What is a “drawing tablet?”
Artists and creative people of all kinds, from students to fanart hobbyists to art school professors to professional illustrators, animators, editors, and designers, use creative pen tablets and displays – sometimes called “drawing tablets” – like Wacom’s to 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 / screens
- Graphics tablets
- Pen tablets
- Drawing pads
- Pen input screens
- 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 like Wacom Intuos, typically called “pen tablets,” function like a much more precise mouse. Moving your pen on the tablet moves the cursor on your computer’s screen and controls things like clicking.
Display tablets like Wacom Cintiq, also called “pen displays,” function like a pen-enabled monitor. You can draw directly on the screen.
All-in-one tablets like the Wacom MovinkPad, are like display tablets, but with a built-in mobile operating system. You can draw directly on the screen using mobile art apps.
Why digital artists and creators of all kinds use Wacom products
Comic artists, illustrators, photo editors, game designers, 3D artists, fashion designers, and creatives of all kinds use Wacom pen tablets, pen displays, and all-in-one portable pads to combine 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 the top creative studios around the world, as well as by amateur and freelance artists in every creative industry.
Meet the Wacom creative drawing display family
Wacom’s line of creative drawing displays delivers a range of choices for creatives of all kinds. They come in a variety of screen sizes, display footprints, and features, from the entry-level Wacom One to the professional level Cintiq Pro. On all models, you’ll enjoy the experience of working directly on screen with our pressure-sensitive, battery-free pens.
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
With 16″, 24″, and 24″ Touch models, Wacom Cintiq provides a truly natural creative experience that will help take your work to the next level – with a brilliant display, built-in or included stand, and the precision of Pro Pen 3.
Wacom Movink
Wacom Movink is our thinnest and lightest pen display, with an OLED screen and Pro Pen 3, so you can bring professional-grade performance wherever your laptop can go.
Wacom One 14
The newest version of Wacom One is our most-affordable pen display, giving young creatives or budget-conscious hobbyists access to full-featured digital creativity.
Meet the Wacom drawing tablet family
Wacom offers a range of drawing tablets to accomodate various creative interests. Whether you enjoy digital drawing, sketching, or photo editing, Wacom’s drawing tablets are an ideal choice. With exceptional pen performance, pressure-sensitivity, and advanced productivity features, they’ll enable you to unleash your creativity and enhance your artistic skills.
One By Wacom
A drawing tablet with a simply natural pen experience. It couldn’t be easier.
Wacom Intuos
A versatile drawing tablet with built-in Expresskeys, Bluetooth wireless options, and a rugged, long-lasting build.
Wacom Intuos Pro (2025)
Achieve perfect harmony between work and flow. Provides precision, control, and an intuitive experience.
Meet the Wacom all-in-one drawing pad family
The Wacom MovinkPad 11 and Wacom MovinkPad Pro 14 are innovative all-in-one drawing pads, so you can take your creativity anywhere. No computer necessary: everything’s built in! They run on Android OS and come with creative software like Wacom Canvas, ibisPaint, and Clip Studio Paint software. With MovinkPad you can keep drawing wherever inspiration strikes.
Wacom MovinkPad 11
No cords, no setup, no computer – just pick up the pen and start sketching. This lightweight all-in-one tablet delivers Wacom’s legendary pen experience for spontaneous creativity, whether you’re doodling on the couch or capturing an idea on the go.
Wacom MovinkPad Pro 14
This mobile drawing pad is a high-end digital art station that goes anywhere you go. With its 14″ OLED display, Wacom Pro Pen 3, and Android 15 OS, it’s a professional tool that provides portable freedom to draw beyond the studio, the desk – beyond the ordinary.
