From the classical artists to the experts of today, the legacy of using a projector for art continues. From the first Artograph to the current Impression 1400 and Inspire 1000, the projector has always been recognized as an important tool for designers, crafters, designers, and other inspirational people. Both opaque and digital projectors can produce an image on a distant surface for viewing, scaling, tracing, design, or layout. This freedom allows an artist or designer to compose and craft with greater accuracy and speed without sacrificing any creative control or integrity. The new projectors of today also offer additional tools that help artists evaluate and see different aspects during the creative process. Projectors are some of the most important tools in helping artists bring their thoughts into reality.

Choosing the Right Art Projector
Before you can choose the right projector, it's important to consider your needs as an artist. Here are some important things to consider in the purchasing process.



Do I need an opaque projector or a digital projector?
Digital projectors function by using images that have been stored on a flash drive, tablet, smartphone, or computer. These projectors also have the ability to project live photos and videos from a phone's camera, PowerPoint files, Word documents, and PDF files. These images can be manipulated on the projector in real-time. Whether you want to change an image from black and white to color or enhance an image's opacity, all of these options are available when using a digital projector.

These customizable features can help an artist make decisions and changes on the fly without having to stop. As creativity cannot be turned on and off like a faucet, it is nice to have this freedom. Digital projectors have taken centuries of technological advancements and geared them towards improving the creative process overall. These projectors will allow your creativity to flow naturally and unimpeded.

Opaque projectors are more traditional than digital projectors. They are even considered vintage and classic by some artists. These projectors work with a large light, an arm, and a stand. A bright light is shined through a piece of paper, such as an illustration or photograph, and the image is projected onto a surface in the distance. 3-D objects, like a statue, can also be used with opaque projectors. These types of projectors typically have to be used in a darkened or dimly lit room to work effectively. When used in a bright room, the images may not appear clear enough to use.

Opaque projectors are not as dynamic as modern, digital options. The only variations available on opaque projectors are the light bulb and lens being used. These options are even limited due to the lack of opaque projectors still in production. Overall, these projectors don't offer the same amount of creative freedom that digital projectors can provide users. In reality, these projects have fallen out of use in nearly all industries.

What kind of image resolution do I need?
There's a constant battle raging between two camps regarding image resolution for art projectors. Some people think that the latest and greatest image quality is required to make great art, and others argue that the image resolution isn't as important as the art being created. In order to make the problem more clear, there are two primary image resolutions currently in use for projectors: HD and 4K. HD projectors have an image quality output at a rating of 1080p. On the other hand, 4k projectors offer an image resolution just under 4000p.



At first blush, many artists are convinced to purchase a 4k projector because of the superior image quality that is offered. After all, it seems reasonable to assume that greater image resolution will result in better art overall. A quick look at the price tag for most of these 4k projectors will get any artist to rethink this initial presumption.

Can great art really come out of an HD projector? Is the image resolution between the two models really noticeable?
These are the questions that every artist should be asking when in the market for a solid projector. Instead of asking other people to answer the question, you can run a test by yourself. Find a store that has both 4k and HD projectors on display. Project the same exact image or video on both devices and try to determine any differences. You'll quickly realize that no difference is noticeable right away. You will even have trouble finding the smallest discrepancies in this image resolution.



In reality, HD projectors offer more than enough image quality for the modern artist. Whether you're just starting out or have been living off of your art for decades, these projectors have all of the functionalities required to make solid art. While 4k projectors may offer better resolution on paper, the differences aren't noticeable in real life. When you're focused on making great art, these numerical and technical differences have no bearing.

Are 4k projectors worth the cost?
Now that we've established that HD projectors offer everything an artist will need in terms of image quality, it's time to drive the point home with cost. 4K projectors cost a lot of money. There is no way to dodge this reality. For many artists who are struggling to make ends meet with their projects, these 4k projectors simply won't be an option.

First-time projector buyers often think that they need to spend an arm and a leg on their projector. Remember you aren't buying a 4k projector here and there are lots of choices under 200. You can always buy a used projector if you still feel that the new, HD models are too expensive. After all, the most important aspects of this purchase are improving your art and saving money.