Any graphics artist worth their salt nowadays needs a graphics tablet. That way you can do work both at home and on the go. Thus expanding your ability to be more productive and to be able to show your work off to people you meet while you are out.
With so much choice on the market, it can be a little intimidating when it comes to finding the right graphics tablet for your budget and your needs.
There are a few things you can look for, though, that will help guarantee you ultimately end up with the perfect tablet at the perfect price.
The most important thing to decide before you make a purchase is the best tablet size that will work for you. Graphics tablets come in a variety of sizes, with the price increasing as the tablet size gets bigger.
The common sizes at the moment are 4″ by 5″, 6″ by 8″, and 9″ by 12″. The medium one will generally give you the work space you need while still fitting comfortably into a laptop bag.
Remember, though, the larger the tablet is the further you have to move your arms across its surface as you draw. When working on an intricate project that can quickly become exhausting, so a smaller tablet may well work better for you.
A solid, well-designed pen is also necessary if your graphics tablet is going to be able to produce the quality of work you need. Look for a tablet with a pen that does not need a heavy battery as that can make it more difficult to use for a prolonged period of time.
Having an attached pen instead of a battery operated one is also sometimes preferable simply because that makes the pen less easy to lose.
Pens that have an eraser are also vital if you want to make correcting your work just as easy as drawing it.
When it comes to pressure sensitivity, choosing the right level can make or break your graphic art career.
That is because a graphics tablet that allows higher levels of pressure sensitivity will allow you to draw many more varieties of line thickness throughout all your artwork, as well as improve the depth of color you can achieve.
Pressure sensitivity can be found in 512, 1024, or 2024. The middle of the range is usually the most useful, especially as you will only need the higher level for extremely intricate work you may not do often.
Price point is important as well, especially if you plan on making a living with your graphics tablet, as the higher the price the more features it will have.
Be honest with yourself about what you truly need, though, and do not splurge on a $2,000 dollar tablet when one priced at $200 will do the same job.
Choosing a graphics tablet with a micro-USB jack is also generally more useful than buying one with a bulky cable wired into it. Remember you will probably be carrying the tablet around with you and the added weight and bulk of a wired-in cable will quickly become annoying.
Price should also be a consideration, particularly if this will be your first graphics tablet.
In most cases, you can easily start out with a small tablet at around $100 and then upgrade at a later date if you know you will be using it a lot.
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