What is a “drawing tablet?” And do I need one?
Creatives of all kinds and at all levels, from elementary school students to fanart hobbyists to art school professors to professional illustrators, animators, film editors, and graphic designers, use creative pen tablets and displays – sometimes called “drawing tablets” – like Wacom’s to help bring their imaginative visions to life.
But you might be wondering, what is a drawing tablet? And should you get one to help elevate your digital creativity? Read on for everything you need to know.
Devices by many names
Creative pen tablets and displays can go by many names. Here are a few you might have seen:
- Drawing tablets
- Drawing displays
- Digital graphics tablets
- Pen tablets
- Drawing pads
- Creative displays
- Pen input screens
- Graphics input tablets
- and more!
All of these names refer to essentially the same thing: a device that sends digital pen input from itself to a computer, allowing for enhanced precision and creativity.
Three primary types of tablets
There are three main types of creative pen tablets.
Flat tablets, also called “opaque” tablets or simply “pen tablets,” like Wacom Intuos, function like a much more precise mouse. The movement of the pen on the device moves the cursor on the screen of your computer and controls things like clicking.
Display tablets, also called “pen displays,” like Wacom Cintiq, function like a pen-enabled monitor. You can draw directly on the screen.
All-in-one tablets, like the Apple iPad, are like display tablets, but with a built-in computer. You can draw directly on the screen, but they use their own suite of mobile apps (with their own limitations).
Why digital artists and creators of all kinds use Wacom products
From comics artists to illustrators to photo editors to game designers to 3D artists to fashion designers, creatives of all kinds use Wacom pen tablets and pen displays to marry the intuitive feeling of using a pen or paintbrush with the power of digital creative software. That’s why Wacom’s pen tablets and displays are used to make cutting-edge work in top animation, design, concept art, video game, and film studios, as well as by amateur and freelance artists across every creative industry.
Meet the Wacom creative drawing display family
Wacom’s line of creative drawing displays delivers a range of choices for accomplished creatives. Choose yours based on screen sizes, display footprint and portability, depending on your needs. On all models, you’ll enjoy the experience of working directly on screen with our pressure-sensitive pen.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 27
An ultra high-definition pen display with multi-touch capabilities designed for creative professionals.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 22
Brilliant color and innovative features: a pen display made for effortlessly precise creativity.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 17
The most powerful pen display features in a convenient size – perfect for creative harmony.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 24
An ultra high-definition pen display with multi-touch capabilities designed for creative professionals.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16
An ultra high-definition pen display with multi-touch capabilities designed for creative professionals.
Wacom Cintiq 16/22
Wacom Cintiq combines pen and display for a truly natural creative experience that will help take your work to the next level.
Wacom Movink
Experience freedom with Wacom Movink, our lightest pen display. Just 4mm thick* and 420g, it’s 55% lighter and 66% thinner than Wacom One 13 touch. Connect to your Mac or PC for professional-grade performance.
Wacom One 12/13
With two sizes to choose from, 13.3” (with touch capability, coming soon) or 11.6”, the new Wacom One is portable while still providing an ample creative workspace.
Meet the Wacom drawing tablet family
Wacom offers an impressive range of drawing and creative drawing tablets that cater to various creative interests. Whether you enjoy drawing, sketching or photo editing, Wacom’s drawing tablets are an ideal choice. With exceptional pen performance, pressure-sensitivity, and advanced productivity features, Wacom’s drawing tablets enable you to unleash your creativity and enhance your artistic skills.
Wacom Intuos Pro (2025)
Achieve perfect harmony between work and flow with the redesigned Wacom Intuos Pro drawing tablet. Enjoy precision, control, and an intuitive creative experience.
Wacom Intuos
A versatile drawing tablet with built-in Expresskeys, Bluetooth wireless options, and a rugged, long-lasting build.
Wacom One tablet
With two sizes to choose from, the new Wacom One drawing tablet is ultra-portable while still providing an ample creative workspace.
One By Wacom
A drawing tablet with a simply natural pen experience. It couldn’t be easier.
Wacom Intuos Pro (2017)
A professional drawing tablet with multi-touch capabilities available in small, medium and large sizes
Wacom pen display & tablet promotions
Explore a variety of discounts and promotions for significant savings on new and refurbished Wacom products. Upgrade your creative toolkit with limited-time offers for artists, designers, and enthusiasts. Stay informed about the latest promotions on our website and through our newsletter, so you never miss a perfect deal.
All prices and promotions are valid in the US only. For information about promotions in LATAM or Canada, please visit your local store via the LATAM Store Finder or the Canadian eStore.
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Keep Making History
For 40 years you’ve relied on Wacom products to help bring your creative expressions to life, including our latest innovation, Wacom Movink. We’re committed to continued innovation and collaboration that will ensure that you have the tools, services and support to keep making history. Click “learn more” to see where we’ve been – and where we’re going in the future.
