A light box is a tool designed for artists. It consists of a backlit piece of plexiglass or frosted glass. Many visual artists use light boxes in their daily work for things like looking at photographic negatives and tracing. Art supply stores sell a variety of light boxes, and it is also relatively easy to make a light box at home, for people who need to craft a custom version.

Another term for a light box is a light table. In the case of a light table, the box is mounted on adjustable legs and a swivel, creating a large backlit workspace which can be rotated to various angles for comfort. Sizes and construction techniques vary. A light table may be made small with a lightweight aluminum frame so that it is portable, or it may be quite large with a heavy wooden frame, intended for stationary work.

Usually, a light box is distinguished from a light table because it is much more portable and it lacks legs. In some cases, a light box can be very large, making it technically difficult to move, while in other instances a light box may be designed around a lightweight briefcase or tablet so that it can easily be ported from place to place. A light box tends to be substantially less expensive than a light table, since it does not have a complex framework of legs.

The placement of the lights in a light box is very important. The goal is to achieve even, crisp lighting without hot spots. Diffusers and numerous lights are often used to accomplish this. The glass or plexiglass is usually fogged or shaded to reduce glare from the lights underneath. The whole assembly of the light box is enclosed in a sturdy frame, which often features drawers or divots for storing tools.

To make a light box at home, an artist will need to be able to build a framework to hold the plexiglass in. Metal picture frames work surprisingly well for this purpose, as long as the artist is able to mount legs to them so that the plexiglass will be elevated. Next, a bank of lights to go behind the plexiglass must be arranged, and sides should be installed to prevent light bleeds. The lights can be anchored to a sturdy backing such as plywood to make the light box movable.

The term “light box” is also used by photographers to refer to a small, custom built box for photographing objects under controlled lighting conditions. Light boxes are used by professional photographers to create clean, controlled environments which can be endlessly manipulated. Different backdrops can be used in a light box for specific effects, and the lighting can be altered for varying looks. For macro photography, a light box is a crucial tool.