Best Drafting Supplies For Beginner Architectural Drafters

It’s important for any architecture drafter to have the proper drafting supplies. As a beginner architectural drafter, it can be somewhat overwhelming to figure out what you should buy first, but this buying guide is here to help you make the right purchases.

Drafting Table

The drafting table is a must-have for architectural drafters. It is the place where you will spend most of your time while working on projects. Drafting tables come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so be sure to choose one that suits your needs. The height of a drafting table should be adjustable to accommodate different heights of drafters. If possible, look for one that has built-in storage space underneath so that you can keep all of your supplies close at hand.

Drafting pencils

Drafting pencils are the most basic drawing tool a drafter can use. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and hardness levels, but all the same basic components: lead, eraser, and sleeve that holds everything together.

The choice of lead hardness will depend on your personal preference and the type of work you're doing. For example, harder lead makes it easier to create fine details and lighter lines, but it's also more prone to breaking if you press too hard or accidentally drop your pencil.

Drafting Dots

Drafting Dots are a great tool for architectural drafters who are just starting out. They're made of a durable plastic material that won't roll or warp, and they have a unique design that makes it easy to see what you're drawing.

They come in multiple sizes and colors, so you can find one that works best for your needs. They're also easy to manage: just open the lid and place them on your drafting table!

Drafting Brush

Drafting brushes are used to create lines that are delicate and detailed, but they can also be used to create bold lines. Drafting brushes are made of synthetic bristles or nylon tips, or a combination of both. The bristles or nylon tips work in conjunction with the handle, which is usually made of metal or plastic.

When drafting with a drafting brush, you should always remember that the ink will flow easily off of the bristles or nylon tip and onto your drawing paper. You will need to apply firm pressure when using this tool so that you don't smudge your line work while working on your project.

Scale Ruler

Scale rulers are one of the best drafting supplies for beginner architectural drafters.

They are used by architects and designers to measure and mark building materials, such as windows, doors, walls and other surfaces.

The rulers come in all shapes and sizes but they all have one thing in common. They all have a scale on them that allows you to measure the correct distance between two points on your drawing or sketch.

Architectural Templates

An architectural template is a flat piece of metal or plastic that has holes in it for marking down measurements. It comes in various shapes and sizes, depending on what kind of measurements you need to take. For example, if you are drawing up floor plans or elevations, then you will need a rectangular template that has holes for measuring squares and rectangles. A triangular template would be useful if you were designing a roof line or making cuts along the angle of an object such as a dormer window.

T-Square

A T-square is a drafting tool that helps you draw straight lines.

The name comes from its shape: it's a long, straight bar with a crosspiece at the top. The crosspiece helps you draw parallel lines, and the T-square also has a built-in ruler so you can measure distances between lines.

If you're just getting started as an architectural drafter, a T-square is going to be one of the most important tools in your arsenal. It'll help you draw perfectly straight lines without having to use any kind of ruler or tape measure.

French Curve

If you're looking for the best drafting supplies for beginner architectural drafters, French Curves are a must.

French Curves are used to create smooth curves in drawings. They can be used as an alternative to using a compass or by themselves.

They are also useful when creating curves that would otherwise be impossible to create with a straightedge alone.

These drafting tools come in three different styles: 3/8-inch radius, 1/2-inch radius, and 5/8 inch radius (the most common). The size of the curve determines how big it is and how much space it takes up on your drawing paper. The larger the curve, the more space it takes up on your drawing paper and vice versa.

French curves are made from plastic so they're easy to use if you plan on taking them with you wherever you go—they won't scratch or break easily like metal versions might do!

Erasers and erasing shields

Erasers are used to remove pencil marks from papers, and erasing shields are used to protect the drawings from getting damaged by eraser marks. These two tools are the most important drafting supplies for beginner architectural drafters.

The eraser is a white block of rubber that can be rubbed over a pencil mark on paper to remove it. It is best to use a soft lead pencil when drawing in order to avoid smearing and smudging. The eraser will not work on colored pencils or ink pens, so it is important that you only use a soft lead pencil if you want to erase your mistakes with an eraser. You can also use an eraser shield to protect areas of your design from being damaged by eraser marks while you work on them; however, these shields do not cover very large areas and they don't last very long.

Choose these supplies to get started with your architectural drafting.

If you're just starting out with architectural drafting, it can be confusing to know what supplies you'll actually need. There's a lot of information out there on this topic, but it's not always clear or concise. For example, we found articles that simply listed every item you can buy and explained very little about their practicality in the real world. So if you're look down to start drafting and curious what supplies you'll need, take a look at this article for beginners to get a handle on the basics.