---
description: aka "Screen protectors"
---

# Surface 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). &#x20;

## Considerations for all tablets&#x20;

* **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. &#x20;
* **Protectors do not interfere with touch** - But check with the protector manufacturer to be sure.&#x20;

## 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**](../guides/pen-displays/anti-glare-sparkle).&#x20;
* **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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8CyIZfX8co)
* **Wacom** makes Texture Sheets available for its Intuos Pro pen tablets. More here: [**Wacom texture sheets**](surface-protectors/wacom-texture-sheets)&#x20;
* [**XP-Pen offers protective sheets for their tablets**](surface-protectors/xp-pen-protective-sheets)

### 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**](surface-protectors/photodon-screen-protectors)
* **ViaScreens** - makes different types of protectors for devices with screens. [**https://viascreens.com/**](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](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/11vr3sv/review_of_the_healingshield_screen_protector_for/) 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**](surface-protectors/foxbox-covers)&#x20;
* **BlueBunny** - I don't have any direct experience with their covers. They might be an option for some of you. [**https://bluebunny.store/**](https://bluebunny.store/)&#x20;
* These paper protectors may be an option. [https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801092807991.html](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801092807991.html)&#x20;
*

### iPad protectors

* [Paperlike for iPad](surface-protectors/paperlike-for-ipad) &#x20;
* Bellemond
* Benks&#x20;
  * [Teoh on Tech - Benks Matte Screen Protector (artist review)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZM_y38UiGU) 2024/06/14
* SuperShieldz&#x20;
  * [Teoh on Tech - Matte Screen Protector for drawing (review)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDRQDZh3kW8) 2023/06/12
* Astropad - Rock Paper Pencil
  * [Create Now Sleep Later - Astropad Rock Paper Pencil - Review & Demo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS8vSghyePw) 2025/06/10

### DIY protection

* You can in theory make your own surface protection
* Learn more about using [**ePlastic polycarbonate sheets (velvet lexan)**](surface-protectors/eplastic-polycarbonate-sheets-velvet-lexan)

## Links

* [Teoh on Tech - Should you get a screen protector for your tablet?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyNa7yLwrD0) 2023/08/13
* r/stylus - [Are you guys afraid of scratching your screen with stylus?](https://www.reddit.com/r/stylus/comments/yyix9r/are_you_guys_afraid_of_scratching_your_screen/) 11/18/2022
* r/wacom - [Protective sheet for Intuos4 M](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/p6omxz/protective_sheet_for_intuos4_m/) 8/18/2021
* r/wacom - [Best Wacom tablet protective film](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/qlrq7u/best_wacom_tablet_protective_film/) 11/3/2021
* r/wacom - [Paper on top of Digital Tablet for protection?](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/oy8i1r/paper_on_top_of_digital_tablet_for_protection/) 8/5/2021
* r/wacom - [Screen protection for wacom ctl 4100](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/l3yp8k/screen_protection_for_wacom_ctl_4100/) 1/24/2021
* r/wacom - [2nd screen protector for Cintiq 16?](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/ve2shi/2nd_screen_protector_for_cintiq_16/) 6/17/2022
* r/wacom - [How to remove / avoid pen marks on a cintiq screen?](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/sn534s/how_to_remove_avoid_pen_marks_on_a_cintiq_screen/) 2/7/2022
* r/wacom - [\[CINTIQ 16\] Just one year of use :(](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/vguc1a/cintiq_16_just_one_year_of_use/) 6/20/2022
* r/huion - [I just scratched my 2021 huion KAMVAS 16 screen; have I scratched a protective film or the screen itself?](https://www.reddit.com/r/huion/comments/10d6u79/i_just_scratched_my_2021_huion_kamvas_16_screen/) 1/16/2023
* r/wacom - [Do screen protectors worn out?](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/wr3zi1/do_screen_protectors_worn_out/) 8/17/2022
* r/wacom - [Do Wacom tablets comes with their protective film already attached in their package](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/qp5u1c/do_wacom_tablets_comes_with_their_protective_film/) 11/8/2021
* r/wacom - [Protective film for Wacom One](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/x9jsbl/protective_film_for_wacom_one/) 9/9/2022
* r/wacom - [Does the Wacom One have any kind of screen protection by default?](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/soijb4/does_the_wacom_one_have_any_kind_of_screen/) 2/9/2022
* r/wacom - [\[deleted by user\]](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/zv593v/does_cintiq_13hd_have_screen_protection_see_coment/) 12/25/2022
* r/wacom - [im very dumb (replace your pen nibs)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wacom/comments/vwy9q8/im_very_dumb_replace_your_pen_nibs/) 7/12/2022
