Keep Making History
The future is yours to create.
We are proud to announce that Wacom celebrates its 40th anniversary starting July 2023
To celebrate, Nobutaka Ide, Representative Director, President and CEO, said this: “We would like to express our sincerest gratitude for the support from our customers, partners, and many others who helped us continue our business and celebrate this milestone.”
He added, “Writing and drawing are a very important part of our daily lives, both in our work and hobbies because we use them for idea creation, learning, and communicating. Wacom will continue to support everyone’s journey of ‘writing and drawing’ through its digital pen and ink technology and pass it on to future generations. We are excited to work with new and existing partners into the future.”.
From the early days to becoming a global player
The 1980s marked the dawn of personal computers, and keyboard-based text input was the norm. In 1984, Wacom launched the world’s first pen tablet with cordless stylus input, the “WT Series,” and took the first step in developing and providing an intuitive interface using a digital pen. In 1987, Wacom commercialized the “SD Series” wireless pen tablet, using electromagnetic resonance (EMR®) technology, which forms the basis of Wacom’s digital pen technology today.
Wacom pen tablets have been used in the design process of a variety of products since 1988. While global sportswear brands and European car manufacturers were among the first to adopt this new technology in their design processes, they were soon followed by leading film and animation studios, bringing our favorite movies, television programs and video games to life. This paved the way for a wider adoption of Wacom pen tablets by artists and designers at every stage of their creative development.
During this period, Wacom also expanded its business worldwide, establishing a sales company for Europe in Neuss, Germany in 1988 and another in Vancouver, Washington, USA in 1991.
Wacom’s pen tablet business has grown over the years thanks to widespread support from designers and creators around the world. While it has continued to refine its technology with numerous digital pen patents, Wacom began providing digital pen components for personal computers on an OEM basis in the late 1990s. Today, Wacom provides digital pen solutions for the products of many IT manufacturers, including Samsung and Lenovo, as well as various stationery manufacturers.
Our commitment to “writing and drawing” through digital technology
In April 2018, Wacom positioned itself as a “technology leadership” company in the field of digital pens and digital ink and adopted the vision of “Life-long Ink” based on the idea and commitment of supporting people’s “writing and drawing” experiences throughout their lives. The act of “writing and drawing” can be seen throughout our daily lives, and there are many businesses, companies, and organizations that form ecosystems. Wacom continues to refine its digital pen and ink technologies, and together with its partners, make the experience of “writing and drawing ” more enjoyable, convenient, and meaningful in our lives through digital technology.
In the coming years, Wacom will also deliver new experiences based on digital pen and ink technologies around artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), and security applications. By continuing to collaborate with partners in respective fields, Wacom strives to offer attractive experiences with its product lines and services that support the creativity of designers and creators, as well as businesspeople and students, providing digital pen and ink experiences that fully integrate into people’s daily lives.
Wacom through the years
Wacom is born in Saitama, Japan! The company’s name stems from combining the Japanese word “Wa,” meaning “harmony,” and “Com” for computer, demonstrating Wacom’s mission: creative harmony between users and their technology.
[/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="EMR" date="1984" title="EMR to the forefront" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/07/Wacom_1984.jpg" alt="EMR" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Wacom’s first tablet with a cordless “digitizer,” the WT Series, is released, which demonstrates Wacom’s crucial innovation: electro-magnetic resonance. EMR allows a precise and seamless input experience. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="Under pressure" date="1987 " title="Under pressure" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/07/Wacom_1987.jpg" alt="Wacom_1987" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22,%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Wacom’s SD Series of pen tablets introduce crucial tech, pressure sensitivity. This device is the ancestor of all modern Wacom pen tablets and pen displays. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="Taking art next level" date="1994 " title="Taking digital art to the next level" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/07/Wacom_1994.jpg" alt="Wacom Art Pad" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Wacom releases the ArtPad, designed specifically for creatives. Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter had been released a few years earlier, and the ArtPad made it possible to take full advantage of them. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="White House " date="1996 " title="Wacom in the White House" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" alt="Wacom Pen Display" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]The U.S. Communications Act of 1996 is signed by President Bill Clinton using a Wacom pen, a global first. This major overhaul attempted to bring U.S. law into the 21st century, so a Wacom pen was the perfect tool to finalize it.
[/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="1998 – The pen tablet of choice for 25 years" date="1998 " title="The pen tablet of choice for 25 years" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/07/Wacom_1998.jpg" alt="The first Wacom Intuos pen tablet" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22,%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Wacom Intuos is released, and 25 years later, it’s still the creative pen tablet of choice for students, hobbyists, and professionals worldwide. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2001" date="2001 " title="A revolutionary digital art experience" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/07/Wacom_2001.09.jpg" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Seamlessly making digital input directly on one’s display is made possible with the release of Wacom Cintiq. It immediately becomes the go-to device for serious creative professionals. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2007 Beginners" date="2007" title="Beginners need tools, too" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/07/Wacom_2007.05.jpg" alt="The first Wacom Bamboo" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22,%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93,%22gcid-22e6259a-0dee-43b0-a31d-27b6ee669d92%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}"]Wacom Bamboo brings Wacom’s professional-level quality to the everyday artist. This pen tablet gave beginners and hobbyists an affordable entry point into digital creation. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2011 – Powerful partners" date="2011" title="Powerful partners" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/07/Wacom_2022.01.jpg" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Samsung and Wacom collaborate to incorporate Wacom technology into Samsung devices. This partnership continues into the present, including in Samsung’s flagship 2023 device models. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2014 – Leading the way" date="2014 " title="Leading the way" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Wacom continues its digital ink industry leadership by introducing Wacom Ink Layer Language (WILL), a universal digital ink standard, and Active ES, an update to Wacom’s patented EMR technology that allows for even more precision and functionality. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2016" date="2016" title="Tech influencing culture" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" alt="Wacom Cintiq Pro pen display" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Connected Ink, an annual event series highlighting progress and technology improvements in digital ink as well as artistic and educational breakthroughs taking place due to Wacom’s technology, takes place for the first time. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2016 – Only the best for pros" date="2016" title="Only the best for pros" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/07/DTH1320_CintiqPro13_Overhead_View_RGB_v5-1.jpg" alt="Wacom Cintiq Pro pen display" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Wacom makes a major performance upgrade to its pen display technology with the release of the Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 and 16 and the Pro Pen 2, bringing the highest-end pen display experience to professional creatives.
[/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2018 - Sometimes, bigger is better" date="2018" title="Sometimes, bigger is better" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/04/Community_ProductShot_CintiqPro24_750x750.jpg" alt="Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 pen display" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Wacom releases the Cintiq Pro 24 and 32, its largest, highest-performance pen displays ever, for professional users who need plenty of active area on a high-end pen display for complex creative projects. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2019 - The sequel surpasses the original" date="2019" title="The sequel surpasses the original" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/07/Cintiq-16_Overhead-View_pen-below.jpg" alt="Wacom Cintiq 16 pen display" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Nearly 20 years after it was first introduced, Wacom re-launches the Cintiq line with the new Cintiq 16, a high-end, but more-affordable pen display for art students and serious hobbyists. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2020" date="2020" title="Performance + accessibility" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/06/Wacom-one-pen-display-sale.png" alt="Wacom One Pen display promotions and refurbished" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Wacom One, a creative pen display for beginners, students, and hobbyists, is released. Its entry-level price point makes creative possibilities more accessible than ever before.
[/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2021 Creativity in the classroom" date="2021" title="Creativity in the classroom" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/03/One-by-Wacom-medium-pen-tablet-in-box.jpeg" alt="One by Wacom" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Building on the Wacom One’s success, Wacom introduces the One by Wacom. Aimed at classrooms and budget-conscious users, it retains Wacom’s quality and performance standards while being extremely affordable. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2022 - Creative perfection" date="2022" title="The height of creative perfection" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" image="https://community.wacom.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/03/Wacom-Cintiq-Pro-27-700.jpg" alt="Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 creative pen display" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Wacom Cintiq Pro 27, a complete redesign of the Cintiq Pro pen display, makes a major splash in the digital art world! It comes with the new Pro Pen 3 as well as a slew of design and performance improvements for professional creatives. [/dmpro_timeline_item][dmpro_timeline_item admin_label="2023 - Keeping your art yours" date="2023 " title="Keeping your art yours" timeline_icon="r||divi||400" timeline_icon_color="#FFFFFF" date_circle_color="#435760" date_use_circle_border="on" alt="Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 creative pen display" custom_card_arrow="on" card_arrow_size="18px" card_arrow_color="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" header_text_color="#000000" header_font_size="24px" date_text_text_align="center" date_text_font_size="25px" background_color="#FFFFFF" background_enable_color="on" global_colors_info="{%22gcid-53b3f5c7-ef3e-45ff-99a4-ddc93bb9f2b2%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22card_arrow_color%22%93}"]Modern artists face a difficult landscape when it comes to digital rights management. That’s why Wacom launched Yuify, a program intended to help creators maintain ownership over their creations.[/dmpro_timeline_item][/dmpro_timeline]