What Are the Best Monitors for Graphic Design?
Every professional has its own specific needs: some want the widest and fastest connectivity, some the largest screens available, others want features to host the most natural (but also safest) video calls. There’s one professional that requires high-performance monitors for precise, accurate, color-critical work: the graphic designer. This is someone who can and needs to see even the smallest changes in shade, and the smallest details (zooming in to no end). For graphics design, there are some important factors (such as screen size, resolution, and color accuracy) when choosing the right monitor. Let’s dive in!
1. What monitor should I use for graphic design?
There are several things graphic designers have to look for, when choosing their first monitor or upgrading their set-up. Firstly, screen size. A larger monitor (32” or bigger) helps to have the big picture always clear in front of you, and still have room for your email and chats. Second, the resolution has to be the highest possible, to see the tinies details with clarity – we’d suggest building up from QHD resolution. Lastly, color accuracy, how the monitor can reproduce colors (color gamut). A monitor that covers a high percentage of color space is a monitor that can deliver the smallest and faintest difference in shades and nuances and color management is a key step for anyone working with digital art.
2. Do graphic designers need two monitors?
Not necessarily. The number of monitors that graphic designers use varies depending on personal preference, type of work, and size of the desk. Those who prefer a multi-monitor set-up can connect two, three or even more monitors – depending on their GPU and available ports. It’s important to choose monitors with the same resolution, color accuracy and with little to no bezels for a seamless and comfortable visualization. Monitors can be directly connected to the laptop or PC, but that depends on the ports available. Daisy chaining is another interesting option to connect multiple monitors, and it’s really easy to set up. Here you can find more information on our Daisy Chaining; click here.
If you would rather use only one large monitor the Philips 49B2U5900CH is a large 48,8” 32:9 SuperWide screen designed to replace a multiscreen work setup. With a 5120×1440 resolution, this monitor is equivalent to having two 27″ 16:9 Quad HD monitors side by side. In addition to this, thanks to its VA panel, the Philips 49B2U5900CH has a 178 by 178-degree viewing angle and a 3000:1 contrast ratio, allowing users to see with complete clarity and from any angle. This monitor guarantees a high-quality picture experience for all professions with its DisplayHDR™ 400 certification, SmartImage technology, a large color gamut with 1.07 billion colors and sRGB 119%. If you would like more information on the Philips 49B2U5900CH monitor, please click here.
3. What screen resolution is best for graphic design?
UHD means Ultra HD or Ultra High-Definition, and it offers a resolution 4 times clearer (with 4 times more pixels) than Full HD panels, namely a pixel density of 3840 x 2160 pixels, totaling over 8 million pixels. It’s always useful to remember that UHD and 4K mean the same thing. 4K UHD monitors are one of the best resolutions available, it is truly a powerhouse delivering great details, amazing color accuracy and astonishing precision. Buying a 4K UHD monitor guarantee the best available viewing experience widely available now on the market. Here, you can find more information on our UHD and 4K; click here.
QHD (Quad High-Definition) falls just shortly behind, but it’s still a great option. It provides four times the clarity of standard HD resolution, namely 2560 x 1440 pixels, or 3.7 million pixels. This impressive number is the reason why QHD resolution is particularly appreciated for editing photos and videos: its increased pixel density and the consequent rich details and color accuracy if offers make the difference. For a deep dive into the magic world of QHD, we suggest you read the dedicated guide we published about it. Here, you can find more information on our QHD Resolution; click here.
There’s another step, which is 5K2K resolution, namely a pixel density of 5120 x 2160 pixels. An example is the Philips 40B1U6903CH is a 39.7”/100.9 cm IPS panel that offers UltraWide 5K2K resolution, the color depth is delivered more vividly, and the fine details of the visuals can’t be missed. This monitor offers a color accuracy of 134%* of the sRGB profile. If you would rather use only one large monitor the Philips 49B2U5900CH is a large 48,8” 32:9 SuperWide screen designed to replace a multiscreen work setup. With a 5120×1440 resolution, this monitor is equivalent to having two 27″ 16:9 Quad HD monitors side by side. In addition to this, thanks to its VA panel, the Philips 49B2U5900CH has a 178 by 178-degree viewing angle and a 3000:1 contrast ratio, allowing users to see with complete clarity and from any angle. This monitor guarantees a high-quality picture experience for all professions with its DisplayHDR™ 400 certification, SmartImage technology, a large color gamut with 1.07 billion colors and sRGB 119%.
- For Philips 40B1U6903CH, Please check out the product page here.
- For Philips 49B2U5900CH, Please check out the product page here.
3.1 Do graphic designers need 4K monitors?
Graphic designers would surely benefit of the accurate reproduction and the richness of details of 4K monitors, so to see all tiny and slight minutiae without any pixelation (which, honestly, makes quite a difference!).
3.2 Is OLED monitor good for graphic design?
To keep it simple: OLED is visually magnificent, and any graphic designer would probably love to use an OLED monitor to see a full spectrum of deep and rich colors. However, OLED monitors are not so common, so it’s quite expensive to get one that has all the requirements a graphic designer need.
OLED (acronym for Organic Light Emitting Diodes) monitors consist of pixels that can individually turn on or off, and the display can be controlled down to the individual pixel. OLED monitors thus provide deeper blacks and improved viewing angles, but also faster response times.
Although not so common, OLED is slowly becoming a superior choice for creatives – or at least a dream!
4. Is a 27- or 32-inch monitor good for graphic design?
Since graphic design and many adjacent jobs need pinpoint accuracy, and screen size can help. A larger monitor easily gives a more complete view on any work, without having to squeeze a large piece into a small display or having to squint.
Lastly, but certainly not least, 32” inches monitors (and bigger ones) are better suited for single-screen multitasking. Graphic designers can therefore work on their art pieces and have still room for emails and chats, without shifting through countless of windows.
The Philips 329P1H is a 31.5″/80cm 4K UHD monitor that delivers even the smallest details with its IPS panel, displaying 1.07 billion colors and covering 128% of the sRGB gamut. This monitor has a perfect size: large but still compact, perfect not only for graphic designers but also for video makers. It also fits many set-ups, while considerably improving the overall work experience. There are a plethora of 60Hz monitors to choose from. This refresh rate speed is ideal for office applications and business monitors. To provide an example, the Philips 27B1U7903 monitor is a great choice for professional use. Not only does it have a Thunderbolt 4 connection and 4k resolution, but it also has a 60Hz refresh rate that completes the ideal functionality of this monitor.
- For Philips 329P1H, Please check out the product page here.
- For Philips 27B1U7903, Please check out the product page here.
5. Should I use Adobe RGB or sRGB?
The never-ending dispute between Adobe RGB and sRGB divides graphic designers all around the world. sRGB is an abbreviation for Standard RGB (red, green, blue) and it is, indeed, the closest thing to a standard color space. The widespread use of sRGB has helped to provide a more standardized experience in terms of the ways in which colors are represented and perceived on digital devices. Adobe RGB is a color space that was developed by Adobe Systems, Inc. and designed to be used in combination with Adobe Photoshop’s range of complex color features. This color profile was created to bridge the gap between the RGB and CMYK color models (so, between screen and print art).
Which is better? It depends on the specific needs and preferences of each designer. In general, the right monitor should offer an optimal color accuracy.