Set up your digital art tablet and make a test drawing using the tablet, stylus, and drawing software. This guide is for beginners using either a screenless pen tablet or a pen display connected to a computer. Allow 30-60 minutes for installation and setup, with extra time if your computer needs updates.
Get art and craft supplies delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
RubensTab T11 Pro Standalone Drawing Tablet
- ✔ Display: 10.1-inch LCD
- ✔ Resolution: 1920 × 1200
- ✔ Pressure sensitivity: 1024 levels
XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen
- ✔ Display: 13.3-inch LCD
- ✔ Resolution: 1920 × 1080
- ✔ Pressure sensitivity: 16,384 levels
GAOMON PD1161 Drawing Tablet with Screen
- ✔ Display: 11.6-inch LCD
- ✔ Resolution: 1920 × 1080
- ✔ Color gamut: 72% NTSC; 100% sRGB stated
Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 30-60 minutes
What You’ll Need
Tools & Materials:
- Digital art tablet and its compatible stylus
- Computer that meets the tablet maker’s system requirements, or a supported standalone tablet
- USB or other connection cable, if required
- Internet access for driver or software downloads
- Drawing application, such as Krita, Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop, or the app bundled with the tablet
Knowledge:
- Basic ability to install an application and follow system prompts
- Basic familiarity with saving and opening files
Check the tablet’s model number and compatibility before downloading software. Keep the stylus nearby; some models need charging, while others use a battery-free pen. A screenless tablet maps its drawing surface to your monitor, so pen strokes appear on the computer display rather than on the tablet itself.
RubensTab T11 Pro Standalone Drawing Tablet
The RubensTab earns our top position because it solves a different problem from the other two: it does not need a computer. Its 10.1-inch, 1920 × 1200 screen, Android 12 operating system, Wi-Fi, and pre-installed drawing apps combine into a portable device for sketching, notes, and creative work away from a desk. The included adjustable stand case also gives us a ready-made way to prop it up.That independence comes with a smaller canvas than the 13.3-inch XPPen, and its listed 1024 pressure levels are well below the 8192 on the GAOMON and 16,384 on the XPPen. Artists who depend on nuanced pressure variation or a large working area may prefer one of those connected displays. The built-in battery is specified for up to five hours, so long sessions still require charging or a power bank. For beginners, students, or travelers who value an all-in-one setup, those compromises may be easier to accept than carrying a computer and cables.
Pros:
- Works independently without a computer
- 10.1-inch Full HD screen with 1920 × 1200 resolution
- Android 12, Wi-Fi, and pre-installed drawing apps
- Includes an adjustable stand case and supports USB-C charging
Cons:
- Listed pen sensitivity is 1024 pressure levels, lower than the other two models
- Battery life is specified at up to five hours
- Smaller display than the XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2
Best for: Artists, students, and note-takers who want to draw on a self-contained tablet while away from a computer.
Not ideal for: Artists who need a large canvas, extensive pressure gradation, or a desktop-based creative software workflow.
Bottom line: Choose the RubensTab when drawing without a computer matters more than a large screen or high pressure-level specification.
“Choose the RubensTab when drawing without a computer matters more than a large screen or high pressure-level specification.”
XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen
For a computer-based setup, the XPPen is the most capable display in this group on paper. Its 13.3-inch, full-laminated FHD screen gives us more room than the GAOMON’s 11.6-inch panel, while the laminated construction is intended to reduce the gap between pen tip and image. A 16K pressure-level stylus with up to 60-degree tilt, eight shortcut keys, and a red dial offers more adjustment options for artists who regularly change brush size, zoom, or canvas position.The tradeoff is that this is a pen display, not an independent tablet: it must connect to a computer or supported device. That makes it less convenient than the RubensTab for travel or quick sketching without extra hardware. Its color-gamut figures are also presented differently across the supplied product details, so buyers with strict color-management needs should confirm the exact specification for the version they are considering. Compared with the GAOMON, the XPPen is the better fit when screen space and controls take priority; the GAOMON is simpler if a smaller panel meets the need.
Pros:
- Largest screen in this comparison at 13.3 inches
- Full-laminated display designed to minimize parallax
- Stylus supports 16,384 pressure levels and up to 60-degree tilt
- Red dial and eight customizable shortcut keys
Cons:
- Requires a computer or compatible connected device
- Setup depends on available ports and included connection cable
- Supplied color-gamut specifications differ between the product details
Best for: Illustrators and designers who already use a compatible computer and want a larger on-screen workspace with extensive pen and shortcut controls.
Not ideal for: People who want a self-contained tablet, a compact travel setup, or a device that works without checking host-device compatibility.
Bottom line: The XPPen is our premium connected pick for artists who will use its larger display and workflow controls enough to justify a computer-tethered setup.
“The XPPen is our premium connected pick for artists who will use its larger display and workflow controls enough to justify a computer-tethered setup.”
GAOMON PD1161 Drawing Tablet with Screen
The GAOMON PD1161 is the more compact connected alternative for buyers who want to draw directly on a display without stepping up to the XPPen’s larger panel. Its 11.6-inch Full HD screen includes a pre-installed matte film intended to reduce glare and provide a paper-like feel. The battery-free pen supports 8192 pressure levels and tilt, while eight programmable tablet keys and two pen buttons put common shortcuts within reach.Those features make it a practical fit for a desk where space matters, but the tablet still needs a Windows or Mac computer. It also requires HDMI and USB ports, with an adapter potentially needed for machines that lack them; the XPPen’s listed single USB-C connection may suit some newer setups better. Against the standalone RubensTab, GAOMON offers a larger pressure-level figure and a computer-based workflow, but gives up independent operation. Its screen is smaller than both the XPPen’s and the RubensTab’s stated diagonal, so artists prioritizing workspace should look up the lineup.
Pros:
- 11.6-inch Full HD screen with matte anti-glare film
- Battery-free pen with 8192 pressure levels and tilt support
- Eight programmable tablet keys plus two pen buttons
- Includes cable, adapter, pen holder, replacement nibs, and glove
Cons:
- Requires a Windows or Mac computer to operate
- Needs HDMI and USB ports or a suitable adapter
- Smaller screen than the XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2
Best for: Beginners and students with a compatible Windows or Mac computer who want a smaller pen display with programmable controls.
Not ideal for: Buyers seeking standalone portability, a larger drawing canvas, or a setup that avoids HDMI and USB port requirements.
Bottom line: Choose the GAOMON if a compact computer-connected display and matte drawing surface matter more than standalone use or the XPPen’s larger workspace.
“Choose the GAOMON if a compact computer-connected display and matte drawing surface matter more than standalone use or the XPPen’s larger workspace.”
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Before You Start
Place the tablet on a stable, comfortable surface and leave room to move your drawing arm. If you already use a tablet driver from another brand, remove it only if the new tablet maker recommends doing so; competing drivers can sometimes interfere. Save any open work before installing or changing drivers, and follow the maker’s instructions if they specify a particular connection or installation order.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Identify the tablet model and connection
Find the model name or number on the tablet, its packaging, or its settings page. Check the maker’s support page for the matching driver, operating system support, connection method, and any required power adapter. For a standalone tablet, confirm that its operating system supports the drawing app you plan to use.
Tip: Do not choose a driver based only on the brand. A driver for a similar-looking model may lack the right pen or button settings.
Check: You have the exact model and know which driver, cable, and power source it requires.
Step 2: Install the tablet driver
Download the driver for your exact model and operating system from the tablet maker’s official support page. If the maker instructs you to install the driver before connecting the tablet, do that. Open the installer, follow its prompts, and restart the computer if requested.
Tip: Use one current driver for the tablet. If installation fails, check the maker’s instructions for removing an older driver before trying again.
Check: The driver installer reports completion, or the tablet’s control application opens without an installation error.
Step 3: Connect and power the tablet
Connect the tablet to the computer using the supplied or recommended cable, then attach its power adapter if required. For a pen display, connect every cable the maker specifies; a USB connection alone may carry pen data but not video. Turn the tablet on and unlock it if it has its own screen.
Tip: A pen display may need a separate HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C video connection. Check the manual if the screen stays blank.
Check: The tablet powers on and the computer or tablet settings show that the device is connected.
Step 4: Configure the display and drawing area
Open your computer’s display settings and arrange a pen display as an extended or mirrored screen according to your preference. Then open the tablet control application and select the monitor that the pen should control. For a screenless tablet, map the active area to the monitor where you will draw; for a pen display, map it to the tablet screen.
Tip: If you use more than one monitor, confirm the selected display before drawing. Incorrect mapping can make the cursor appear on a different screen or move at the wrong scale.
Check: Moving the stylus across the active tablet area moves the cursor across the intended display in the expected direction.
In the tablet control application, open the pen settings or pressure test panel. Draw several strokes with light and firm pressure, then set the side buttons to actions you can use, such as undo or right-click. Keep the default settings initially if you are unsure; you can customize them later.
Tip: Do not press hard to test pressure. A working pen should register a range of strokes without requiring excessive force.
Check: The test panel responds to the pen, and light and firm strokes produce visibly different pressure readings or line widths.
Step 6: Open drawing software and select the tablet
Launch your drawing application after the driver is installed. Create a new blank canvas and check the application’s tablet or input settings if pen pressure does not work. Select the supported tablet input option named by the tablet or app maker, then restart the application if the setting requires it.
Tip: Changing input settings while a document is open can disrupt pen response. Save your work before changing them.
Check: The stylus moves the brush cursor on the canvas, and the application responds to pressure when you vary how firmly you draw.
Step 7: Make and save a test drawing
Draw a few slow lines, curves, and short strokes on the blank canvas. Try a light line, a firmer line, and one side button if you assigned it. Save the file in the application’s native format so you can edit it later; export a PNG or JPEG only if you need a shareable image.
Tip: Start with a small canvas and a simple brush. This makes pen response easier to judge and avoids troubleshooting several settings at once.
Check: The saved file opens with your marks visible, and the cursor, pressure, and assigned button behave as expected.
Step 8: Adjust comfort and repeat the test
Set the tablet angle, screen brightness, and stylus position so your arm and wrist can rest comfortably. If the cursor feels offset or the strokes feel awkward, adjust calibration or active area in the tablet control application, then draw another short test.
Tip: Make one setting change at a time. That makes it easier to tell which adjustment improved the result.
Check: You can draw several lines comfortably, and the cursor follows the pen tip closely across the active area.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Installing a driver for a similar but different tablet model. — Match the model number and operating system on the maker’s support page before downloading.
- Connecting a pen display with only a data cable. — Check whether the display needs a separate video cable or power connection, then connect each required cable.
- Assuming pressure is broken when it is disabled in the drawing app. — Test pressure in the tablet control panel, then check the drawing app’s tablet input settings.
- Mapping the tablet to the wrong monitor. — Select the intended display in the tablet control application and test cursor movement before drawing.
Troubleshooting
Problem: The computer does not detect the tablet.
Solution: Check that the tablet is powered, reconnect the cable, and try a different compatible USB port. Open the maker’s driver application and restart the computer. If it remains undetected, confirm model and operating system compatibility and follow the maker’s driver repair instructions.
Problem: The pen moves the cursor, but pressure does not change the stroke.
Solution: Check the pressure test in the tablet control application. If pressure works there, open the drawing app’s tablet input settings, select the supported input mode, and restart the app. Also confirm that the selected brush responds to pressure.
Problem: The cursor appears on the wrong screen or is offset from the pen.
Solution: Open the tablet control application, choose the display you are using, and run its calibration tool if available. Check that the operating system’s display arrangement matches the physical position of your monitors.
Problem: A pen display turns on but shows no image.
Solution: Confirm that the video cable is connected to a supported computer output and the correct display input is selected. Check power and display settings, then try another supported cable or port if available.
What Success Looks Like
Your tablet is recognized, the pen controls the intended screen, and the drawing application receives pen input. A test drawing shows responsive strokes, including pressure variation if the pen and app support it, and the saved file opens with the drawing intact.
Next Steps
Keep the driver and drawing application updated when the maker recommends updates, and save working files in the app’s native format. Once the basic setup feels comfortable, customize shortcuts and brush settings to suit your workflow. If pen response changes after an update, repeat the pressure and display mapping checks before changing several settings at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital art tablet without a computer?
Some standalone tablets run drawing applications directly and do not need a computer for drawing. A screenless pen tablet and most pen displays need a compatible computer or device to run the drawing software.
Do I need a screen tablet to start drawing?
No. A screenless tablet can be used for digital drawing and is often less expensive. You draw on its surface while watching the cursor move on your computer monitor.
Why does the pen work in one app but not another?
Apps can use different tablet input settings. Check the drawing app’s tablet preferences, confirm that the tablet driver is active, and restart the app after changing input options.
Should I use the tablet’s full drawing area?
Start with the full area unless your cursor movement feels uncomfortable or your setup spans multiple monitors. You can change the active area in the tablet control application and test the mapping again.
