Eink is a Chinese company who make panels for e-readers. They have innovated many times in these last 15 years to improve their panels by improving the PPI (the number of pixels per inch) and the FPS (the number of frames per second).
Assemblers who use EINK panels to make ereaders and big EINK monitors in 13.3-inch and 25.6-inch sizes sell in 75 states around the world. Some Eink panels for the signage market are as large as 75 inches.
The number of e-readers sold worldwide increases every year, but many musicians want to read sheet music without experiencing eye strain.
Expanding Possibilities Beyond Reading
Considering its capability to accurately display video at frame rates between 15 FPS and 33 FPS, it seems reasonable to explore additional uses for this panel beyond just reading.
An animator began to make a paint app to draw with a monitor in gray scale, sold by a company named Dasung.
Over the years, the project has added numerous features, including layers, textures, a marble texture using the Perlin Noise algorithm, and a system for creating brushes and textures from another canvas that contains an image.
A colour system in RGB and two others for the newest Eink panel in 6 and 7 colors, as Spectra6 and ACeP.
You draw in black and white on an e-reader, such as the Onyx Boox Tab X, for a sample, and you show your drawing colored on a classical computer or laptop. It’s wonderful!
This animation software has a motion curve system with keyframes to automate some tasks for the animator.
To make in-between frames easily, twelve modules are connected to the keyframe system.
The interface was in 1-bit in the first version. It was perfect to switch from an LCD monitor and an Eink Monitor, but now the interface has a choice of templates.
If you care about your eyes, it’s the perfect animation software to draw and animate for long hours during the day without red eye syndrome.
Why E-Ink Matters for Creatives
For years, E-Ink was viewed primarily as a tool for readers and professionals who needed long battery life and excellent daytime visibility. But as more creatives began to face eye strain from traditional LCD and OLED screens, the appeal of working on a paper-like surface grew rapidly. Artists, designers, animators, and writers discovered that E-Ink screens provided an almost meditative experience—they could focus for long sessions without the exhausting glow of standard monitors.
Traditional animation and digital art workflows require hours of intense screen staring, making E-Ink a surprising but incredibly effective solution. Its reflective, non-emissive nature reduces fatigue, allowing artists to work longer and with more comfort.
A New Era: E-Ink for Animation and Drawing
The development of animation software tailored specifically for E-Ink marks a shift in how digital creation tools adapt to the needs of human health.
The animator behind this project understood that the issue wasn’t just productivity—it was sustainability. Artists need tools that protect them as much as they empower them, and E-Ink provides that balance.
The paint app initially focused on grayscale drawing due to hardware limitations, but the addition of color systems changed everything. By implementing RGB, Spectra6, and ACeP color layers, the app allowed artists to create vivid digital illustrations even when their working screen supported only monochrome.
This dual-screen workflow—drawing on E-Ink and previewing color on a laptop—created a unique bridge between comfort and capability.
Advanced Animation Tools for Modern Artists
The introduction of keyframes, motion curves, and in-between modules brings professional-grade animation functionality to an environment previously dominated by reading apps. The software does more than simply draw; it supports full animation pipelines with systems traditionally found only in specialized programs.
These features allow animators to:
- Build smooth transitions
- Automate repetitive movements
- Add dynamic motion using curve-based systems
- Prototype ideas quickly without eye strain
This makes the tool valuable not only for hobbyists but also for professional artists seeking healthier workflows.
Future Potential of E-Ink in Creative Industries
As E-Ink refresh rates continue to improve, the barrier between traditional screens and e-paper displays will continue to shrink.
In the future, we may see full-fledged animation studios incorporating E-Ink setups into their daily production environments. Large E-Ink monitors, already available in 25.6-inch sizes, could become standard equipment for concept art, storyboarding, and drafting.
