# TLDR Review: Westcott 12-Inch Transparent Ruler

*Published: 2025-03-19 | Updated: 2025-03-19 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/westcott-12-inch-transparent-ruler*

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## Product: Westcott 12-Inch Transparent Ruler
**Brand:** Westcott

## Pros
- Extremely useful for sketching, measuring proportions accurately, and drawing classes to understand perspective.
- Allows for direct comparison between objects and the grid and facilitates easy size adjustments.
- Highly praised for its transparency, precision, and clearly marked grid lines, enhancing usability for sewing and drafting projects.
- Helpful in constructing complex scenes and provides convenience for various measuring tasks.
- Easy to read and has varying widths of lines which contribute to ease of use.
- Considered a life-saver for art students and recommended to keep multiple rulers of varying conditions at hand.
- The ruler model has been available for 30 years, indicating long-lasting quality.

## Cons
- Construction quality has declined compared to earlier versions, with markings now printed on the surface instead of being protected.
- The ruler is flimsier than expected, not very sturdy, and the surface is rough, which can cause issues when drawing straight lines.
- Edges may be prone to damage from cutting blades, and it's not suitable to use with cutting tools.
- The ruler is not completely straight, which affects the ability to create even lines.
- There is a concerning cancer warning associated with the product materials.

## Bottom Line

The Westcott 8ths 12-Inch Beveled Transparent Ruler (B-70) is a valuable tool for sketching, measuring, and drafting thanks to its accuracy and transparency. However, it's not the sturdiest choice for cutting tasks or precision work due to the decline in construction quality and potential issues with straightness and surface roughness. Despite these flaws, its overall utility makes it a helpful addition for art students and professionals. If you need a more durable ruler for cutting tasks, you may want to consider a metal edge ruler as an alternative.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Extremely useful for sketching, measuring proportions accurately, and drawing classes to understand perspective. | Construction quality has declined compared to earlier versions, with markings now printed on the surface instead of being protected. |
| Allows for direct comparison between objects and the grid and facilitates easy size adjustments. | The ruler is flimsier than expected, not very sturdy, and the surface is rough, which can cause issues when drawing straight lines. |
| Highly praised for its transparency, precision, and clearly marked grid lines, enhancing usability for sewing and drafting projects. | Edges may be prone to damage from cutting blades, and it's not suitable to use with cutting tools. |
| Helpful in constructing complex scenes and provides convenience for various measuring tasks. | The ruler is not completely straight, which affects the ability to create even lines. |
| Easy to read and has varying widths of lines which contribute to ease of use. | There is a concerning cancer warning associated with the product materials. |
| Considered a life-saver for art students and recommended to keep multiple rulers of varying conditions at hand. |  |
| The ruler model has been available for 30 years, indicating long-lasting quality. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Blick Art Materials | $4.58  | Check |
| Amazon | $5.19  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*