Best Art Projector for Tracing Images

Looking for the best art projector for tracing images?

These days, artists have more options than ever to help them craft their masterpiece. Tracing artwork and reference photos have never been easier. But for newcomers to the projector world, you might be confused about which projector for artists you need.

So that’s why today, we’re checking out the best art projectors for tracing images.

We’ll also give you a rundown on the different types of projector for artists and the most important features to look for in a new projector.

Before you buy a projector make sure you check this detailed and ultra helpful guide to help you decide which is the best projector for you according to your personal needs: How to Choose the Right Projector for Different Room Sizes & Uses

Three Types of Art Projectors for Artists

There are a few different types of art projectors to choose from, each suitable for different use cases. Pick the one that’s right for your needs and budget.

Opaque Projector

Opaque projectors for artists is the choice of many art students and professional artists alike. They’re cost-effective, portable projectors you can use for enlarging images. These are not the same as digital projectors and need a physical copy.

Place the drawing in the opaque projector to enlarge and project it. The great thing about opaque projectors is it’s easy to use and can instantaneously enlarge the projected image.

Once you’re all set up, simply trace the outline directly onto a canvas.

But you need to ensure the printed image is in the right size. They’re usually pretty small, no larger than a polaroid photo. You also need to use an opaque projector in a dark room otherwise the image may not be visible.

While a basic opaque projector is cost-effective, they’re not as capable as a modern digital projector. You’ll also need to spend a hefty amount on high-end opaque projectors.

Another drawback of opaque projectors is you need to keep them in place. Once you place the image, any movement of opaque projectors will shift the tracing which can be near impossible to match up again.

Overhead Projector

Overhead art projectors are similar to an opaque projector where you’ll need a physical image/drawing to use it. These projectors work by reflecting the image with the overhead mirror and light.

In terms of image quality, overhead projectors are comparable to other projectors like LED projectors or digital projectors. The caveat is you need a transparent image printed on transparency paper.

You can simply select the image you want to project, and print it on transparency paper with an inkjet or laser printer. Then place the image on the overhead projector’s glass to enlarge it.

While they’re relatively easy to use, they require a lot of investment. The projector is pretty expensive & you’ll need a constant supply of transparency paper and a printer. They’re outdated and there are many other projectors that can achieve the same result, easier.

Digital Projector

Digital projectors for artists are the best option these days since they easily connect to multiple devices/methods, are cost-effective, and are versatile. You can project images from an SD card, USB drive, your laptop, or straight from your smartphone screen.

There’s a large variety of super cheap projectors and high-end digital projectors with the best clarity, color accuracy, and brightness. Not to mention you can use the digital art projector to watch movies or TV shows!

A digital projector works well for many artists with incredibly accurate colors and extremely sharp resolutions for easy tracing. A digital art projector also allows resizing of projected images to easily fit onto varied canvas sizes.

In terms of versatility, digital art projectors are the best option.

How We Picked The Best Art Projectors

To better highlight what you need out of the best art projector, here’s what we looked for in the selection process.

There are multiple factors to consider ranging from image quality, ease of use, image size, brightness, connectivity options, and price.

We’ve carefully selected digital projectors and a few opaque projector options that create stellar images. This makes it easier for you to trace images with clear and sharp images without losing pixels or blurring.

We’ve set a base 1920 x 1080 Full HD Resolution for digital art projectors. Opaque projectors don’t have resolutions and focus on brightness.

In terms of convenience, we’ve selected projectors with multiple connectivity options, an easy user interface, and flexible setup options. This includes connectivity options like HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, SD card readers, etc.

These projectors also have adjustment options like zoom, keystones, and auto-focus.

Projected image size is another important factor for the best art projector. How big (or small) you want the image to be is integral to tracing. We’ve selected multiple options with different sizes, but kept a base 100″ minimum image size.

Image brightness and price are co-related; higher brightness means the art projector will cost more. In terms of brightness, we’ve selected options with at least 1000 Lumens.

So let’s start with our list.

7 Best Art Projectors for Artists

1. ViewSonic M2 – Editor’s Choice

Image Size – 24-100″ | Resolution – 1080p | Brightness – 1200 Lumens | Lamp Life – 30,000 | Aspect Ratio – 16:9

Our top choice as the best art projector is the ViewSonic M2. This is also the best digital art projector on the list for its excellent build and design, price, performance, and connectivity options.

Since it’s such a small form factor, you can easily bring this with you to the art studio and back without hassle. It slips right into a backpack and excels as a mini projector. But even though it’s small, the M2 has a powerful 1200 Lumens brightness.

This is admirable for such a small form factor and can handle dim ambient light conditions but works best in a dark room.

Compared to the older version, the ViewSonic M1+, the M2 increases the brightness, native resolution, and upgraded auto-correction.

These are integral upgrades for the projector as it directly affects image fidelity.

This digital projector for artists also comes with a 1080p native resolution. This ensures crisp picture quality without losing any details. Better image quality is important when working with digital images. This way, you get the full quality without blur or losing pixels.

This is integral for art projects with close-up subjects or if you’re a graphic designer.

If you’re working with color, the projector also has 125% Rec. 709 support. This ensures colors are accurate, vivid, and vibrant. While you don’t need this for tracing, it’s great picture quality when you’re unwinding with a Netflix binge sesh.

The M2 can project images up to 100″ which is more than enough for most artists. It’ll also last you a long time with the 30,000-hour lamp life. This will last you a couple of years before you need to change it.

The art projector also comes with Aptoide UI, which has a variety of apps to download and use. You can also connect to the projector wirelessly with Wi-Fi connectivity. But there are also wired options including HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, microSD card reader, and audio jack.

Overall, the ViewSonic M2 is a solid projector for artists with stellar performance, a premium & attractive build, and all these within a budget projector price tag.

Rating

• Value for Money – 9/10
• Final Picture – 9/10
• Build Quality – 9/10
• Connectivity – 9/10
• Overall Score – 9

2. Optoma UHD38 – Best Premium Art Projector

Image Size – 300″ | Resolution – 4K | Brightness – 4000 Lumens | Lamp Life – 15,000 | Aspect Ratio – 16:9

Optoma UHD38 is our choice for the best premium art projector for tracing images. This digital projector is built for raw performance and is a great projector if you’re creating wall murals or large projects.

The UHD38 comes with a large 300″ max projected image size which looks great on any vertical surface. It also features a stellar 4K UHD resolution for a crisp and crystal clear digital image. For color reproduction, the UHD38 has an impressive 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.

This is supplemented by an RGBWRGBW 8-segment color wheel for rich and vivid colors on-screen. The contrast is excellent for displaying punchy, detailed black and white brightness resulting in impressive pictures.

In terms of brightness, the projector has a super bright 4000 Lumens output. This is more than sufficient for use in a bright room like an art studio filled with bright light boxes or studio lights.

Of all the projectors we’re featuring today, the UHD38 is undoubtedly the best digital projector in terms of raw performance.

Compared to the older version, the Optoma UHD30, the UHD38 upgrades the brightness, contrast, and faster gaming performance.

While some of the features aren’t integral for art projectors, since the UHD38 is only slightly pricier it’s worth the upgrade.

Rounding off the projector feature set are wide connectivity options including 2x HDMI, USB-A, VGA, RS-232, and audio jacks. But a downside of the projector is the lacking wireless connectivity. It also has a relatively low lamp life at only 15,000 hours.

Not to mention it’s bulky so it’s best to set up the projector somewhere you won’t move it. If you need something you can mount and forget, then the Optoma UHD38 is an excellent option.

It’s a feature-packed projector at a great price. It’s still expensive, but compared to other 4K options, it’s a steal.

Rating

• Value for Money – 8/10
• Final Picture – 10/10
• Build Quality – 9/10
• Connectivity – 8/10
• Overall Score – 8.75

3. Yaber V10 – Best Budget Art Projector

Image Size – 45″-350″ | Resolution – 1080p | Brightness – 9500L – 400 ANSI Lumens | Lamp Life – 100,000 | Aspect Ratio – 16:9

Next up we’ve got the best budget art projector, the Yaber V10. This is for the stereotypical struggling artist who needs the best digital projector at a discount. Even with the lower price point, the V10 is a capable art projector for tracing images.

The projector comes with a 9500 Lumens brightness which translates to roughly 400 ANSI Lumens. This means it can function in certain dim conditions, but it’s best used in a dark room.

The projector also has a 1080p native resolution which is great for the price. This ensures your images look sharp and clear. Any lesser and you might find projections blurry which can affect tracing and art projects.

However, the V10’s contrast is slightly lacking, measuring at only 12,000:1. This is expected considering the budget price tag. While images remain sharp, color accuracy takes a hit to accommodate the lower price.

It’s still usable, just not as vivid as other options on the list.

The V10 is a part of Yaber’s LED projectors lineup and it’s one of the latest in the series. Compared to the older version, the Yaber V5, the V10 upgrades the brightness, contrast, and native resolution.

These are substantial upgrades to projector functionality. You get brighter and crisper-looking images with the upgraded internals. This means you can use the projector in different lighting conditions and still get a clear picture.

Additionally, the V10 features fantastic adjustment options. There’s a 50-100% zoom function and 4-point keystone correction. This makes it much easier to adjust the image exactly to your frame or canvas.

The long 120,000 light-source life means you don’t need to maintain the projector often. Great for simple plug-and-play use for a couple of years. In terms of connectivity, you can connect both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices.

This makes the V10 easy to connect to your laptop or smartphone for effortless mirroring.

There are also wired connectivity options including 2x HDMI, 2x USB, AV, and audio jack ports. A microSD card reader would be great, but you shouldn’t find any trouble connecting your devices to the projector.

All in all, if you need a simple digital projector to trace images, this is a solid option. It has everything you need at an attractive price tag.

Rating

• Value for Money – 9/10
• Final Picture – 8/10
• Build Quality – 8/10
• Connectivity – 8/10
• Overall Score – 8.25

4. Artograph Flare 450

Image Size – 10″ – 120″ | Resolution – 1080p | Brightness – 450 Lux | Lamp Life – 30,000 | Aspect Ratio – 16:9

If you want a dedicated art projector for tracing images and the convenience of a digital projector, the Artograph Flare 450 is a great option. While the included specs aren’t the most powerful, there are some really useful features for artists.

But the brightness of the Flare 450 maxes out at 450 Lux, which converts to around 2000 Lumens. This is great for a dark room but doesn’t perform as well against bright light. To make up for it, the Flare 450 has a native 1080p resolution.

Images and videos look crisp and clear enough for daily usage. It’s not getting awards for color though, as it has a lackluster 1000:1 contrast ratio. The colors don’t look as vibrant as other projectors on the list.

But this shouldn’t be a problem if you want to use it only as an art projector and tracing.

When compared to the older version, the Artograph Flare150, the Flare 450 upgrades the brightness and native resolution.

The Flare 450 has better picture clarity and sharpness than the older model. This is important for the art projectors to ensure you see the exact image on-screen without distortions.

Additionally, the best feature this art projector comes with is 12 built-in grid patterns. This helps you draw accurately while keeping your project in proportion. This is a big advantage of the Flare 450 that you wouldn’t see on other digital projectors.

It’s a dedicated feature for artists and should help smoothen the process when tracing or drawing.

There are also multiple connectivity options including HDMI, Mini-VGA, USB, TF/Micro SD card reader, and audio jack.

Included in the package are a remote control and a 32GB USB drive. It’s also got a case to conveniently bring the art projector around. You can also connect a tripod stand for easy mounting.

A major downside of the Flare 450 is the high price tag. It’s comparable to other projectors on our list, for a lot less. Yes, it has dedicated features for artists but the rest of the specs make it a less attractive option.

If you are willing to spend the money for the added convenience of built-in grids and wide file support, the Artograph Flare 450 is an excellent choice.

Rating

• Value for Money – 7/10
• Final Picture – 8/10
• Build Quality – 8/10
• Connectivity – 7/10
• Overall Score – 7.5

5. Artograph Tracer

Image Enlargement – 2x to 14x | Brightness – 1600 Lumens | Lamp Life – 8000 | Copy Size – 5 x 5 in

For artists who want a simple projector to trace images, the Artograph Tracer opaque projector is one of the best entry-level options. This isn’t a digital projector which means you’re not able to connect your laptop, phone, or other devices.

It simply magnifies the image placed under it by using light to project onto a canvas. Don’t expect much other than this simple functionality. But when it works, it works well which is what matters most for art projectors.

The Tracer comes with a 1600 Lumens brightness which is sufficient only for use in dark rooms. This means the room should be completely dark without any lights to interfere with the projection surface. Otherwise, the image would not come out well.

This is a problem with opaque projectors so you need to use them in controlled lighting conditions.

The projector only accepts copies in 5″ x 5″ dimensions. This means you’ll need to print the image you want to trace in those proportions. When you have the image, simply place it under the projector and try not to move or disturb it.

But it can create a pretty large image, ranging from 2 – 14 times bigger than the original. This is more than sufficient for standard canvases. For murals or bigger projects, we’d advise you to check out one of the other projectors.

Compared to another model, the Artograph EZ Tracer, the Tracer has a larger copy size, bigger lens, and can enlarge bigger projections.

They’re not too differently priced so the original Tracer is the best option for an entry-level opaque projector.

The Tracer also comes with a lamp lasting 8000 hours and is compatible with other LED bulbs at 1600 Lux. This makes it easy to replace the bulb when necessary. But there are known issues with overheating, so keep that in mind.

If you want a simple art projector only used for enlarging physical images and sketches, the Artograph Tracer is a great option. It’s very affordable, easy to use, and bright in the right conditions.

Rating

• Value for Money – 9/10
• Final Picture – 7/10
• Build Quality – 7/10
• Image Size – 6/10
• Overall Score – 7.25

6. BenQ GS50

Image Size – 30″ – 110″ | Resolution – 1080p | Brightness – 500 ANSI Lumens | Lamp Life – 30,000 | Aspect Ratio – 16:9

Next up we’ve got another digital projector with some great features for artists, the BenQ GS50. This projector has an attractive build and is super portable to bring on the go. Chuck it in a backpack to the art studio and back home without worry thanks to the durable build.

The GS50 comes with a 500 ANSI Lumens brightness that can handle dim ambient lighting. That’s a high brightness considering the size. You’ll also get crisp and clear visuals with the 1080p native resolution.

Colors are also accurate and vibrant as the GS50 supports 98% Rec. 709 and HDR10/HLG.

There are also a few optimized picture modes to easily switch between color profiles. A great reference for artists who might want to adjust the projection’s color and try a different style. Rounding off the color performance is a fantastic 100,000:1 contrast ratio.

This results in deep blacks and bright whites to accurately project sketches and reference photos.

Compared to the older version, the BenQ GS2, the GS50 has upgraded resolution, speakers, and HDR10 support.

The GS50 also has better durability, making it ideal for projections in different environments. A higher resolution also means projections are as crisp as possible, making it our choice of the two.

Additionally, the projector has Wi-Fi support and comes with Android TV built-in. This is a fantastic addition and makes tracing things online much easier. Just pull it up on your projector and set up a canvas!

You can also use it to stream some Netflix with decent sound quality thanks to the dual 5W speakers and 10W subwoofer. Another great feature is the built-in 6000mAh battery. This will last you around 2.5 hours for tracing and drawing without plugging it in.

The BenQ GS50 is a fantastic art projector than has everything you’d need. The caveat is it’s pretty expensive. It’s also got limited wired connectivity with only an HDMI, USB-A, and USB-C ports.

Consider this option if you wanted a high-end portable projector that can do it all and can pay the hefty price.

Rating

• Value for Money – 7/10
• Final Picture – 8/10
• Build Quality – 8/10
• Connectivity – 7/10
• Overall Score – 7.5

7. Artograph Prism

Image Enlargement– 3x – 20x | Brightness – 3800 Lumens | Lamp Life – 8000 | Copy Size – 7″ x 7″

The last projector we’re featuring is another opaque projector, the Artograph Prism. This is one of the highest-end options for opaque projectors and comes at a high price.

If you’ve settled on getting an opaque projector and want the best money can buy, this is it.

The Prism features a bright 3800 Lumens brightness. But even with the higher usual brightness, you still need to use the projector in a dark room. This ensures you can see the image as sharp and bright as possible.

The projector also has a large 7″ x 7″ copy size. Any images or drawing you want to project will need to come in this size. It also includes a top-loaded glass copy area. You can simply unlatch the cover, put in your artwork, and project.

This helps keep the picture stable even if it’s moved.

The best part about the projector is the enlargement features. It can enlarge pictures 3x to 20x which is big enough for large projects. But it can also reduce the image size by up to 80% by simply reversing the lens.

There are a few lenses to choose from; a regular lens to increase or decrease image size and a Super Prism lens for high-definition enlargements. The Super Prism lens increases image clarity and is color corrected, resulting in detailed projections.

The projector also uses dual 250W lamps to enhance brightness. To avoid overheating issues, Prism features a dual-cooling system and safety overload circuits to ensure it isn’t a problem. You can confidently use the projector without worrying if it’ll burn out.

With everything it has to offer, the Artograph Prism is a fantastic opaque projector that addresses most issues of opaque projectors. It’s got a great cooling system, a stable copy area, and, powerful lenses.

It’s pricier than usual which is the only downside of an otherwise great projector.

Rating

• Value for Money – 7/10
• Final Picture – 8/10
• Build Quality – 7/10
• Image Size – 7/10
• Overall Score – 7.25

Art Projectors Buyer’s Guide

Resolution

The best projector will more than likely come with a higher resolution. Resolution is important as it sets a bar for how sharp and clear the image is. In general, a higher resolution is always better.

The most common are 1280 x 720 (HD), 1920 x 1080 (FHD), and 3840 x 2160 (4K).

For art projectors, you can pass with at least an FHD. This is to ensure you have the best clarity and sharpness to trace accurately. Any less and the image might be blurred, a common problem many graphic designers and artists face.

Brightness

Brightness is another important factor for projectors. Projector brightness dictates how well it can perform in different lighting conditions. Low brightness (100 – 1500 Lumens) will almost always need to be used in dark rooms.

A higher brightness also influences how the image looks on a projector screen. In general, always aim for the highest brightness you can. This ensures it’s bright enough for daily use even if there’s some ambient light in the room.

Projected Image Size

Since you’re working with art, how big or small the projected image size is, matters more than usual. If you’re the type to do different types of art, having a projector that can adjust the image size is important.

Most projectors will get you at least 100″ projections. If you need more, make sure to pay attention to the max size stated by sellers. This ensures you’ve got the right projector for the job.

Connectivity

Connectivity often relates to the ways you can use the projector. The best situation is when you can wirelessly connect to the projector with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and have ample wired connections if you need them.

All digital projectors will have an HDMI port. But if you specifically need a USB-C, card reader, VGA, or audio port, keep an eye out. Not all projectors feature the same ports.

FAQs

Are Digital Projectors for Artists Better than Opaque Projectors?

Digital Projectors are better than opaque projectors for artists. Digital projectors are more powerful and far more versatile than opaque projectors. They can achieve better quality with more connectivity options.

Do You Need an Expensive Digital Art Projector?

It’s not necessary to buy an expensive digital projector. Even budget projectors will be sufficient for artists. Get a projector that covers the basics well and then figure out the extras you want.

Does Resolution Matter for an Art Projector for Tracing?

Resolution is one of the biggest considerations when buying a projector for tracing. Resolution determines sharpness. If your projector doesn’t project sharp images, you’ll see distorted, blurred, and pixelated images on-screen.

How Do You Use a Projector for Drawing & Tracing?

To draw and trace with a projector, you need to find a reference photo or sketch you want to trace. Once you have one, project it via Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB, or microSD onto a canvas or pad. Then simply trace the outline and details.