Guide to Light Tables – Buying Tips & Usage

Light tables have grown increasingly popular and are now widely used by both hobby artists and professional illustrators. Architects, tattoo artists, photographers, and even nurseries have discovered just how versatile and useful they are. But why should you invest in a lightbox, and what can you actually use it for? Let’s dive in!

Why should you use a lightbox?

A lightbox works by illuminating a drawing, sketch, or image from underneath, providing an even and comfortable light. This enhances details and makes it much easier to achieve the desired result. For many creatives, a light pad is an invaluable tool – often used for tracing, refining sketches onto thicker paper, and achieving a well-balanced composition when arranging text and images.

But it’s not just illustrators and artists who benefit from a light table. Scrapbooking enthusiasts use it to create precise cut-outs and decorative patterns, while photographers and art historians rely on them to examine and digitise old negatives and slides.

Light tables, also known as lightboxes, come in various sizes to suit different needs. Our most popular models are A3 and A4 in size, making them easy to use on a desk or take on the go. Additionally, many of the models in our range are incredibly slim – some are just 0.8 cm thick! This means they can be easily stored away when not in use. Our light pads are LED-lit, providing not only a bright and consistent light but also an impressively long lifespan.

What can you use a lightbox for?

Lightboxes are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of creative and professional applications. In fact, there are more uses than we can count! Here are just a few examples of how light pads are utilised across different industries and artistic fields. The common factor? The benefit of a backlit surface.

• Illustrators, artists, and comic book creators – A light pad is an essential tool for inking, layered sketching, and animation. It makes it easy to refine details and create smooth, precise lines.
  
  
• Tattoo artists – Many tattoo artists use a light table to refine sketches and transfer designs onto stencil paper before tattooing.
  
  
• Architects and designers – Transferring sketches, experimenting with compositions, and working on perspective drawings becomes much easier with a lightbox.
  
  
• Nurseries and schools – Light tables are used in educational settings, allowing children to explore colours, transparent materials, and shapes while learning about light and shadow.
  
  
• Photographers and art historians – Lightboxes are used to examine negatives and slides, highlighting details and aiding in digitisation.

Lightbox with LED or fluorescent tubes?

In the past, we sold both LED and fluorescent tube lightboxes. However, manufacturers have largely phased out fluorescent models in favour of LED, which is now the only type available at Pen Store. LED lighting offers a host of advantages: it doesn’t heat up, takes up less space, is more durable for transport, and lasts significantly longer. If you need to photograph your lightbox, LED lighting is also essential to prevent flickering in images.

Are lightboxes portable?

Light pads must be plugged into a power outlet when in use (all our models come with an adapter). However, if you opt for a slimmer model like the Daylight Wafer, it’s easy to take with you on the go. They’re also quite resistant to minor bumps and knocks.

The difference between an expensive and a cheap lightbox

When comparing lightboxes in different price ranges, several factors set them apart. Here are the key aspects to consider when choosing between a budget-friendly or a high-end lightbox. 

• Brightness: High-quality light tables offer a stronger and more even light source, often with multiple brightness levels or dimming functions. This allows you to adjust the light according to your working material, and thanks to the higher brightness, you can work with thicker paper, such as watercolour paper. 
  
  
• Design and Thickness: Premium light pads are often thinner and more portable. Some models are only 0.8 cm thick and extremely lightweight, making them easy to carry and store. They also have a more robust construction, ensuring better durability and stability.
  
  
• Longevity: High-quality lightboxes contain premium LED lights that last much longer—often tens of thousands of hours. They are also more energy-efficient and provide a more stable light quality over time.

Which lightbox should you choose?

If you are a hobby user or beginner who just wants to try out a lightbox for simple projects, a budget-friendly option might be sufficient.

If you are a professional illustrator, tattoo artist, designer, or photographer who uses a light pad daily, investing in a higher-end model is a better choice as it provides superior light quality, durability, and additional features.

Affordable Lightbox: Crevide Light Pad

Crevide lightboxes are LED-lit, feature an acrylic surface, and are only 4 mm thick. The working light is 240–260 lumens and can be adjusted to three different brightness levels, providing an even glow. The LED lights have a lifespan of approximately 5,000 hours. The light pad features a grid-like illumination and an edge ruler. If you are a heavy user, you may prefer a model with even higher brightness (such as the Daylight Wafer), but if you value an exceptionally thin and lightweight light pad, this is a perfect choice. Crevide light pads are available in A4 and A3 sizes, making them a great entry-level lightbox—an excellent choice to get started!

For Professionals and frequent users: Daylight Wafer LED Lightbox

Daylight Wafer light tables are dimmable, ultra-thin, and LED-lit, measuring just 0.8 cm in thickness. The brightness can be adjusted via a touch-sensitive button, and the LED light has a colour temperature of 6000–6500 Kelvin. The surface is completely flat, made of acrylic, and includes distance markings in both centimetres and inches. The lightbox is easily connected to a standard power outlet with the included adapter. This model is available in A4, A3, and A2 sizes.

Tracing Paper: The Perfect Tool for Sketching on a Lightbox

Tracing paper is an essential tool for artists and hobby creators who use lightboxes. This thin and transparent type of paper offers many advantages and applications for sketching and drawing. 

Thanks to its transparency, tracing paper allows light to pass through easily when placed on a lightbox. This makes it simple to transfer images and patterns to your sketches with precision and accuracy. By placing a reference image underneath the tracing paper, you can effortlessly trace contours and details onto your sketch.

Tracing paper is suitable for everyone, regardless of experience or skill level. It is a fantastic tool for both professional artists and beginners. We offer it in A4 and A3 sizes.