View source for Wacom

{{Short description|Japanese company specializing in graphics tablets and related products}}
{{About|the electronic manufacturer|other uses|WACOM (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Wacom Co., Ltd.
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{tyo|6727}}
| native_name = 株式会社ワコム
| native_name_lang = ja
| romanized_name = Kabushiki gaisha Wakomu
| logo = Wacom logo.svg
| logo_size = 
| image = Wacom honsha.jpg
| image_caption = Headquarters in Kazo, Saitama, Japan
| founded = {{Start date and age|1983|7|12}} in [[Ageo, Saitama]], Japan
| location_city = [[Kazo, Saitama]]
| location_country = Japan
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Nobutaka (Nobu) Ide<br />(president & CEO)<ref>{{cite web |title=Nobutaka (Nobu) Ide Assumes the Role of Representative Director, President and CEO, Wacom Co., Ltd. |url=https://www.wacom.com/en-us/about-wacom/news-and-events/2018/1295 |website=Wacom |access-date=20 May 2019 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=en |date=2 April 2018 |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128231552/https://wacom.com/en-us/about-wacom/news-and-events/2018/1295 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| revenue = {{increase}} {{JPY|109 billion}}
| revenue_year = 2022
| operating_income = {{decrease}} {{JPY|13 billion}}
| income_year = 2022
| net_income = {{increase}} {{JPY|11 billion}}
| net_income_year = 2022
| assets = {{increase}} {{JPY|73 billion}}
| assets_year = 2022
| num_employees = 1,069
| num_employees_year = 2022
| industry = [[Input device|Computer input devices]] and [[software]]
| products = Bamboo, Intuos, Cintiq, MobileStudio Pro, PenPartner, Volito, Graphire
| homepage = {{URL|wacom.com}}
| footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://contents.xj-storage.jp/xcontents/AS95168/7c82f6bb/f2ab/4b4b/9978/b88b31eee763/20220830092845918s.pdf |title=Annual Report 2022 |work=Wacom |access-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530151429/https://contents.xj-storage.jp/xcontents/AS95168/7c82f6bb/f2ab/4b4b/9978/b88b31eee763/20220830092845918s.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

{{nihongo|'''Wacom Co., Ltd.'''|株式会社ワコム|Kabushiki gaisha Wakomu|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɑː|k|əm}}}} is a Japanese company headquartered in [[Kazo, Saitama]], Japan, that specializes in manufacturing [[graphics tablet]]s and related products.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wacom Investor Relations:Frequently asked questions|url=https://investors.wacom.com/en-jp/faq-and-inquiries/|access-date=January 19, 2021|website=Wacom.com|date=January 27, 2020|archive-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509193048/https://investors.wacom.com/en-jp/faq-and-inquiries/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2012 Wacom generated sales of approximately 40.7 billion yen with 785 employees.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2011-05-01 |title=Wacom {{!}} - Investor Relations - FAQs - |url=http://www.wacom.jp/en/company/ir/faq/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501214330/http://www.wacom.jp/en/company/ir/faq/index.html |archive-date=May 1, 2011 |access-date=2023-11-08}}{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).  Self-published - company FAQs|date=March 2025}}</ref> The company's shares are listed on the [[Tokyo Stock Exchange]].

== History ==
The company was founded in 1983.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 2021 |title=India's 10 Most Influential Tech Leaders to Follow in 2022 |url=https://tycoonsuccess.com/rajiv-malik-revolutionizing-the-digital-ink-experience/ |magazine=Tycoon Success |pages=16–17 |access-date=March 9, 2023}}</ref> The name Wacom came from an abbreviated variation of World Computer ({{langx|ja|ワールドコンピュータ, wārudo konpyūtā}}), with the syllable "wa" (和, Japanese for "harmony").<ref name=":4" />

Wacom was the first company to make pens without a cord, which it introduced in 1991;<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Yares |first=Evan |date=May 25, 1993 |title=Wacom SD-421E |magazine=[[PCMag]] |volume=12 |issue=10 |page=294}}</ref><ref name="gebolys"/> it released its first pen display the following year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pogue |first=David |date=May 2, 2012 |title=The Joy of Drawing on Glass |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/technology/personaltech/the-joy-of-drawing-on-glass.html |access-date=March 7, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308030939/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/technology/personaltech/the-joy-of-drawing-on-glass.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Its products were initially targeted at professional artists, but by the late 1990s it aimed to expand to home users as well.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Craig |title=Pen strokes of genius |work=[[The Columbian]] |date=7 December 1997 |pages=51–52}}</ref>

In 2001, the company partnered with [[Sony]] to introduce a [[Vaio]] laptop with built-in touch functionality.<ref name="rogoway">{{cite news |last1=Rogoway |first1=Mike |title=Wacom pens a licensing deal with Sony |work=[[The Columbian]] |date=2 August 2001 |pages=33}}</ref>

== Products ==
Wacom produces two categories of graphics tablets: those with a screen ('pen display') and those without ('tablet').<ref name="cb"/> In addition, the company provides software for computers and software to interpret pen data.<ref name="gebolys">{{cite news |last1=Gebolys |first1=Debbie |title=Graphics tablet gets smaller |work=The Columbian |date=5 October 1994 |page=9}}</ref> Some pens have an eraser on the rear end.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Mathews |first=Craig F. |url= |title=Absolute Beginner's Guide to Tablet PCs |publisher=Que |year=2004 |isbn=0-7686-6191-9 |location=Indianapolis, Ind. |pages=12, 66 |oclc=57706162}}</ref>

=== Cintiq ===
Wacom's professional pen displays are under the Cintiq line.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Dami |date=January 8, 2019 |title=Wacom's $649 Cintiq 16 bridges the gap between hobbyists and pro creatives |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/8/18150155/wacom-cintiq-16-pen-display |access-date=March 8, 2023}}</ref> They allow for drawing directly on the screen, like drawing on paper,<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Sholin |first=Marilyn |url= |title=The Art of Digital Photo Painting: Using Popular Software to Create Masterpieces |publisher=Lark Books |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-60059-101-3 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=11–12 |oclc=213301758}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sammon |first=Rick |url= |title=Rick Sammon's Complete Guide to Digital Photography 2.0 |publisher=[[W.W. Norton]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-393-32914-8 |location=New York |pages=196 |oclc=71312817}}</ref> and are more expensive than other Wacom products.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Streed |first=Michael W. |url= |title=Creating digital faces for law enforcement |publisher=[[Academic Press]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-12-805279-2 |location=London |pages=129–153 |oclc=971035475}}</ref> The Cintiq Companion is a portable variant of the Cintiq displays.<ref name=":3" />
<gallery>
File:Wacom Cintiq (Pxhere-1393443).jpg | A person drawing on a Cintiq tablet
File:Wacom Cintiq13HD.JPG |alt=A monitor with the Dutch Wikipedia displayed. A large cable is plugged into the right side of the monitor. The Cintiq is standing upright on a desk, and lower down on the image is a digital pen and the pen holder.|A Wacom Cintiq 13HD
</gallery>

=== Intuos ===
Intuos graphics tablets do not have displays.<ref name="stapley">{{cite web |last1=Stapley |first1=Jon |title=The best Wacom tablets available |url=https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/best-wacom-tablets |website=Creative Bloq |language=en |date=23 November 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324043816/https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/best-wacom-tablets |url-status=live }}</ref> The first version was introduced in 1999, replacing the earlier ArtZ line.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ireton |first1=Trevor |title=Artist's tools draw on wellspring of tradition |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=3 August 1999 |location=Sydney, Australia |pages=56}}</ref> It is available in an entry-level version and the more advanced Intuos Pro.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aldred |first1=John |title=DIYP reviews the Wacom Intuos - The ultimate editing travel companion for photographers |url=https://www.diyphotography.net/diyp-reviews-the-wacom-intuos-the-ultimate-editing-travel-companion-for-photographers/ |website=DIY Photography |access-date=24 March 2024 |date=7 September 2018 |archive-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324043816/https://www.diyphotography.net/diyp-reviews-the-wacom-intuos-the-ultimate-editing-travel-companion-for-photographers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, ''[[The Verge]]'' called the entry-level models a "great introduction to digital art."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Dami |date=March 6, 2018 |title=Wacom's new Intuos tablets are perfect for the beginner doodler |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/3/6/17085562/wacom-intuos-drawing-tablet |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308232609/https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/3/6/17085562/wacom-intuos-drawing-tablet |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== One ===
The One series of products is targeted at beginners, and features versions both with and without screens.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Mike |title=One by Wacom review |url=https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/one-by-wacom-review |website=digitalcameraworld |language=en |date=12 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="cb">{{cite web |last1=Nicholls |first1=Beth |title=The new Wacom One budget range continues an annoying tech trend |url=https://www.creativebloq.com/news/wacom-one-family-range |website=Creative Bloq |access-date=23 March 2024 |language=en |date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323081512/https://www.creativebloq.com/news/wacom-one-family-range |url-status=live }}</ref> The One tablet, released at [[CES 2020]], has a 13-inch, [[Display resolution standards#1920 × 1080 (FHD)|1920x1080]] display. ''[[The Verge]]'' labeled it as Wacom's "most affordable tablet to date," being priced at $400.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Dami |date=January 7, 2020 |title=Wacom's $400 tablet is its most affordable yet, and adds Android compatibility |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/7/21028405/wacom-one-tablet-pen-display-android-price-macos-windows-ces-2020 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308232610/https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/7/21028405/wacom-one-tablet-pen-display-android-price-macos-windows-ces-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Other products ===
Wacom also makes the MobileStudio, a pen display with an inbuilt computer.<ref name="stapley"/>

They have also made other lines of graphics tablets, such as the Bamboo and Graphire, which were both screenless.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Milburn |first=Ken |url= |title=Digital Photography: Expert Techniques |publisher=[[O'Reilly Media|O'Reilly]] |year=2004 |isbn=0-596-00547-4 |edition=1st |location=Sebastopol, Calif. |pages=22 |oclc=54983155}}</ref> In 2011, the company released a tablet-less pen, which allowed for drawing on any piece of paper, but was criticized for being inaccurate compared to a normal photo scan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Houston |first=Thomas |date=August 30, 2011 |title=Wacom Inkling system converts your ink drawings to digital scribbles |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2011/8/30/2393370/wacom-inkling-sketch-pen |access-date=March 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schulman |first=Jacob |date=November 28, 2011 |title=Wacom Inkling review |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2011/11/28/2586419/wacom-inkling-review |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308232607/https://www.theverge.com/2011/11/28/2586419/wacom-inkling-review |url-status=live }}</ref>  In 2018, they partnered with [[Magic Leap]] to create collaborative [[mixed reality]] design tools at [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Dami |date=January 17, 2019 |title=Wacom and Magic Leap are creating an optimistic vision of the future of productivity |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/17/18186781/wacom-magic-leap-ar-augmented-reality-partnership-ces-2019 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308232608/https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/17/18186781/wacom-magic-leap-ar-augmented-reality-partnership-ces-2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Technology==
The tablets use [[electromagnetic resonance]] (EMR) technology, a type of faint radio signal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Austen |first=Ian |date=August 23, 2001 |title=NEWS WATCH: PERIPHERALS; For Artists and Photographers, Pen Is Mightier Than the Mouse |page=G3 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/23/technology/watch-peripherals-for-artists-photographers-pen-mightier-than-mouse.html |access-date=March 7, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308030940/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/23/technology/watch-peripherals-for-artists-photographers-pen-mightier-than-mouse.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pollack |first=Andrew |date=March 17, 1991 |title=Technology; Positioning the Electronic Stylus |at=Section 3 p. 9 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/17/business/technology-positioning-the-electronic-stylus.html |access-date=March 7, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308030940/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/17/business/technology-positioning-the-electronic-stylus.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Magnetic waves are emitted from the tablet, which are then transmitted to the pen and stored. When the pen is released, the waves are sent back to the tablet, which uses it to determine the pen's position;<ref name="rogoway"/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Wacom|title=EMR™ Pen Technology|url=http://www.wacom.jp/jp/customercare/download/catalogue/pdf/0507_EMR_Pen_Technology_E.pdf|access-date=October 13, 2019|archive-date=October 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013211530/http://www.wacom.jp/jp/customercare/download/catalogue/pdf/0507_EMR_Pen_Technology_E.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> this avoids the usage of separate batteries in the pen.<ref name=":1" /> The pen also contains a movable tip, which allows determining the pressure applied to the tablet.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Peter H. |date=April 23, 1991 |title=PERSONAL COMPUTERS; Next Best to a Brush |page=C10 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/23/science/personal-computers-next-best-to-a-brush.html |access-date=March 7, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308030937/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/23/science/personal-computers-next-best-to-a-brush.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Peter H. |date=July 25, 1995 |title=PERSONAL COMPUTERS; Electronic Pen With Its Own Eraser |pages=C8 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/25/science/personal-computers-electronic-pen-with-its-own-eraser.html |access-date=March 7, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308030940/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/25/science/personal-computers-electronic-pen-with-its-own-eraser.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Criticism ==
The company has received criticism for collection of user data,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Dami |date=February 6, 2020 |title=Wacom tablets are sharing your app usage with Google Analytics |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/6/21126245/wacom-tablet-app-tracking-google-analytics |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308232613/https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/6/21126245/wacom-tablet-app-tracking-google-analytics |url-status=live }}</ref> which Wacom says is "for quality assurance and development purposes," where the data is anonymized.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Dami |date=February 7, 2020 |title=Wacom says it's not spying on its customers, and users can opt out of data collection |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/7/21128024/wacom-tablets-app-google-analytics-data |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308044302/https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/7/21128024/wacom-tablets-app-google-analytics-data |url-status=live }}</ref>

In early 2024, the company was criticised by artists for using [[Artificial intelligence art|AI-generated images]] in its advertising material.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boingboing.net/2024/01/10/artists-upset-after-wacom-uses-ai-art-to-market-artist-gear.html|title=Artists upset after Wacom uses AI art to market artist gear - Boing Boing|access-date=January 18, 2024|archive-date=January 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118100649/https://boingboing.net/2024/01/10/artists-upset-after-wacom-uses-ai-art-to-market-artist-gear.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The company replied in a post on their blogs on January 9, stating that "using AI-Generated images in these assets was not their intent.<nowiki>''</nowiki><ref>{{cite web | url=https://community.wacom.com/en-us/ai-art-marketing-response/ | title=A Response to Community Questions Concerning Wacom Using AI-generated Art in US Marketing Assets - Wacom Blog | date=January 9, 2024 | access-date=January 18, 2024 | archive-date=January 18, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118100649/https://community.wacom.com/en-us/ai-art-marketing-response/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* {{Official website}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Electronics industry in Japan}}

[[Category:Japanese companies established in 1983]]
[[Category:Companies based in Portland, Oregon]]
[[Category:Companies based in Saitama Prefecture]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Computer companies established in 1983]]
[[Category:Computer companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Computer hardware companies]]
[[Category:Display technology companies]]
[[Category:Graphics tablets]]
[[Category:Japanese brands]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Japan]]