What is a light table?

A light table is used to make it easier to

• make layouts of pages
• prepare mimeograph stencils by hand
• trace art work, and
• view slides and negatives.

You can buy or make many kinds of light tables, from very simple to sophisticated.

A light table is a device used for seeing through paper or other materials. It has a surface of translucent glass or plastic with a light source underneath or behind it. It allows light to pass through the paper, plastic, or other material placed on the table.

• A box with a glass top that uses a flashlight (torch) or daylight as the light source.

• A box with a glass top that uses light bulbs (preferably fluorescent) inside as the light source

  Tip:	A hinged glass top makes it easier to change the light bulbs.

• Any of these boxes could

  • be of lightweight materials to make it portable
  • have a sliding ruler attached, or have measurements marked on the frame
  • be set on a table or any surface of the right height to make it comfortable to use, or
  • have legs and be a self-contained table.

Here are some alternatives to a light table:

• A window with daylight shining through it

• A piece of glass propped up on one end in a location where daylight or any strong light will shine through it

  

• Concept module: light table
• In overview module: Glossary (Literacy): L
• In modular book: Glossary of literacy terms
• In document collection: Reference materials
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 15 February 2000

© 1999 SIL International