IKEA Hack: How to Make a DIY Lightbox for Tracing on the Cheap
I have a built-in lightbox in one of my office worksurfaces, and it’s one of my top three favorite features. Since having it, I’ve found all kinds of useful ways to take advantage of it, and it’s now a tool I find indispensible.
But, head to your local art store, and you can expect to pay a minimum of $100 for such a tool, which, if you’re a professional artist, is probably worth it. But for the average creative-type, it’s a lot for some lights and a clear thing to draw on.
Which, of course, is why you should make your own.
Erik came up with this technique, using an inexpensive string of LED lights from IKEA and a clear piece of plexiglass. Since he has access to a hacker space/community workshop with all kinds of fancy tools, he made a custom case using a WaterFlow jet cutter, but you could just as easily rig up the whole thing in an inexpensive frame you grabbed at IKEA as well.
Chris
