Best Apps to Use with Paperlike
Learning Objectives
- Identify the top apps that work brilliantly with Paperlike screen protectors
- Learn how to configure each app for the best performance with Paperlike
- Understand which apps work best for different tasks like drawing, note-taking, and document annotation
Introduction
Your iPad with Paperlike can become an incredibly powerful tool for creativity and productivity. The key is knowing which apps take full advantage of that paper-like texture and feel. This chapter covers the five most popular apps that Paperlike users swear by: Procreate, GoodNotes, Notability, Adobe Fresco, and Concepts. You'll learn why these apps work so well with Paperlike and how to set them up properly.
Lessons
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Procreate
Procreate is the go-to app for digital artists using Paperlike. Here's how to set it up:
Step 1: Download Procreate from the App Store and open it
Step 2: Go to Actions > Prefs > Gesture Controls and enable "Disable Touch Actions" to improve palm rejection
Step 3: Test different brush types – the Pencil, Ink, and Sketching brushes work particularly well with Paperlike's texture
Step 4: Adjust brush opacity and size using the sliders on the left side of the screen
The QuickShape feature is brilliant for drawing clean lines and perfect shapes. Just draw your shape and hold your Apple Pencil still for a moment.
Lesson 2: Setting Up GoodNotes for Note-Taking
GoodNotes transforms your iPad into a digital notebook that feels remarkably like paper with Paperlike installed.
Step 1: Download GoodNotes and create your first notebook
Step 2: Tap the pen tool and adjust the thickness to your preference – medium thickness works well with Paperlike
Step 3: Enable "Wrist Protection" in the settings to prevent accidental marks
Step 4: Create folders to organise your notebooks by subject or project
The handwriting recognition feature can convert your written notes to text, which is handy for searching through your notes later.
Lesson 3: Maximising Notability Features
Notability excels at combining handwritten notes with audio recordings and PDF annotation.
Step 1: Install Notability and create a new note
Step 2: Go to Settings > Note-Taking and enable "Wrist Protection"
Step 3: Try the audio recording feature while taking notes – it syncs your writing with the recording
Step 4: Import a PDF to test the markup tools for highlighting and annotating
The split-screen feature works brilliantly for taking notes while reading documents or watching videos.
Lesson 4: Adobe Fresco for Professional Art
Adobe Fresco combines the best of raster and vector tools in one app.
Step 1: Download Adobe Fresco and sign in with your Adobe account
Step 2: Create a new document and explore the Live Brushes – they behave like real paint and ink
Step 3: Adjust the brush settings for pressure sensitivity to match your drawing style
Step 4: Try mixing vector and raster elements in the same artwork
The cloud sync feature means your artwork is automatically saved and accessible across all your devices.
Lesson 5: Concepts for Precision Design
Concepts offers unlimited canvas space and precision tools that work beautifully with Paperlike.
Step 1: Install Concepts and create a new design
Step 2: Familiarise yourself with the Wheel interface for quick tool switching
Step 3: Use the Precision Mode for detailed technical drawings
Step 4: Explore the measurement tools for accurate sketches
The infinite canvas means you never run out of space for your ideas.
Practice
Choose one of these apps and complete this exercise:
- If you picked Procreate or Adobe Fresco: Create a simple landscape sketch using at least three different brush types
- If you chose GoodNotes or Notability: Write a page of notes about what you've learned in this chapter, then try converting some handwriting to text
- If you selected Concepts: Design a simple floor plan or technical diagram using the precision tools
Take note of how the Paperlike surface affects your experience compared to drawing on bare glass.
FAQs
Which Paperlike models work with these apps?
All current Paperlike models are compatible with these apps. The apps work on any iPad that supports Apple Pencil, regardless of which Paperlike version you have.
How do I reduce lag when using these apps with Paperlike?
Close other apps running in the background, ensure your iPad has sufficient storage space, and check that you're running the latest version of both iOS and the app.
Can I use these apps for both creative work and studying?
Absolutely. Procreate and Adobe Fresco are excellent for artistic projects, while GoodNotes and Notability are perfect for academic work. Concepts bridges both worlds with its precision tools.
Do I need an Apple Pencil to use these apps with Paperlike?
While you can use your finger, an Apple Pencil provides the best experience with Paperlike. The pressure sensitivity and precision make a significant difference.
Jargon Buster
Paperlike: A screen protector that gives your iPad's glass surface a paper-like texture, improving grip and feedback when writing or drawing
Palm Rejection: Technology that prevents your hand from making unwanted marks on the screen while you're using a stylus
Raster Graphics: Images made up of individual pixels, like photographs or paintings
Vector Graphics: Images created using mathematical equations, which can be scaled to any size without losing quality
Live Brushes: Special brushes in Adobe Fresco that simulate real paint and ink behaviour, including blending and bleeding effects
Wrap-up
You now know which apps work best with Paperlike and how to configure them for optimal performance. Each app serves different purposes – Procreate and Adobe Fresco for art, GoodNotes and Notability for notes and documents, and Concepts for precision design work. Spend time with each app to discover which ones suit your workflow best.
The combination of Paperlike and these apps transforms your iPad into a versatile creative and productivity tool that rivals traditional pen and paper.
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