This category contains graphics tablets for digital illustration, photo retouching, design work and on-screen signatures. The range covers pen tablets without a display, pen displays and signature pads, from brands including Wacom, Huion, Signotec and Evolis.
Beginners can start with a basic pen tablet, while professional studios will find pen displays with larger working areas.
How to choose a graphics tablet
Pen tablet or pen display. A pen tablet is a blank drawing surface: you look at your monitor while the pen moves on the tablet. A pen display has a screen built in, so you draw directly on the image. Pen tablets cost less and take a few days to get used to, while pen displays feel closer to paper and suit detailed illustration and retouching.
Active area size. The active area is the part of the surface that registers the pen, and it matters more than the overall size of the device. A small area suits note taking, signing and travel. A medium or large area gives your arm room to move, which helps with sketching and painting on a large monitor.
Pen quality. Look at the number of pressure levels, tilt recognition and whether the pen needs a battery. Many pens used with professional tablets are battery-free and have two side buttons you can assign to shortcuts. Pressure sensitivity and tilt control line width and shading, so they matter most for painting and inking.
Connection and compatibility. Check that the tablet works with your operating system (Windows, macOS, and for some models Android or Linux) and your software. Pen displays usually need a video connection such as HDMI or USB-C as well as power, so check which ports your computer has. Pen tablets often connect with a single USB cable, and some offer Bluetooth.
Purpose. A signature pad is built for capturing handwritten signatures in contracts, banking and delivery workflows, and is not meant for drawing. If you need to sign PDF documents or work with a document management system, choose a pad that is supported by that software. For creative work, choose a tablet designed for drawing instead.
Graphics tablet brands we carry
- Wacom: the best-known name in pen input, with a long history of pen tablets and pen displays used by illustrators, photographers and designers, and by far the largest part of our range.
- Signotec: a German maker known for signature pads used to sign documents electronically in offices, banks and other customer-facing businesses.
- Evolis: widely known for card printers, and also supplies signature pads for capturing handwritten signatures.
- Huion: offers pen tablets and pen displays for drawing, and is often considered by people who want a creative tablet for a smaller budget.
Also in our range: Logitech and Elmo.
Graphics tablets: frequently asked questions
Do I need a graphics tablet with a screen?
No, a screen is not essential. A pen tablet without a display is cheaper, and many digital artists and retouchers work well with one. If you want to draw directly on the image and see exactly where the pen touches, a pen display is the more natural choice.
What size of graphics tablet should I buy?
Choose the size by the space on your desk and the size of your monitor. A small tablet is enough for signing, note taking and basic editing, while a medium one suits most home users. Larger active areas give more freedom for painting, but they need more desk space and a bigger arm movement.
What is the difference between a graphics tablet and a signature pad?
A graphics tablet is designed for drawing and editing, with a pressure-sensitive pen and software support for creative programs. A signature pad is designed to capture a handwritten signature for a document, often with security and legal features. Signature pads are not intended for artwork.
Will a graphics tablet work with my computer?
Most graphics tablets work with Windows and macOS computers, and some also work with Android devices or Linux. Check the specifications for your operating system, the driver support and the type of port. Pen displays need a matching video connection, so confirm that your computer provides it.
