Surface protectors

aka "Screen protectors"

Overview

There are many options to protect the surface of your tablet from scratches, etc. There are options for both pen tablets (screenless tablets) and pen displays (screen tablets).

Considerations for all tablets

Protectors do not interfere with the pen - These protective sheets do NOT interfere with how your pen works. The EMR signal from the pen, passes right through non-metallic materials such as plastic or glass.
Protectors do not interfere with touch - But check with the protector manufacturer to be sure.

Considerations for pen displays

Transparency - Protective sheets for pen displays must, of course, be transparent. Make sure you verify any protector you buy is intended for use with a pen display.
Anti-glare - you have to consider if the have an anti-glare treatment and how much anti-glare sparkle they cause. Some people are very sensitive to the amount of sparkle. So factor that into your choice. More here: anti-glare sparkle.
Parallax - Since parallax increases when the distance increases from the tip of the pen from the display panel. However, in practice these protectors are incredibly thin and the actual parallax increase is very very small and I've never heard anyone complain about the small bit of additional parallax they add.

Protection from the tablet manufacturer

Built-in screen protection on pen displays - Some pen displays arrive with a protective film already on top of the screen. The purpose of this screen is to prevent glare and protect the glass. It may be possible to replace that film. Contact your manufacturer to see if they sell replacement films. As an example: The Huion Kamvas 13 has a protective film on top of it that can be replaced: Huion - How to Replace Huion Pen Display Screen Protector
Wacom makes Texture Sheets available for its Intuos Pro pen tablets. More here: Wacom texture sheets
XP-Pen offers protective sheets for their tablets

3rd-party protectors for pen displays and pen tablets

Photodon screen protectors - Photodon sells pre-cut and custom-sized protectors for all kinds of devices including many drawing tablets. They have anti-glare films at different strengths so you can pick what works best for you. More here: Photodon screen protectors
ViaScreens - makes different types of protectors for devices with screens. https://viascreens.com/
atFoliX - These are listed on amazon and eBay for a variety of sizes and products. I've never tried them. These protectors are clear and be used for pen displays.
HealingShield - Another brand that can be used for pen displays. Here's one review - Review of the HealingShield Screen Protector for Wacom One DTC133 3/19/2023

3rd-party protectors for pen tablets

Foxbox - These are very rugged and opaque sheets good for pen tablets. And you can customize them with your own images. They have a HEAVY texture and will tend to wear through your nibs. More here: Foxbox covers
BlueBunny - I don't have any direct experience with their covers. They might be an option for some of you. https://bluebunny.store/
These paper protectors may be an option. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801092807991.html

iPad protectors

Paperlike for iPad
Bellemond
Benks
- Teoh on Tech - Benks Matte Screen Protector (artist review) 2024/06/14
SuperShieldz
- Teoh on Tech - Matte Screen Protector for drawing (review) 2023/06/12

DIY protection

You can in theory make your own surface protection
Learn more about using ePlastic polycarbonate sheets (velvet lexan)

Overview

Considerations for all tablets

Considerations for pen displays

Protection from the tablet manufacturer

3rd-party protectors for pen displays and pen tablets

3rd-party protectors for pen tablets

iPad protectors

DIY protection

Links