- Discover
- Products
-
Enterprise
Wacom for Enterprise
Signature
SolutionsReview, annotate, and sign digital documents with Wacom hardware and software solutions.
Creative Workflow Solutions
Enhance your creative process with professional pen displays, pen tablets and creative software integration.
Technology
SolutionsOptimization and efficiency technologies for the world's leading businesses.
Wacom Ink Technologies
A universal inking engine and ink layer framework which connects hardware, software and applications.
Creative Education
Solutions to help educators and students create, communicate and maximize the learning experience.
-
Education
Creative Education
Inspire your students to expand their creative horizons and prepare them for successful careers in art and design.
General Education/STEM
Supporting teachers and students to adapt to new learning environments.
Learn and teach wherever you are
Wacom pen displays and pen tablets for every need
Wacom Education discount
Get exclusive discounts in the Wacom eStore as student or teacher. Available on selected Wacom products.
- Support
- STORE
Pride of Wacom
Dive Deeper: The Next Level of Creation, Powered by Narrow Bezels
To Shrink the Bezel, We First Had to Understand the Display
The trend in digital devices was the trigger that prompted Wacom to pursue narrow bezels. Work in this vein kicked off approximately six years ago. It was a time when bezels on display products were shrinking, and sleek, functional designs utilizing the entire panel area started to become mainstream. Wacom, too, felt a strong sense of urgency to “keep pace with the changing times”. Rising to the challenge, Wacom set out to completely reimagine its flagship pen display—the Wacom Cintiq Pro series.
In order to push forward with the shift to narrower bezels, the team first needed to develop a deeper understanding of display technology. A narrower bezel meant less physical space for components like sensors and coils that were traditionally housed beneath. Sensors, in turn, had to be downsized and with less surface area, it became harder for them to detect signals from the display. On top of that, increased noise from the LCD results in impaired SNR*1. Ultimately, accomplishing a narrower bezel demanded an even greater command and understanding of the display itself.
Yoshihiro Kotani who spearheaded Wacom’s narrow bezel initiative and managed efforts to mitigate noise between the display and EMR, looks back on the project’s inception.
“Back when Wacom first began working on narrowing the bezels on its products, there were only a few members with expertise in display technology. Consequently, when we kicked off development for the next Wacom Cintiq Pro series, we also made the decision to establish a new department called ‘Display Engineering.’ We then proceeded to onboard several display-savvy members, enabling us to engage in close, in-depth discussions with display manufacturers. In fact, the most time-consuming part of advancing the narrow-bezel design was dialoguing with display manufacturers.” (Kotani)
In reality, it took more than a year before the project truly got underway. During that time, Kotani worked tirelessly, directing all of his efforts towards improving SNR*1. He disassembled displays, analyzed the circuits in detail, and ran countless simulations.
“For the first couple of years, my time was mainly spent on preliminary testing and research. In the new product design, the metal housing and framework led to a weakened signal. When the signal drops, the device loses the ability to accurately track the pen’s position. Furthermore, the noise from the display was so significant that it drowned out the signal. With the Wacom Cintiq Pro series, we had set our sights on achieving 4K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate*2, but there were times when we thought we might have to abandon that goal. Nevertheless, it remained my mission to reduce the noise. Ultimately, we learned that implementing noise cancellation on our EMR*3 sensors simply would not result in the performance levels that we sought, leading us to also pursue optimization of the display itself in partnership with display manufacturers. After countless trials and errors, we finally managed to find the solution.” (Kotani)
As Kotani reminisced about finding the 'key' he was looking for, his face beamed with the satisfaction of a seasoned engineer.
*1 SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio): The ratio of the desired signal (S: Signal) to noise (N: Noise), expressed in logarithmic form, used to measure the performance of electrical circuits, communication systems, audio equipment, and similar devices.
*2 Refresh Rate: A numerical value indicating the number of times a LCD screen is refreshed per second.
*3 EMR: EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) is a display-related technology patented by Wacom. The technology consists of a sensor layer and a reinforced glass layer located behind a device's LCD display screen.
Narrower Bezels: The Quest for a Smaller Physical Footprint
A wider bezel gives engineers more room to place components like coils and sensors around the edges, but striving for a narrower bezel reduces the amount of physical space available, making the job that much harder. To achieve the required bezel width, we had to carefully trim down every possible element—from the LCD (liquid crystal display) module to the casing components—tightening the overall width bit by bit.This important task was assigned to Yutaka Nomura, an EMR module mechanical engineer.
“Shrinking the LCD module without compromising pen accuracy - we took on a fresh approach in order to overcome these two challenges. One such example is the new digitizer*4 adopted from the Wacom Cintiq Pro series. We applied CNC machining*5 to the outer frame of the digitizer to improve dimensional stability and accuracy, whilst also making changes to the assembly process. It took considerable effort to fine-tune the build so that the LCD module and digitizer stayed as closely aligned as possible for maximum accuracy. In previous models, the LCD module housing was made of metal. Because metal can reduce accuracy when placed too close to the digitizer, starting with the Wacom Cintiq Pro series, we began using resin for the outer walls while still incorporating metal in other areas. The resin parts are created using a technique called insert molding, which involves placing the metal pieces into the mold first and then pouring resin into the mold to fuse everything together. The decision to employ resin in the design was driven solely by the desire to reduce the bezel. Beginning with the Wacom Cintiq series, we infused glass fibers into the resin to enhance strength and durability. And by replacing traditional mounting methods with advanced adhesives and double-sided tape, we were able to further narrow the bezel. Step by step, these small trials came together culminating in Wacom’s first-ever narrow-bezel product.” (Nomura)
As Wacom’s flagship line, the Wacom Cintiq Pro series had more flexibility in pricing, allowing for the refined, premium finish the design demanded. In contrast, the Wacom Cintiq series—aimed at a broader audience—required careful cost control. The team preserved the narrow-bezel concept by using general-purpose displays and fine-tuning the EMR through software and firmware. By adjusting the refresh rate from 120Hz to 60Hz, the design further minimized noise for a cleaner, more stable experience. Drawing inspiration from our flagship model, the new Wacom Cintiq series was born from the relentless pursuit of striking the perfect balance between performance and affordability.
*4 Digitizer: FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit. A thin and flexible board made from plastic film) and FR-4 (Glass fiber fabric woven into a cloth and infused with epoxy resin to create a rigid board. Balances flame resistance and low conductivity) are combined with magnetic layer sheets to form the sensor base
*5 CNC Machining (Computer Numerical Control Machining): A process that uses computer-controlled machinery to create precise, high-quality parts and products. Based on data designed with CAD and CAM software, materials are automatically cut, drilled, or engraved.
Maintaining Pen Performance: Optimizing the Algorithm
Yukari Tonosaki spearheaded the development of the EMR module’s software and firmware*6. The team meticulously refined the algorithms used to not only maintain, but improve pen cursor accuracy even when sensor signals were reduced. What Tonosaki and the team kept foremost in mind was this - “The pen’s performance should remain uncompromised, no matter how narrow the bezel has become.”
“In earlier designs, there was a clear benchmark for how far inward from the sensor edge the pen needed to deliver precise performance. With the bezel now narrower and the sensor smaller, the space from the sensor to the screen edge shrank, expanding the area where the pen had to deliver flawless performance. With the previous algorithms, performance near the edges could no longer be maintained properly, causing lines to bend or the cursor to drift from its intended path. Collaborating with the sensor design team, we explored coil widths and arrangements, and adopted entirely new algorithms to pinpoint a configuration that would deliver flawless performance in the finished product. With conventional calculations falling short, entirely new processing techniques were devised to maintain pen accuracy across the screen. By analyzing the signals from the smaller sensor and incorporating reverse-calculated corrections to eliminate errors, the team was able to build software that keeps the cursor precisely where the user wants it.” (Tonosaki)
Even though there may be some overlap across products, the pen must be individually calibrated for each model to ensure precise performance near the screen edges. Because each product uses different casing, component materials, and mechanical structure, solutions must be uniquely tailored rather than simply reused and recycled. Thus, while all products may share a common underlying algorithm, the ultimate solution must be carefully tailored for the product at hand.
“Another engineer oversaw the Wacom Cintiq Pro series, while I personally led the development of the latest Wacom Cintiq series. While preserving the core foundation, we enhanced the algorithm by applying new insights and knowledge gained via products developed following the launch of the Wacom Cintiq Pro series. It was like taking the expertise we had already built over the years and adding a fresh layer of innovation.” (Tonosaki)
The latest Wacom Cintiq series now supports the flagship Wacom Pro Pen 3. It delivers seamless precision, allowing artists to draw freely even along the very edges of the display. Hearing someone say “Drawing felt so natural, I didn’t even give it any thought” is perhaps the highest praise an engineer could ask for.
*6 Software and Firmware: Software refers to all types of programs that run on PCs or smartphones, such as apps and operating systems. Firmware, on the other hand, is a control program built directly into the hardware itself, managing the device’s fundamental operations. The key difference lies in their roles: software enables flexible updates and feature enhancements, while firmware is tightly linked to the hardware, ensuring stable and reliable performance.
A Milestone in Technological Evolution: The Pursuit of a Narrower Bezel Continues
Building on Kotani’s proposed requirements for the display and EMR sensor, Tonosaki refined the software and firmware, and Nomura miniaturized the components to bring the finished product to life. Nomura reflects that, “Being able to share a core design vision from the very start made it possible for engineers with differing roles to work in tandem with one another without losing their own sense of craftsmanship.” Because they had conducted extensive preliminary research prior to full-scale development, the team was able to move ahead with confidence and clarity.
Wacom’s tablets have been made even more compelling through the achievement of a narrower bezel design. The engineers turn their thoughts towards new user experiences ahead.
“As Wacom’s first narrow-bezel offering, the Wacom Cintiq Pro series combines stunning optical performance, a high refresh rate, and improved pen latency, making it a display that Wacom confidently considers industry-leading. Its design has been crafted to be both modern and stylish. The EMR system delivers its full potential. Designed to satisfy diverse creative needs, we hope this product will inspire and delight creators of every kind.” (Kotani)
“Both the Wacom Cintiq Pro and Wacom Cintiq series deliver enhanced performance in a more compact form than ever before. With the additional space, you now have room for a keyboard or other tools, expanding the creative possibilities like never before. I’d be thrilled if we could bring a whole new feel to the pen for creators.” (Nomura)
“By incorporating technology from the Wacom Cintiq Pro series while carefully controlling costs, the renewed Wacom Cintiq series offers a flagship-level experience. If you’re using the previous Wacom Cintiq generation released in 2019, you’ll see just how far the series has come over the last six years. Whether you’re a professional artist or a casual creator, we hope this device helps you dive even deeper into your craft.” (Tonosaki)
The move to a narrower bezel goes beyond aesthetics; it challenges the very essence of the display, reshaping traditional ideas and reinventing how users engage with it. Our quest to perfect the narrow bezel continues, all in the name of a deeper, more immersive user experience.
Igniting the creativity of professional artists!
The pride of Wacom – Wacom Pro Pen 3
Learn more
The very best in every respect:
no compromise in achieving the "ultimate balance"
Learn more
Catching that sparkling moment:
the birth of Wacom's first ever device with full-fledged portability
Learn more
Delivering an immersive creative experience at all times:
Eliminating all unnecessary design elements to focus on what really matters
Learn more
After 5 Years:
The New IC Enables The Best Pen Experience
Learn more
Designed to Blend Seamlessly into Creative Workflows:
The Redesigned High-End Pen Tablet
Learn more
30 Years in the Making:
Shaping the Next Standard
Learn more
Dive Deeper:
The Next Level of Creation, Powered by Narrow Bezels
Learn more
