A DIY Lightboard for $1300

A lightboard is a transparent writing surface (glass or plexiglass). When writing on it with a special marker, the written text becomes illuminated. The lightboard makes it possible to create videos with the presenter facing the audience while writing.

This is the first video with and about the Lightboard we built at Vanier using the $1300 mini-grant from Saltise. The board was built so it could be easily moved around the college. For security and financial reasons, plexiglass was used. The main disadvantage of plexiglass is that it easily scratches. And indeed, in the months that we used the board, it has accumulated its fair share of them. However, we discovered, that when using the board in front of a bright background (and bright clothing), those scratches are not really visible in the video.

A second, smaller lightboard was built later:

[tarkesdora]

Thanks for sharing the video. Did you try by putting the led lights only on one edge of the glass? Is it not sufficient?

[valleconexoes]

Did you use glass or acrylic (plexiglass)?

[jeromemassiani]

hi I am trying to do something similar. Thank you for your video. I noticed all others videos quote Neon pens, which are not easy to find in europe. Do you have an advice on which pens could work as well.

[shamsbinzaman]

hello, brother, i lover your contents, i also make similar videos on a other channel, i want to know, doesnt normal(black blue green) white board makers work on lightboard since your background is not dark, n what do you do to eliminate reflections on the glass?

[karunbashyal]

hi stefan, what are the camera settings you used to film this...and which camera did you use?