most tablets will include extra nibs should your drawing tip of your stylus gets worn down over time.

You may want to look at third party accessories that cater towards the actual contact pad of your tablet. From experience, no matter what type of space-age coating the tablet has, it will scratch!

Make sure your product has good support for protecting the contact pad when it is out of warranty!

As for interface, unless you are a customization freak, you probably would not use it as often as you like.

Still, look to see if the tablet has extra buttons or functions to help you out in case you need to customize specific shortcuts.

Also, make sure the tablet is compatible with your particular operating system (Windows, MAC, Linux, etc). It would suck if you bought one that your computer cannot support!

4. Drawing tablet sizes

One of the advantages of a drawing tablet is the portability aspect of it. Be careful when you select a size because not only does the pricing increase, but you also need to factor in two or three inches extra for the outer padding of the tablet.

Drawing tablets can range from a variety of sizes. The smallest one with an active screen is usually 4x6 inches wide while larger active screens can go up to 12x19 (even larger yet if it is a built-in monitor screen). Accounting for the outer padding, you're looking at a very big tablet!

On the subject of monitor screens, I highly DO NOT recommend getting a monitor screen tablet. It is fine if you're a photographer, but as an artist, it becomes a liability more than a benefit.

The main reason is heat. As an artist, you will be drawing a lot on it. It will get annoying over time when your hand becomes all sweaty. To resolve it, you have to turn off the tablet once in a while�and that does defeat the purpose of a monitor tablet, doesn't it?

The second is portability. Since it is a monitor tablet, you will need a power source connected to it fairly often. While you can bring it on field trips here and there, it will most likely remain in your office the majority of the time. Might as well save that money and get a good monitor instead.

The third reason is price. As it currently stands, it is cheaper to buy a really good monitor and a tablet separately than it is to buy a monitor tablet.

With that in mind, here are a few tablet companies that you may want to explore and see what they offer: WACOM, UC-Logic, AIPTEK, GTCO CalComp, as well as other local based manufacturers like Dynalink, Genius, and KB Gear.

Again, this is just to help with research so you know what is out there. I hope you enjoy this brief summary and hope you will get the right tablet for your needs!