If you are thinking about buying a drawing tablet for use with Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Here are the best XPPEN tablets.
It’s important to do a little research on what’s available. Should you choose a large or medium screen? Do you need a specific number of hotkeys to improve your productivity? Are you looking for a tablet with OR use an external display and just want the tablet as an interface device? The best designed tablets will depend on your specific requirements.
In this article, we concentrate on tablets that connect to your PC or Mac for use with Photoshop or Illustrator. We share our selection of tablets and help you choose the one that suits you best to your needs.
The 6 Best Tablets for Working with Photoshop and Illustrator
Many drawing tablets are available. However, whether you’re a graphic designer, a cartoonist, caricaturist or illustrator, here are some that stand out
Comparison of the 6 most popular tablets
Artist 15.6 Pro
The Artist 15.6 Pro stands out because it has a great screen, but it’s still small enough that you can take it everywhere.
A great display: The tablet has a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a Resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
A battery-free pencil: When you have a battery-free pencil, you don’t have to worry about Charge.
Pressure sensitization: the pen has 8,192 levels of sensitivity to pressure, allowing you to fully control the thickness and opacity of your lines.
Inclination: You’ll have a tilt sensitivity of up to 60 degrees, which It is very useful for creating shadows or textures.
Express keys: You’ll have eight customizable quickkeys and a red dial. This makes it easy to quickly access all the features you use frequently.
Compatibility: Artist 15.6 Pro works with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Painter on Windows and Mac operating systems.
Affordable: This drawing tablet has great features and costs approximately $258.99.
Artist 24 Pro
The Artist 24 Pro stands out for its powerful features.
A large screen: The tablet has a 23.8-inch Full HD display. Has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels.
A pencil without a battery: You won’t have to worry about loading the pen with a stylus without battery.
Pressure sensitivity: The stylus offers 8,192 levels of sensitivity to the pressure, allowing you to better control the thickness and opacity of the lines.
Inclination: You’ll get tilt sensitivity of up to 60 degrees.
Express Keys: There’s a whopping 20 customizable quickkeys and a red marking. This helps speed up projects, especially if you’re working to tight deadlines.
Compatibility: The Artist 24 Pro is compatible with Windows operating systems and Mac. It can be used with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Painter.
Adjustable Stand: The tablet comes with an adjustable stand that you can adjust to your preferred job position.
Artist Pro 16
Artist Pro 16 is very popular due to its high quality.
The X3 stylus smart chip: The pen is positioned precisely and it works stably.
Tilt: It has the ability to tilt up to 60 degrees.
Compatibility: Artist Pro 16 works with Mac and Windows computers. It gives you great comfort.
Express Keys: You can choose from eight customizable express keys to increase productivity in their work.
Pressure sensitization: the pen has 8192 levels of sensitivity to pressure. Even with fast strokes, lag isn’t an issue.
Drawing Area: The drawing area of the screen is of average size of 15.4 Inch.
Star 06 Wireless
The Star 06 Wireless has the same features than the Star 06C with cable. The only difference, however, is that this tablet is Wireless. This means that you can use the tablet wirelessly via a USB receiver, which provides more flexibility and freedom of movement when illustrating.
Deco 03 Wireless
The La Deco 03 Wireless is an excellent tablet basic. Here are some of its main features:
Wireless connectivity: The tablet can be used wirelessly at via a USB receiver.
Drawing Area: The tablet offers a medium-sized drawing area of 10 x 5.62 Inch.
Battery-free pen: The battery-free stylus allows you to work for long hours without have to carry the pen.
Pressure sensitivity: The pencil has 8,192 levels of sensitivity to the pressure, is sensitive and has no noticeable delay. Even with fast strokes, the delay It’s not a problem.
Shortcut keys: The tablet offers six shortcut keys Customizable.
Red dial: you can program the touch ring and use it to zoom, scroll and adjust the brush size.
Compatibility: The tablet is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. You can use it with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Painter.
Deco 02
The La Deco 02 is the most economical drawing tablet. The main features of the Deco 02 include:
Drawing Area: The tablet features a medium-sized drawing area of 10 x 5.63 inches with the feel of a natural drawing surface.
Battery-free pen: The battery-free stylus means you don’t have to charge the stylus.
Pencil-shaped pen: The pen is shaped like a pencil, with six sides. This design prevents the pen from rolling on the surface. It also includes an eraser.
Pressure sensitivity: The pencil has 8,192 levels of sensitivity to the pressure.
Shortcut keys: The tablet offers six shortcut keys Customizable.
Compatibility: The Deco 02 is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. It can be used with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Painter.
Dial:The dial can be used to pan, zoom and resize the paintbrush.
When buying a drawing tablet for Photoshop or Illustrator, important things to keep in mind
When you’ve been drawing or illustrating digitally for a while, you’ll start to get an idea of the things that more you value. When looking for the best tablet for Photoshop or Illustrator, these are some of the most important features you should consider.
Display vs. No screen
You may be interested in buying a display tablet if you’re a professional artist or designer graphic artist who frequently works with digital art. Display tablets provide a more natural drawing because they tend to imitate traditional pencil and paper better. In addition, you can see your work as you create it, which will help you adjust it more quickly. Do you work in jobs that require high precision? If so, a display tablet could be one more alternative Advantageous.
On the other hand, consider a screenless tablet if you’re new to this or if you enjoy digital art like pastime. Tablets without a screen are usually cheaper than tablets with a screen, but they are still They can offer many of the same features as their more expensive competitors. If you already have a screen or A high-quality laptop, tablets without a screen can also be a good option.
Compatibility
Compatibility with Adobe’s suite is crucial because you want your drawing tablet to work perfectly with the software you will be using. It’s always best to check compatibility with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator before buying a drawing tablet.
Before making a purchase, you should also consider whether your connection types and computer ports are Compatible. Although most modern drawing tablets can connect to the computer via USB or USB-C, some models offer a wireless or Bluetooth connection.
Before buying a drawing tablet, check if your computer has ports and connection types Compatible. You may need to buy an adapter. The computer’s operating system is another compatibility factor that must be taken into account. Some drawing tablets only work with systems specific operations.
Screen size
The size of the workspace can have a significant impact on the drawing experience because it can affect comfort, accuracy, and overall control. Most Photoshop applications and Illustrator are visible thanks to a large display area. You can see everything at the same time, which means you don’t have to keep scrolling down to access some of the drawing or painting you need.
Also consider the type of work you’ll be doing and the size of the files you’ll be working with. It’s possible that you need a larger workspace to fit the size of the canvas if you work with large size. On the other hand, a compact drawing tablet with a medium-sized screen may be more useful if you work with smaller files or need to travel with a tablet.
Last but not least, you’ll want a large screen if your artwork includes a lot of details, such as drawing the details of someone’s eye.
Types of Pencil
Passive EMR (Electromagnetic Resonance) stylus pens with a digital chip are the two types Main. The way they process signals is the most significant difference between them.
The passive electromagnetic resonance (EMR) probeThe passive probe of electromagnetic resonance imaging (EMR) produces continuous analog signals that are of a and use a variety of voltage levels to represent different levels of pressure, tilt angles and other parameters. The tablet transforms these continuous signals into digital values that the computer processes.
The EMR probe digital chip:The EMR probe’s digital chip converts the signals generated by the probe in digital format. In addition, the parameters are represented by binary values from 0 to 1. The computer processes them without the need for additional conversion.
XPPen provides both types. The analog circuitry used in our passive EMR styluses They provide exceptional pressure sensitivity at very reasonable prices. These EMR pens work without batteries or chargers. Instead, they interact with the electromagnetic field generated by the tablet. The Favorite styluses are because they are more accurate and sensitive to pressure than others.
XPPen’s new X3 Smart Chip pen has 10 times the IAF sensitivity of a regular pencil, allowing you to draw with a much more natural feel. Is It is truly the next level and offers a number of advantages, including handy access keys Greater pressure sensitivity, and greater stability and accuracy.
The X3 Smart Chip pen is compatible with Deco L, Deco LW, Deco M, Deco MW and Artist 10/12/13/16 tablets (2nd Generation)
Sensitivity and precision
The pencil is more sensitive to pressure changes with higher pressure levels. This is particularly crucial if you need to create careful jobs. Most of today’s drawing tablets offer up to 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. You can draw with a small or a lot of hands with a sensitive pencil.
For smooth, precise lines, look for a pen that also offers a high level of stroke accuracy without Delays. The pen’s sensitivity to tilt and rotation is another feature you should consider. If you wear a lot of hats and brushstrokes, this is crucial.
Customizable controls
The physical buttons on the tablet that can be programmed to execute particular commands are known such as soft keys and buttons. These buttons can be adjusted to suit your preferences individuals, making it easier to access the tools you use most. The model determines the number of programmable keys and buttons. Some tablets only offer six; others offer 16 or more.
Many drawing tablets come with software that allows you to create custom shortcuts, which It makes it easier and faster to access the commands you use a lot. Choose a drawing tablet with multiple Customizable controls if you care about working fast.
If you work with programs like Photoshop and Illustrator, you need to integrate software. Photoshop, Illustrator and Corel Painter are common programs for modern drawing tablets. However, make sure that the Drawing tablet is compatible if you use other software.
Price: Brand and quality
Research the brand and quality you’ll receive for your budget. Although it may be outside of your Budget Buying a drawing tablet with a lot of features, that doesn’t mean you have to settle. An inexpensive drawing tablet can be found after doing a lot of research.
Guarantee
Buying a one-year warranty is a good option if you’re concerned that your drawing tablet may have Problems. You can do without it if you feel relatively confident with your choice.
The advantages of using a drawing tablet to use Photoshop and Illustrator
After years of working with the mouse and keyboard to create illustrations in Photoshop and Illustrator, it’s You may feel frustrated by a lack of control and wrist fatigue. Switch to a tablet Drawing can significantly change the way you work. Here are some of its benefits.
Precision and control
You’ll get more accuracy with a drawing tablet than with a mouse or trackpad. With a tablet of drawing, you can better control the cursor and draw accurate lines and shapes.
You can also better control brushstrokes with drawing tablets. In addition, you can adjust the size, the opacity and the fluidity of the brushstrokes with a pressure-sensitive pencil.
In addition, drawing tablets are extremely sensitive to the touch of a pencil or pen. How As a result, very detailed illustrations can be created. Plus, when you create strokes, you’ll get a lot more precision. This is because the pencil registers movements more accurately than a mouse or a trackpad.
Speed and efficiency
Working with drawing tablets is easy and fast. A stylus is faster than a mouse to move for the canvas. In addition, the software speeds up navigation. This is useful for large art projects and Complex.
A big advantage of shortcut keys is also that they are easy to use. They can be programmed to Photoshop and Illustrator to perform specific tasks. It’s a fantastic way to save time, Especially if your art project has a fast turnaround time. In addition, by using one hand to draw and the other to change tools or use the shortcut keys, you can speed up your flow of work.
Creativity and flexibility
With a stylus, you can create a variety of brush strokes, giving you more control over the texture and the style of your works. In addition, there is a wide range of brush styles that you can adapt to your needs. Many drawing tablets are available in a wide range of brush sizes, shapes, and textures.
You’ll also have a wide color spectrum, allowing you to work with a wide range of colors. In addition, you will have the possibility to edit and manipulate your illustrations better, which will make it easier for you to refinement of your images.
Comfortable
Drawing tablets are made to be comfortable to use. The tablet can be placed on a Flat surface so that it is in a more natural position while working. And you can ease the tension in the doll holding the pen like a pencil.
Drawing tablets are available in a variety of sizes and designs so you can choose the one you want. best suits your physical needs. In addition, they have tilt and rotation sensitivity, which that allows you to control the angle and direction of your work.
The problem with using a standalone tablet like the iPad
Because you don’t need to divert your gaze from your drawing tablet to your computer screen, drawing directly on an iPad is extremely convenient. However, a standalone tablet isn’t ideal.
Small screen size
When it comes to drawing or illustrating, you need a large screen to see in detail what is going on. doing. On a small screen, drawing detailed work can be challenging, especially when you’re Try to fix details.
In addition, the small size of the screen can cause hand-eye coordination problems because the hand You can cover part of the drawing as you work.
Also, due to the limited processing power of the iPad, working with large files or with Photoshop’s multiple layers can be difficult. This can cause lag and other performance issues that can delay the process.
not the integral version of Photoshop
Many professional artists use features such as curves, liquefaction, content-based filling, Warp tools, filters, layer masks, healing tools, cloning seal and many more. Tablet drawing apps may lack or be limited in these features, which which can make it difficult to achieve the same level of detail and quality in your work.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum size of a drawing tablet suitable for Illustrator or Photoshop?
Although 13 inches is the ideal size for Photoshop or Illustrator projects, you can draw with some easy with a 10-inch one. However, you should consider buying 13 inches or more for jobs professional artistic works.
When editing photos in Photoshop or Illustrator, what is the ideal resolution for a tablet? drawing?
The drawing tablet has a higher resolution, which means it can detect more movements. Small. This is crucial for tasks such as choosing small areas of an image, making adjustments to a design or create highly detailed illustrations. The resolution of 5,080 lines per inch (LPI) is what the Most professional drawing tablets offer.
What is the ideal sensitivity for a drawing tablet to work with Photoshop or Illustrator?
Pressure sensitivity allows you to control the opacity and thickness of the brush strokes. The range of higher pressure sensitivity allows for more subtle changes to artwork and More natural results. Drawing tablet technology has progressed exponentially. Now, a Cheap drawing tablet with 8,192 levels is available for less than $100.
How much does a drawing tablet cost for Illustrator or Photoshop?
The price of a drawing tablet that can be used with Photoshop or Illustrator depends on a variety of features, such as pressure sensitivity, size, resolution, and shortcut keys. The best tablets for Photoshop and Illustrator are available for just $100. The most popular models Sophisticated, which have larger sizes and specifications, can cost $500 or more. The models of High-end offers more features, but not everyone can use them.
Is it possible to use a drawing tablet in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop?
Yes. Drawing tablets are designed to use various software programs, such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
How do I set up my drawing tablet to work with Photoshop or Illustrator?ator.
The drawing tablet should automatically detect and install drivers when connected to the computer. You can then use the tablet to draw, paint, or make decisions as you would with a mouse or keyboard when you open Photoshop or Illustrator.
How can I adjust the sensitivity of my drawing tablet when using it in Photoshop or Illustrator?
The pressure sensitivity setting of a drawing tablet varies by make and model. Therefore, General, you can follow these steps:
- Using the drawing tablet, open the software provided.
- Find “Pressure Sensitivity” or something similar. It can be in a tab or in a specific menu, depending on the software.
- Move the slider or select a preset option to adjust the sensitivity to pressure to your liking. To see how the brushstrokes respond, you should test the sensitivity drawing on the tablet.
- Keep the settings saved.
- Test pressure sensitivity by drawing or painting in Photoshop or Illustrator. If it is not Satisfied with the sensitivity of the drawing tablet, you can go back and adjust the settings in the software.
Can I retouch photos in Photoshop with a drawing tablet?
Yes, in fact, many photographers and digital artists prefer to use a drawing tablet to retouch photos because they can get more accurate edits.
You can use a drawing tablet with a pencil to make small changes to the photo, such as deleting smudges, adjust colors, replicate pores on someone’s skin, or enhance details. In addition, the Sensitivity to pen pressure can help you control the fluidity and opacity of brush strokes. This can be useful for creating smooth and smooth edits.
What are the benefits of using a drawing tablet with Photoshop or Illustrator instead of a mouse or trackpad?
A drawing tablet has several advantages compared to using a mouse or trackpad:
Pressure sensitization: Drawing tablets are designed to detect pen pressure, allowing you to create strokes that vary in thickness and opacity depending on how strong you are or gentle that you press. With the details of your works, this sensitivity can help you.
Precision and Control: Drawing tablets offer more precision and control than a mouse or a trackpad. It will be easier to create more detailed and accurate drawings with a pencil, as It feels more natural than with a mouse or trackpad.
Comfort: Drawing tablets and a stylus mimic a canvas and a pencil, which that allows you to work easier and for longer. Can relieve tension in the wrists and the hands holding the pencil like a traditional drawing tool. And you can place the tablet at an angle that is natural for you.
Customization: Many drawing tablets come with software that allows you to Adjust settings and preferences. Pressure sensitivity and other functions can be adjust them to better suit your needs.