DIY Drawing Light Box: Create Your Own Light Box at Home
A light box is a great tool for anyone who loves to draw, especially comic artists, fashion designers, and animators. Whether you’re a professional artist or a hobbyist, having a light box at home can save you time, money, and a lot of hassle. But what if you can’t afford or don’t want to buy a light box? Luckily, it’s easy to make one yourself with some basic supplies and a bit of time.
Drawing light boxes are great for tracing, making corrections to drawings, and transferring images from one surface to another. It’s also a great way to save money, as you can make one for about $20. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make a DIY drawing light box in just a few simple steps.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
The supplies you’ll need for your DIY drawing light box are pretty basic, and you may already have some of them at home. Here’s a list of the supplies you’ll need:
- A 4”x4” or larger piece of 1/4” thick acrylic or Plexiglas
- A 4”x4” or larger piece of 1/8” thick opaque plastic
- Tape (masking tape or duct tape work best)
- A glue gun
- Glue sticks
- Four small binder clips
- A LED light strip
- A power adapter
Step 2: Assembling the Light Box
Once you have all your supplies, it’s time to start assembling your light box. Start by laying out the acrylic and plastic pieces side by side. Make sure the edges are lined up evenly. Then, use a glue gun to glue the two pieces together. Make sure the glue is evenly distributed and that there are no gaps between the two pieces. Once the glue has dried, use the tape to secure the two pieces together.
Next, use the binder clips to attach the light strip to the top edge of the acrylic and plastic pieces. Make sure the clips are securely attached and that the light strip is evenly distributed across the top of the light box. Finally, connect the power adapter to the light strip and plug it into an outlet.
Step 3: Using Your Light Box
Now that your light box is assembled, you’re ready to start using it! Place your drawing paper on the bottom of the light box and turn on the light strip. You’ll be able to see your drawing through the translucent plastic and be able to trace it accurately. You can also use the light box to transfer images from one surface to another, or to make corrections to your drawings.
A DIY drawing light box is a great way to save money and still have a high-quality light box for your art projects. With just a few simple supplies and a bit of time, you can make your own light box and start creating beautiful art. We hope this tutorial has been helpful and that you’ll enjoy using your light box!

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