improve handwriting on goodnotes

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Handwriting In Goodnotes: A Tool For Reading, Research, and Journaling

A Three Part Note-Taking Series

Note-taking is fun. Most of my writing starts as a note somewhere. It might originate from my academic work or my morning journaling. These notes often form the basis of long-form, polished writing (e.g., manuscripts, emails, blogs). GoodNotes is one note-taking tool that I’ve used since I was a graduate student. Now, as a postdoctoral research scientist, the app continues to impress me.  

I’ve put together a series of articles on using GoodNotes to organize information and engage in focused reflection . I also discuss some of the benefits of the zoom window in GoodNotes, particularly for focused thought.  

In this article , I discuss the benefits of using GoodNotes for reading and annotating PDFs . I give several use cases for GoodNotes for academics and others who read PDFs.  

Reading PDFs for Research: Three Reasons To Consider GoodNotes

Here , I review the zoom window in GoodNotes. I give a brief summary of how to use it. I also discuss how it helps me focus on the content of my writing and write more neatly.  

How and Why to Use the Zoom Window in GoodNotes

Lastly, I discuss how GoodNotes can be used as a digital journal . I explain my personal journaling process with GoodNotes and how it integrates with other journaling mediums and apps (including my physical journal and Craft Docs).  

A Digital Journaling Setup: Where to Journal?

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that GoodNotes is Apple’s 2022 iPad App of the Year . Congrats to the founder of the GoodNotes app, Steven Chan, and all of the GoodNotes team for developing such an intuitive and useful tool!

When reading through this series, I encourage you to keep in mind that there is no perfect system . This is something that I have to remind myself of on a regular basis. The way that we take notes will change based on our situation (interest, energy-level, health, physical space, time constraints). Our writing process should adapt to our current needs. In this article series, I outline some features and practical examples of how people might use the GoodNotes app.  

Ultimately, the intention of note-taking is to develop clear and focused ideas . And, most importantly, enjoy the process . Have fun.

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How to Improve your Handwriting on the iPad for Digital Planning

So you’ve finally made the decision to switch to digital planning and note-taking but your handwriting looks a little awkward on the screen?

Well, you’re not alone!

That was what happened with me when I first started digital planning, and I am sure many others were in a similar situation as well.

If you are keen to go paperless but your writing is just not .. cute, don’t stress!

It IS possible to write neatly, if not neater, on your iPad.

Below are some of my top tips and tricks to help you improve your handwriting on your iPad:

Experiment with different Pencil settings (line thickness and pen style)

Okay this might seem obvious but writing with different pen settings (such as line thickness and pen style) can really determine if your handwriting will be presentable.

For example, my writing just ain’t cute when the line thickness is too thin or too thick, am I right? 

With the digital planner that I use, my ideal line thickness is 0.3 mm. But that may differ for you!

The stroke thickness can be adjusted in 0.05 mm increments/decrements in GoodNotes 5.

My suggestion is to start with the default thicknesses and get a feel for which one out of the 3 you feel most comfortable with. Then adjust accordingly!

I don’t know about you but I cannot write on my iPad without  zooming in. Even zooming in just a little helps SO MUCH. It just gives me so much more control and I can write with better precision.

To zoom in and out, simply use two fingers to pinch in or out.

You can also use the magnifying tool/zoom window if that makes it easier for you!

Try Using Pencil Grip

If you are using the Apple Pencil (like me), it can be difficult to get a good grip or feel comfortable holding it while writing. This can adversely affect your handwriting appearance.

You can get ergonomic grips which will enhance your writing and could also reduce hand aches when doing a lot of writing.

Use a Matte/Paper-like Screen Protector

Applying a matte screen protector can work wonders for your handwriting. The screen on the iPad/tablet is a lot more smoother and has less friction than paper which makes it a different writing experience than what you are used to.

When writing on a matte screen protector, you will feel like you are writing on actual paper. Because of it’s paper-like texture, you will get more of a resistance when writing on the screen. Many digital planners and note-takers agree that it can make a HUGE difference when it comes to writing digitally!  

Adjust the Pressure Sensitivity and Writing Posture Setting in GoodNotes

If you use GoodNotes for your digital planning, there are “palm rejection” settings you can play around with.

This is located by tapping on the “pen” icon and then selecting “Stylus & Palm Rejection” under settings.

Play around with your Hand Positioning and your Pen Grip/Hold

  How you place your hand and the way you grip your Apple Pencil may simply feel more comfortable in a different position than you are used to. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with different hand positioning and pen grip!

You may find that you prefer writing when your iPad is in a certain orientation. For example, I feel more comfortable when I write when my iPad is in landscape orientation.

Use Practise Sheets or Apps

If you do a quick search on Google or Pinterest, you will be able to find lots of free writing practise sheets you can download. Practising on these sheets will help you learn how to write on the iPad better.

Practise writing the same words or letters over and over again!

Writing on a screen is a completely new experience after all, so it’s not surprising that you may need to re-learn a skill.

Another benefit of doing these sheets is that it’s very relaxing, at least, for me it is!

Write Small

If you want your writing to be big in size, for a title or heading for example, write small first and then resize it to a bigger size. Writing small gives you better control and will help make your handwriting look neater.

Write on Lines

I find that writing on lines, grids or guides improves my handwriting so much. It helps me write straight and keeps my letters similarly spaced.

Some note-taking apps have a feature where you can toggle lines/grids on/off. However, the app I use (GoodNotes) does not yet have this feature.

To counteract this issue, when I need to write in a blank space, what I do is use the highlighter feature to draw in my lines.

There is a setting which you can choose if you want the highlighter to draw in a straight line. After you are done writing and using the highlighter lines as a guide, you can erase the lines only by selecting the “Erase Highlighter Only” option on the eraser!

Experiment with your Writing Style

You may need to switch up your writing style, so experiment with what you are comfortable with. If you are used to writing cursive on paper, you may feel more comfortable writing separated letters on your iPad. For me, I used to always write cursive but I just couldn’t get it to work on the iPad. I find that writing in capital letters yields the best results for me!

Writing neatly and improving your handwriting on your iPad is all about trial and error and having patience! If you keep practising and using the tips above, you will be writing neatly and faster in no time!

Write slowly in the beginning and don’t give up! It took me around 2 weeks to finally be happy and feel comfortable with writing on my iPad (and now that I’ve gone paperless, it actually feels funny and strange writing on paper).

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How to Take Aesthetic Notes on the iPad

Here’s a secret: taking aesthetic notes on the iPad is so much easier than on paper.

When armed with a note-taking app like Goodnotes, there are so many features that enable you to create better notes, with less work.

Here are some tips & tricks on how to take aesthetic notes on the iPad.

Spoiler-alert: The tips will help you make your notes look better, even if you don’t have perfect handwriting.

1. Play around with pen settings to find the style you like

In Goodnotes, there are 3 main pens to choose from and they all write differently.

The fountain pen and brush pen are pressure sensitive. That means that the ink will change based on much you press down and how quickly you write. For the fountain pen, you can also adjust how pointy you’d prefer the tip to be. These pens are great for calligraphy or giving a bit more character to your notes.

The ball pen , on the other hand, will always give you a uniform line. No matter how much pressure you’re using, the ink will look the same and therefore give you better control.

The thickness of your pen strokes can also change the look and feel of your handwriting.

Test the variety of pens to find the one with the aesthetic you like the most.

Tip: Try mixing it up! Use the brush pen for your headings or titles to make them stand out. Use the fountain or ball pen to take the bulk of your notes.

2. Edit your notes after writing them

This is where taking aesthetic notes on the iPad really shines: the ability to resize or move ink on the page after jotting it down.

Examples of how you can edit your digital notes:

• Running out of space? Move your notes up the page, or move a sentence to exactly the right spot.
• Move bullet points around so that they are perfectly aligned
• Change the color of the ink or the size of your writing

Tip from studygrammer @cupofstudies: Since her handwriting gets messier the larger she writes, she tends to write headers smaller and increase the size afterward.

At the same time, consider staring big and then going small for objects that require more precision, like graphs and sketches. Draw them as big as you need to and then size them down so that they fit in where you want them to be.

3. Zoom in and out to find the best size and position to write

Both writing too small and writing too large can throw you off your game.

Sometimes writing too large can give you less control of your pen, and too small can cram your otherwise nice handwriting into scribbles.

The good thing about taking notes on the iPad is that you can zoom in and out to write at whatever size you feel the most comfortable with.

That means that you can zoom into a piece of lined paper until you can write in-between the lines, and perfect each stroke.

In Goodnotes, there’s a self-advancing Zoom window — part of your page will be zoomed in for you to write, while keeping the full page in view.

4. Use squared paper to write in straight lines

Achieve perfectly straight lines every time with this hack:

Write on squared paper and let the grid lines help you align your writing. Then, once you’re done writing, switch the paper template back to blank.

And voila! You’ve achieved perfectly straight handwriting and now have a page of neat and aesthetic notes.

5. Try writing on a matte screen protector

If you’re not used to writing on the slick screen of the iPad, consider getting a matte screen protector.

This will add the friction you’re used to when writing on paper, and could help you get more comfortable writing on the iPad.

Check out Paperlike , or do a quick search on Amazon.

Tip : A matte screen protector can slightly reduce the crispness of the display.

6. Add a splash of color with highlighters

They’re not just for highlighting!

Highlighter ink appears as a softer color than the pen ink, and can add a splash of color without distracting from your notes.

In Goodnotes, it always falls behind your pen ink so as not to cover up your text.

So in addition to highlighting important information, you can also try:

• Drawing boxes to frame your notes or to create new sections
• Underlining your headings
• Creating shadows
• Coloring in any shapes or diagrams

7. Explore digital planners and templates

While Goodnotes comes with a variety of default templates , you can also import your own.

It’s similar to finding beautiful stationery: instead of changing your handwriting, let the paper transform the way your notes look.

You can find well-designed bullet journal spreads, daily or monthly planners, and even templates for different study notes.

We rounded up some of our favorite digital planners here .

8. Add stickers and images

Stickers are another no-brainer tip — you can take your normal notes, add a few stickers and make them bright or beautiful to look at.

Goodnotes comes with several default sticker packs from sticky notes, mind map shapes, to decorative stickers too.

With iOS 16’s new image cropping tool, you can turn your images into stickers too, as your backgrounds will automatically crop out!

Check out our blog post for some free (and premium) digital stickers .

9. Follow a color scheme

Which colors look best together?

When you take notes on the iPad, you literally have access to every color, meaning you can build your own color themes and palettes to use in your notes.

อะ แจก hexcode เราทำเก็บไว้สำหรับการย้ายไปใช้กู้ดโน้ตห้า แอดสีใหม่หาสีใหม่ไม่ใช่เรื่องตลกจริงๆ 555555555 รีได้ ไม่รีอัพนะคะ ขอบคุณค่า pic.twitter.com/HLNPnvecPN — เห้อใจละ1 (@adad__io) January 19, 2019

Find your colors you want to use, and save them as presets for easy access.

Take aesthetic iPad notes with Goodnotes

Join millions of people worldwide taking beautiful, searchable notes in Goodnotes. Or, for more information, read our list of best practices on taking notes on the iPad.

How to Make Handwriting Better on iPad (7 Tips) 

Across the globe, tech-forward individuals use iPads and Apple Pencils as alternatives to traditional pen and paper. But the truth is, the experience just isn’t the same. The smooth, slippery surface of an iPad isn’t comparable to a piece of paper, and Apple Pencils can’t compete with a traditional handwriting experience. 

As a result, more and more people are seeking advice on how to make handwriting look better on iPads. Luckily, we have a whole host of tips and tricks for people who want to transition from traditional to digital handwriting. 

Buy a Matte Screen Protector 

If you want better handwriting on your iPad, this is by far the easiest fix on this list. Glass just isn’t comparable to a piece of paper, leaving many digital note-takers feeling disappointed by their first attempt at neat cursive.  

To solve the problem, just buy a matte screen protector, place it on your iPad, and write away. The dilemma is: which screen protector should you choose?   

Rock Paper Pencil  includes a reusable, paper-feel iPad screen protector and two ballpoint Apple Pencil tips. Built with nano-texture technology, Rock Paper Pencil adds subtle friction between your screen and Pencil, giving you more control and therefore better handwriting.

• NanoCling Screen Protector : Securely bond your screen protector to your iPad using static cling. Easy application, non-adhesive, removable and reusable.
• Matte Texture:  Subtle friction mimics the feel of paper (no more slippery glass!)
• Precision Apple Pencil Tips : Smoother, more controlled strokes

Explore Pen Tools 

If you haven’t already explored the pen tools in your chosen app, give it a go. Believe it or not, switching between pens could make all the difference. 

Popular note-taking app GoodNotes has several types of pens. 

• Ball Pen. A non-sensitive pen that is commonly used for sketches and notes. 
• Brush Pen. A highly sensitive pen that is ideal for illustrations, sketches, and detailed work. 
• Fountain Pen. A pressure-sensitive pen that is great for notes and sketches.  

People who write aesthetically pleasing cursive with the Ball Pen might struggle with the Fountain Pen, and vice versa. You may be accidentally using the wrong pen tool without realizing it, so it’s worth exploring all your options. 

Experiment with Templates 

Sometimes, the easiest path to better handwriting on your iPad is the simplest. It can be difficult to write a neat sentence on a blank page; the lack of spatial cues means that your sentence is likely to droop down or slope up. 

The solution is to use a template. Of course, there are plenty of ultra-detailed note-taking templates for iPad users out there, but you could start with something simple. Lots of people use grids to standardize letter sizes and lined paper to avoid the dreaded droop. 

Discover the 5 best note-taking apps for iPads in 2024 . 

Zoom in and out 

Zooming in and out can transform your note-taking experience. After all, most of us learned how to write on lined paper, which always stayed the same size. When you transition to digital note-taking, you are faced with disproportionately large lettering, which is enough to throw anyone off. 

The larger the writing is, the harder it is to control. To transfer your notes to the digital realm, you should zoom out. Experiment with different sizes until you find a level of zoom that feels comfortable. 

If you’ve already written your notes, you can use the Lasso tool to increase or decrease the size of the text. Not only is this great for making your page look good, but it also makes your notes far more readable. 

Buy an Apple Pencil Grip 

As easy as it seems, the act of writing is complex, and it strains all the muscles in your hand, fingers, and wrist. If you take plenty of digital notes, you’re bound to experience this at some point or another. 

Stylus grips are a response to the problem of hand fatigue. These small silicone accessories can make a world of difference, and not only to your comfort level. If you’re more accustomed to using chunky pens and pencils, stylus grips could bridge the gap between traditional and digital note-taking. 

At just $4.99 per pack, grips are one of the most affordable ways to get better handwriting on your iPad. 

Use the Straighten Feature 

If all else fails, it might be worth using a shortcut.

Most note-taking apps (such as Apple Notes) have a Straighten feature. As the name suggests, this feature allows you to select a word, sentence, or section of your notes and manipulate the placement, size, and tilt. 

Noteshelf, Notability, and Goodnotes also have a Snap-to-Shape feature which allows you to smooth or straighten hand-drawn lines.  

• Draw a single stroke
• Hold your stylus still on the page 

In two simple steps, your stroke has gone from wobbly and unappealing to straight and streamlined! 

Convert Handwriting to Text 

Is your search history littered with “How to make handwriting better on iPad?” If you are really struggling to make handwriting look better on your iPad, you could just convert your scribbles to text.  

Most popular note-taking apps have a feature that converts handwriting to text. Just tap the conversion tool, select your handwriting, and watch your handwriting transform into text before your eyes. 

Here are the most popular note-taking apps that support handwriting-to-text conversion. 

• Microsoft OneNote
• Notes Plus 

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How-To Geek

My wait for a windows version of popular ipad app goodnotes was worth it.

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Signing up for goodnotes, goodnotes on windows has incredible note-taking features, what we’d like to see.

Goodnotes gained popularity among the younger generation of iPad users because it makes note-taking fun and keeps files organized. The only downside was that the app was only compatible with iOS devices. Luckily, Goodnotes finally released a Windows version, and here are the things you need to know.

You can sign up or log in to the Goodnotes app on Windows with Google, Microsoft, or Apple. So, if you've signed up to Goodnotes in the past, you can use the same account on your Windows PC. Additionally, you can sign in to multiple accounts and easily switch between profiles, making your note-taking experience smoother than ever.

It comes as no surprise that to enjoy all the features on Goodnotes for Windows, you’ll need to subscribe to the premium version. For example, the free version has a notebook limit of three, meaning you can only get three documents or notes. So, if you need more notes, you’ll have to upgrade to one of the paid subscriptions.

The plans available are Goodnotes for Windows and Goodnotes Pro, which offer unlimited notebooks and allow you to import documents up to 250GB and export without a watermark. The major difference is the pricing and iOS features exclusive to Goodnotes Pro. These include AI typing, AI math assistance, and practice materials for exams like SATs.

As of June 2024, Goodnotes for Windows is priced at $6.99 a year, while Goodnotes Pro is a bit more expensive and costs $9.99 a year. A GoodNote Pro subscription lets you use Goodnotes on iOS, Android, Windows devices, or the web.

I ran the Goodnotes app on an HP Envy x360 with Windows 11 to get the tablet-like effect. Here are some of the cool features I used.

Multiple Page Formats

After launching the Goodnotes app and setting it up, you’ll need a notebook to start taking notes. Much like the iOS versions, Goodnotes for Windows offers many different page formats for taking notes and even daily planning to stay organized. I was very impressed to see different music sheet options, so you can write music using the app.

If you use Goodnotes to take notes in class or a meeting and prefer writing in a straight line, there is a ruled paper option. And if you love to bullet journal, you can now do so digitally with the dotted page options. There are also blank pages for drawing or jotting down ideas freely. The best part is customizing your own templates to make your notes exactly how you like.

Offline Access

You can also access your notes offline, so there's no need to worry about having a stable internet connection. Goodnotes lets you view and edit your notes, and they will sync when your connection is restored.

Planners And To-Do Templates

The planner and to-do templates in Goodnotes might be the least exciting feature to many, but if you love digital planners and organization tools like myself, Goodnotes has plenty of options.

From accounting sheets to planning your finances, a variety of monthly and weekly planner sheets and a standard to-do sheet to keep your day organized. The templates are quite basic, but they give you the creative room to customize them and make them your own.

If you are a student and deal with many charts and diagrams while studying and taking notes, the lasso tool in Goodnotes is like having a rope for your diagrams and charts. If you are unfamiliar with it, the lasso tool, represented by lines forming a rope, lets you select and move multiple elements simultaneously. This makes it easy to copy and paste elements onto your notes or rearrange notes.

It's as simple as selecting the lasso tool and drawing a line around the diagram. Then, you can move and drag the diagram to any part of the page you like.

Another benefit of the lasso tool is if you have a more complex diagram and want to adjust a few things. Instead of erasing and redrawing, you can use the lasso tool to grab what you want and move it around easily.

Sharing Docs And Collaborating

Sharing your documents and collaborating with others is quite simple with Goodnotes, whether you're working on a group project, sharing meeting notes, or studying with someone.

You can highlight important points, add comments, and anyone else can work on the same document with you simultaneously. All you need to do is click on share on the right side of your screen, then create a share link.

Note that the sharing feature on your Windows computer is only available with paid subscriptions to Goodnotes for Windows or Goodnotes Pro.

Beta Testing Marketplace

Goodnotes on the Windows version is beta testing a marketplace where you can explore and download a wide range of paper templates, notebook covers, and tools to amp up your note-taking experience.

You also have the option to join as a creator and show off your skills, which is a plus. All the templates currently listed in the marketplace section are free for users with a paid subscription to either Goodnotes on Windows or Goodnotes Pro.

So far, so good, but there are some areas where Goodnotes for Windows could be better. For instance, there should be more instructions on how to navigate the app. This is especially necessary for first-time users who have never used Goodnotes before. It would be helpful to see some instructions pop up when you hold your cursor over tools.

There is also currently no search bar, which can be a problem with the unlimited notebooks feature in Goodnotes on Windows and Goodnotes Pro. On the bright side, however, there is an option to sort notes by date, name, and type, making finding your notes easier. But having a search bar would make it quicker.

If you use the same login details as your iPad to sign in to your Goodnotes account on your Windows device, you will notice there is no document synchronization. This is because, according to Goodnotes, the accounts for iOS, Windows, and Android are separate, and at the moment, there is no library synchronization between these devices.

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