Best Drafting Tables for Aspiring Artists

Do you know an aspiring artist? Maybe you want to experiment with art yourself? Then you've come to the right place. In today's blog post, we'll deal with tables that are the best for novice artists and even those who have been around the paint cans a few times. Whether you use pencils, paintbrushes, rulers, or even light to create your artwork, you can rest assured that there are drafting tables out there for you. Here's five of the best for anyone ready to pursue their creative side!

First up, we give you the 19652 Ultima Fold-A-Way Table by Studio Designs for your artistic needs. This table is ideal for younger artists, those trapped in cramped dorm rooms, or anyone that prefers to dabble a bit on the weekends. The reason why is because this table is designed to fold away when not in use, so it's perfect for anyone that does not devote tons of time to artistic pursuits. For those stuck in dorms or bedrooms, it can easily hide in the closet or under the bed when the user has no need of it. Ideal for anyone in art school, this table features a tilt angle of up to thirty degrees. It also boasts a tray to hold pens, pencils, and other artsy materials. For only a bit over a hundred dollars, it's no wonder this affordable table is called the "ultima."

This next table is perfect for the versatile artist. The 7772A Ranger Split Top Drafting Table by Mayline boasts two tables in one. It makes a great gift for graphic designers, computer artists, and drafters because the side table provides the opportunity for a computer or small television where users have easy access. The larger art table is capable of tilting up to fifty degrees from a horizontal position and the setup even includes a tool drawer for convenience. Users can do art there while they watch television or reference their computer for schematics or inspiration.  The Ranger is the ideal table for multitaskers and tech lovers that harbor interests in art or drafting.

For the kings and queens of crafting, we give you the 13245 Pro Craft Station by Studio Designs for all your artsy needs. This table makes a super gift for scrapbookers, paper cutters, bedazzlers, and glitz gurus. The Pro Craft Station features plenty of storage space in the form of drawers and side trays for accessories like glue, scissors, and rulers. A slide up pencil ledge keeps drawing utensils from going AWOL and a padded footrest allows artists to rest their feet while they create. As if that weren't enough, the table even features wheels for mobility and an affordable price to make competitors cringe. If you are an avid crafter, the Pro Craft Station is never a bad addition to your creative arsenal.

For more serious artists, never say no to the 410608 Cascade Magnetic Table by Studio Designs if you can. This table is perfect for drafters and artists that spend a lot of time working with paper. Anyone that has spent a modicum of time drawing will easily tell you that one of the most annoying things about the activity is trying to keep the paper still. Fortunately, the Cascade features a magnetic top with four magnets included to relieve this very problem. The table features four removable art trays for pens and pencils, and two storage bays for books, instruction manuals, paper, or magazines. With a tempered safety glass tabletop that can adjust thirty degrees, the Cascade is a steal at its affordable price!

And finally, we leave you with the 10080 Catalina Split Top LS Workcenter by Studio Designs for the well rounded artist. This table is excellent for those that don't mind working where they play. The Catalina Split Top makes the perfect gift for drafters and artists that need lots of workspace. One side of the table tilts upward for artwork while the other side can be left flat for computers or to double as a desk. The result is an affordably priced table with incredible versatility that can be lit from beneath for tracing or drafting purposes. It is on of the most popular stylish tables for drafting purposes on the market for a reason and should never be passed up!

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Best Contemporary Craft Stations for Sale

In a today's market, sometimes the only way for a company to get noticed is to give people some eye-candy. Results show that if a company hires good artists to create their ads, design their websites, and create their logos, the company as a whole gets recognized much faster and produces more sales. With so many companies looking for great artists, designers and craftspeople everywhere are looking for the perfect things to help them get their work done. So for professionals, beginners, architects, painters, students, or just people with limited space, there is nothing more helpful than a quality compact craft station!

Where better to start than the basics for a beginner? If you're a regular joe whose perhaps considering a transition into the world of art, there is no better place to start than with a craft station like the Ultima Fold-A-Way Table by Studio Designs for your artistic needs. Beginner tables like this are great for  anyone in need of a great crafts table. It also makes a great solution for anyone with back problems, as it can easily double as an angled writing desk so users can actually use the backrests of those office chairs rather than just dreaming of it. Equipped with all the basics needed for any beginner artist or draftsperson, this table comes with the brilliant added bonus of the ability to fold flat for easy storage, making it perfect for students or anyone with limited space! 

For something a little more flexible in design, the Mayline Ranger Split-Top Table is a fantastic option. This product not only provides an angled drafting table for artistic or academic use, but it also provides a small flat side table built right in! These split-top tables are wonderful choices because they provide an unmoving flat place to set objects that might slide down or break if set on the angled desk. The side table can support a small flatscreen TV for the multitasking artist or nice adjustable monitor arms for computers for students, architects, or web designers. As an extra plus, this table also provides a small drawer for additional storage. For anyone in need of versatile tables or home executive desks, this little beauty is never a bad choice!

Looking for a table just for artists? The Cascade Magnetic Table by Studio Designs is a wonderfully functional table for anyone, but it was definitely designed with the artistic in mind! Complete with a tempered glass safety top, molded slide pencil drawers for storage, bays for books, paper, or magazines, and  four removable art trays for pens, pencils, brushes, erasers, rulers and anything else you've got, you cant go wrong with this table. Designed for the studio, this table also features a magnetic tabletop with magnets included so you dong have to worry about your artwork sliding all over the desk while you work. 

For designers or architects that spend a lot of time refining their work, lighted drafting tables like the Ranger Steel Drafting Lighted Table by Mayline, have great crafting applications, so they are a must. These lighted tables are usually equipped with glass tops that provide a backlight source so that artists can see the work on the page beneath the page on top that they are actually working on. Tables with these special lights allow artists to trace their preliminary work so that it can be altered or refined. For architects and engineers, it allows them to see what all the blueprints or different aspects of a room or building might look like when put together, making tables are priceless additions to any studio.

And finally, the creme de la creme! For the ultimate in craft stations, the Catalina Split Top Workcenter simply cannot be topped! These stylish tables are perfect for studios or even as office desks because of their highly professional look. The Catalina Split Top featured a gorgeous tempered blue safety glass desktop as well as a powdered steel frame for durability. Not only that, this table is also extremely versatile, with flat table space and glass desks that can be easily angled for artistic use or lighted from beneath for drafting purposes. Just add yourself a few stylish modern desk chairs, and your workspace is ready to go!

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What To Look For In A Professional Drafting Table

 

Drafting tables are incredibly popular. Architects, artists, and crafting professionals all require a quality drafting table to get their jobs done effectively. Often, the question is asked what makes a drafting table worthy of a professional title. With so many models available on the market today, it's hard to know which tables will work best for your individual needs. This article highlights the important traits and characteristics any high end drafting table should feature to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

The first and most obvious trait of a professional drafting table is the price. While beginner models are available for around $250 from reputable brands like Studio Design, high end tables can range in the thousands. While this might sound like a strain on the average budget, the benefits and extended life span of a well made table is hard to beat. One popular model, the Ranger Drafting Table can be purchased for as low as $553.99 and is a real favorite amongst the architectural crowd.

 

Secondly, a professional table should feature a durable top. While glass drafting table solutions look fantastic, a thermally fused laminate surface or metal top will last much longer. For this reason, the top of your table is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping. Architects and artists alike will often choose a lighted drafting table top as it provides excellent visual benefits and makes work a whole lot easier!

Another important factor is the table base. High end tables should feature a four leg design. This post style approach promotes stability. While beginner drafting table models often showcase fancy leg designs that look great in home office environments, they don't bode well for every day use. Those intending to subject their product to daily use will want a rugged frame that ensures commercial grade craftsmanship. In most cases, steel and solid wood is preferred.

Ergonomic adjustability is a trait that will surely keep you comfortable and working at your highest levels of productivity when drafting. While most tables offer some form of surface adjustment regardless of price and style, top quality models will offer a far greater range of movement. Height adjustable drafting table solutions as well as split top drafting table models are an excellent indication of this valuable trait. A tables adjustment capabilities provides versatility and a wide range of motions that should be tested before purchasing if possible. Several top drafting tables are actually rather difficult to adjust compared to others. Electronic options are available but will often drive up the cost of your table. Hand operated models typically work perfectly and leave a far smaller window of areas to breakdown over time.

Lastly, any respectable table should come with a warranty. All Mayline Drafting Tables for example come with a manufacturers guarantee that keeps you protected throughout the life of your product. This guarantee provides security for your investment and should not be overlooked. While most brands will cover manufacturers defects, it's nice to know that quality manufacturers like Mayline provide extended coverage, replacement parts, and much more for your table. Opting to go with a preferred brand of this nature is always a smart choice.

In the long run, testing a variety of professional drafting tables will ensure you get this best bang for your buck. Doing your homework will always save you money when shopping regardless of the products your interested in. No matter the table you decide to utilize, make sure to not overlook the efficiency improving details like ergonomic drafting chairs as well as flat file cabinets to keep you important documents secure and protected. Top online providers will be happy to provide bulk discounts, free shipping, and coupons for shoppers looking to outfit their entire work area. This little tip is an excellent way to save a bundle!

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