How to pick drafting supplies for Architecture

A drawing board is one of the most essential drafting supplies for any architect. Also sometimes called a drawing table, this tool is exactly what it sounds like: a flat surface upon which an architect can draft their plans. A drawing board’s slanted surface and stable construction makes it easy to sit and comfortably produce drafts. It is specially designed to be ergonomic so that the user may remain comfortable even for extended periods of use. Just make sure you’re using the right pens and pencils when you’re hard at work drawing.

T-squares are an important technical drafting tool for several reasons. They enable an architect to draw precise horizontal and vertical lines, and they are commonly used in conjunction with the aforementioned drawing board. Rules serve a similar purpose but lack the T-square’s signature stock. Some of the most common sizes for both include:

• inches
• inches
• inches
• inches
• inches

Whether you prefer a ruler or T-square for your line-drawing needs, both are an essential addition to the architect’s tool box.

Lines aren’t the only thing an architect needs to draw. An architect also needs a drafting tool to create shapes such as circles, triangles, octagons, and more! Tools such as a flexible edge curve make it possible to do exactly this and create seamless, measured shapes to draft with. A flexible edge curve features a customizable shape so that users can mold it to whatever shape they need to draw. This is just one of many shape-drawing tools that is indispensable to an architect.

Templates are yet another drafting tool that an architect relies on daily. Templates come in nearly all shapes and sizes, with some designed specifically for architecture, and some made simply for general drawing. Any template stencil can be useful to an architect, but templates that feature stencils specifically for interior design or construction planning are essential for an architect artist. These tools make drafting simple by providing stencil outlines for some of the most commonly drawn items.

An architect can’t draw without a pen or pencil in their hand — and just any pen or pencil won’t do. Like the rest of the drafting supplies that an architect uses, their writing utensils need to be specialized for the task at hand. In addition to specially designed pens and pencils, one writing tool that architects can take advantage of is a lead holder. A lead holder, which is also sometimes called a drafting pencil, unites a wooden pencil’s expression with a mechanical pencil’s convenience. Features such as rubber grips and oversized erasers make this tool a great investment for any architect or draftsman.

Drafting machines are one of the best architecture tools to invest in. They take the guesswork out of architectural drafting and make it easier than ever to sync your work with a CAD program for digital enhancement. This mechanism utilizes two scales mounted in a right angle upon a protector head. This construction allows for angular rotation and free movement of the protector across the drawing board. A drafting machine that is compatible with CAD programs offers an additional layer of usability that makes it an asset to any architect.

Even expert architects make errors, but the good news is that mistakes can be fixed with an eraser. Erasers that are specially designed for architects and draftsmen are perfect for undoing unwanted marks and mistakes. So-called drafting erasers typically come in four varieties:

• eraser: This type of eraser is hard and rigid but very effective
• eraser: This type of eraser can be shaped to make a point
• eraser: This type of eraser is best for absorbing graphite
• eraser: Made of rubber, this type of eraser is more rigid than gum but softer than vinyl

Any of these types of erasers can be used in drafting, and there’s no right or wrong option. Each architect’s choice typically depends on personal preference more than anything, so it’s okay to use trial and error as a way to find out what kind of eraser suits you best.

Architects need to cut and trim paper while drafting, and if this is not done carefully, it can damage the surface underneath the architect’s knife. A cutting mat stands between a paper and the surface underneath to prevent this from happening. A trimmer gets the job done by carefully cutting paper, including small areas. Together, these drafting supplies make it easier for architects to draft creatively without damaging their other tools.

Last but not least, an architect needs storage for all of their architecture tools and materials. Without the correct storage system, there is no organization, and tools can be easily damaged if they are not kept carefully. This is especially true of the large documents that architects use for drafting — if not stored correctly, they will almost certainly become damaged. Some of the most popular options for large document storage include the following:

• wall racks
• file folders
• trays
• racks
• flat files

These storage options make it easy to protect the work you’ve done and ensure that it is stored carefully. Choose the storage option that’s best suited to the type of drafting you do so that your documents are protected.