The best art projectors are not merely things to showcase artworks. Rather, they are tools that can help artists, whether new to creativity or not, to enlarge different works. It can also be used as a guide for transferring one artwork into another medium (think a small photograph turned into a large tapestry).
If you are interested in getting an art projector, there are different kinds available in the market. The most common ones nowadays are digital projectors. But, you can always do it the “old school” way by using a non-digital projector. This list includes both kinds plus a few portable options, too.
Best Art Projectors for Artists (Digital)
With the popularity of home theater projectors, digital projectors have become more affordable and accessible. This can be used by artists for tracing or enlarging their works. However, there are also digital projectors that are designed specifically for artworks and not just a double-purpose unit for watching movies. Check out digital projector options below:
Artograph Flare 450 Art Projector
Artograph has been around since the mid-1900s and produced the very first Artograph projector (non-digital). The company has moved into the future and released a digital art projector that delivers high-definition images that are vivid and bright.
With a 420 lux display, this projector has a 1920 x 1080 native image, projecting images as large as 120 inches. The LED lights have a lifespan of 30,000 hours while the rechargeable battery can stay on up to 150 minutes when it is on eco mode.
One of the best features of the Arograph Flare 450 is it comes with built-in grid patterns, making it easy for artists to trace by area or use a perspective they need for their work. Other features of this projector include a touchpad on the unit plus a separate remote control, a scroll wheel for manual focus, and vertical keystone adjustment.
PVO 300Pro
The PVO 300Pro is designed for projecting movies from a phone or a computer. But that doesn’t mean it’s exclusively for that use. You can also use this projector for artworks that are on your smartphone or laptop. Its native resolution is 800 x 480 but it can support 1080P full HD, working best in darker rooms. This projector can enlarge up to 150 inches.
With the PVO 300Pro, you need an outlet to make it work as it uses a power adapter. However, it’s also possible to make it work with just a power bank. There’s no need for WiFi or Bluetooth to make this projector work, it comes with connectivity options such as Micro SD, HDMI, and USB.
Epson VS250
If you aren’t a fan of dark rooms while doing your art, check out the Epson VS250. This projector boasts 3,200 lumens and delivers accurate colors and vivid hues even in a well-lit room. Setup is quick and easy and you can adjust settings with no trouble as buttons are right on the unit.
The Epson VS250 has an SVGA resolution of 800 x 600. Wireless and wired connectivity options are also available. It can work with computers and laptops as well as modern media players. This projector has an automatic vertical keystone and a manual easy slide correction for the horizontal keystone.
Acer C202i
The Acer C202i has an FWVGA native resolution of 854 x 480 but it can support up to UXGA 1600 x 1200. One of the best features of this projector is it comes with a tripod that you can adjust with ease. This makes projecting artworks that much more convenient.
You can expect bright projections as the Acer C202i has 300 Lumens. It also has a 16:9 native aspect ratio with support for 4:3. The lithium-ion battery on the projector can last up to 5 hours. For your convenience, this unit comes with a pouch for quick transfers. It also has an RF remote so you don’t have to adjust settings directly on the projector.
BenQ HT2150ST
If you have little space in your art room, you might want to look in on the BenQ HT2150ST. Since it is a short-throw projector, it will produce greater images at shorter distances. This projector boasts 2,200 ANSI Lumens and a native resolution of 1080P full HD.
From just 3 feet away, you can project up to 100 inches with the BenQ HT2150ST—the maximum is 300 inches. This projector uses DLP technology, which is the same technology used in IMAX theatres and cinemas. You can expect a 15,000:1 aspect ratio, accurate colors, and crisp details from this unit.
Best Photo Art Projectors (Portable)
Now, most of the projectors already listed above are portable enough as it is. But this section pushes the envelope on the portability of projectors. It’s perfect for artists who have multiple studios or just prefer working in different art spaces. Below are some of the smallest and lightest art projectors in the market:
Kodak Luma 150
The Kodak Luma 150 may be small but it definitely packs a punch. This pocket projector can create images up to 150 inches. it has a 60 Lumen brightness and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. Its native resolution is 854 x 480 but it can support up to 4K. The super bright LED lamps have a life of 3,000 hours and can project 16.7m display colors.
Weighing less than 1lb, the Kodak Luma 150 is easy to bring wherever. It also comes with an HDMI cable and USB to micro-USB cable for quick connectivity. You can also project artworks directly from your mobile phone using Miracast or Airplay. Additionally, a microSD card slot can also be found on the unit. The rechargeable battery can last 2.5 hours.
Sony MP-CD1
The pocket-sized MP-CD1 may resemble a power bank or an external hard drive but it is actually a short-throw projector. It has 105 Lumen and can project up to 120 inches. You don’t have to worry about setup as this projector has automatic Keystone correction and has a 5-second boot.
With a built-in 5,000 mAh battery, you can project artworks cable-free for up to 2 hours. To allow wireless connectivity, you may attach an HDMI dongle to the Sony MP-CD1. This unit weighs approximately 0.62lbs and can fit in the palm of your hand.
Best Projectors for Transferring Art Image (Non-Digital)
Back when there was no digital camera and computers weren’t as advanced, how did artists transfer art images? The following are art projectors that are non-digital. Some still prefer these units even if they have limitations.
Artograph Prism Art Projector
Artograph was the leading manufacturer of art projectors in the past. Their units are quite superior as artists can enlarge or minimize images with them. The Artograph Prism is an opaque art projector that is used for canvases or walls. It can enlarge artworks up to 20 times. Subsequently, if you reverse the lens, artworks can be reduced in size by up to 80%.
A dark room to get the best results with the Artograph Prism. This unit has a 200mm optical lens and a 7×7-inch top-loading glass copy area plus 500 watts lighting. To keep originals safe, this projector has a safety overload circuit and a dual-cooling system.
Kopykake 300XK
Another opaque projector is the Kopykake 300XK. This unit is unique as it already comes with a table clamp. You can work directly on your notebook or blank sheet on a desk without having to worry about the projector falling. This unit can be used even in normal lighting conditions and not just in a dark room as it has a 250w ECA lamp.
Kopykake 300XK is designed to stay in place. The company originally created art projectors for cake designing but has extended to other forms of art. You can copy images or photos as large as 6 x 6 inches. The copy area on the projector uses spring clips to hold images in place.
Artograph Tracer Art Projector
Although tracing is still a point for debate in the art community, you can’t deny how helpful the Artograph Tracer is. This opaque art projector is able to enlarge images 2x to 14x the original size. For the best quality of images, make sure to use the projector in a dark room.
The Artograph Tracer uses 1,600 Lumens and has a 5,000K color temperature. Moreover, it has a 5 x 5-inch copy area. Setting up is a breeze and you only need to twist the lens to get a better focus on the image.
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