Initial activation force (IAF)

Overview

The Initial Activation Force (IAF) is the smallest amount of pressure that an EMR pen will detect and report.

A lower IAF is good because it allows you to draw finer details better.

Most modern EMR pens have an IAF of around 3gf - and a consider 3gf to be a very good IAF
Modern professional pens have an IAF of <= 1gf - this is considered an excellent IAF
Between 4gf and 6gf - I consider this to be OK and tolerable IAF.
Anything higher than 6gf I consider bad.

Very low IAF is not new. Wacom has been making pens for decades that have excellent low IAF. Their professional pen have had low IAF for a long time.

Here are some examples from Kuuube's measurements (using Open Tablet Driver) from his Wacom Tablet Mastersheet.

Pen

IAF

Tablet launch year

Wacom Pro Pen 2 (KP-504E) IAF

<1gf

2017

Wacom Pro Pen Slim (KP-301E) IAF

<1gf

Wacom Intuos4/5 Grip Pen (KP-501E)

<1gf

2009 and 2012

Wacom Intuos3 Grip Pen (ZP-501E)

<1gf

2004

Wacom Intuos2 Grip Pen (XP-501E)

<1gf

2001

Wacom Intuos1 Grip Pen (GP-300E)

<1gf

1998

Some people REALLY need that EXCELLENT IAF of <1gf.

Others like (myself included) work fine with a 3gf IAF. I definitely notice the difference but it doesn't effect me with the kind of art I create.

Last updated 2 hours ago