All three machines offer the same high quality, your choice comes down to size and space. If you're working in a constrained environment, go with the compact Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ 1824. If you have room and want to produce larger works, the Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ 2436 is a great fit. For the largest possible format, choose the new ArtFrame™ Panorama, which offers an enormous 24" × 72" plotting area for immersive, museum-grade pieces.

The way you create your SVG artwork is up to you. There are many programs that output SVG vector files. The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ Art Machine System runs on G-code. The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ comes with our Bantam Tools Studio™ software, which makes it easy to convert SVG files to G-code files which are then transferred via SD card to the machine. The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ is a standalone device.

The Bantam Tools Studio™ software makes it easy to transform your SVG designs into G-code, and you do not need to learn it as a programming language. For reference, G-code is one of the first programming
languages. It was originally created to control milling machines and has been adapted to command all sorts of machines since, including art machines. In G-code, there are different commands G0 through G99 and each one does different things.

Yes; the Bantam Tools Studio™ software is included with the ArtFrame™; no additional purchase is necessary.

Yes, we plan to make this software available for purchase soon.

Our desktop software, Bantam Tools Studio™, supports Mac and Windows computers, recent operating system versions (Windows 8 and MacOS 10.15 and above). Minimum screen resolution 1024 × 720.

The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ is a standalone device that does not require that you attach your computer to it, so the quality of your computer will not affect the quality of the machine’s output.

Internet access is required to download and activate software.

You can make marks with any implement the machine can hold. The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ comes with a standard pen clip. Other accessories available include a large pen clip and a strap clamp. These accessories unlock your machine’s ability to hold nearly any mark making implement.

Over time the wheels will leave tracks on the aluminum and the wheels will begin to polish the rails, which is a good thing. We recommend using a paper towel and some rubbing alcohol to clean the rails when
marks appear.

The rubberized magnetic work surface may also eventually require dusting or cleaning. A lightly water-moistened paper towel is
recommended for cleaning the magnetic surface. Avoid using solvents or
harsh cleaners on the surface.

The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ Art Machine System includes a surface made from a rubberized magnetic material laminated to a lightweight board. We recommend using the included chess pawn magnets to hold down paper and other thin materials. If you need to use tape to hold down materials, we highly recommend archival, low tack, artist tape. You can also use low-tack ("blue") painters tape. Do not use masking tape or stronger tapes as they can chemically bond with the surface and mar it.

One of the great things about the Bantam Tools ArtFrame art machine systems is that they are configured to be flexible and accommodate a wide range of pens, brushes, and other mark making materials as well as space for a variety of materials to draw, paint and make marks on. Other materials are limited to your imagination and resources. Want to draw on a whiteboard? If it is less than 1” thick, it will fit under the gantry and you could draw on it.

The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ 1824 has a plottable area of
18 × 24” (45.7 × 60.9 cm)
and can accommodate media up to
29 × 25” (73.6 × 63.5 cm).
You make marks on material up to
1” (2.54 cm) thick.

The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ 2436 has a plottable area of
24” × 36”
and can accommodate paper up to
29 × 43” (73.6 × 109.2 cm).
You make marks on material up to
1” (2.54 cm) thick.

The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ Panorama has a plottable area of

24” × 72” (610 × 1828 mm)and can accommodate paper up to29”  × 787” (73.6 × 1981.2 ” mm)You make marks on material up to1” (2.54 cm) thick.

The writing surface is a consumable item. We’ve been testing for many months and with normal use would expect it to last for many years. Because many types of implements could be put into this machine as tools, including sharp things, we consider it a durable surface that is not impervious to destruction.

We suggest you buy both. The advantage of the Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ is that it is designed with the most flexible and extendable toolhead options and configurations for holding traditional tools and media. The Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ has a new electronics and software platform, consistent pen over paper height, extensible toolhead, standalone operation, and an included magnetic surface.

Those who choose NextDraw will choose it because it’s more affordable, portable and is a familiar platform. The Bantam Tools NextDraw™ is also the best tool for those who want to write custom code to take advantage of the NextDraw APIs. The Bantam Tools NextDraw™ is compatible with NextDraw Merge, which is the best software optimized for handwriting applications. Bantam Tools ArtFrame™ and the Bantam Tools NextDraw™ are both professional-grade machines.