Calling all iPad and Apple Pencil users! - Product Recommendation🌟

My favorite iPad accessories (by far) are all made by Astropad. Haven’t heard of Astropad? Allow me to enlighten you…

I’ve been following Astropad since 2018 when I discovered Astropad Studio, which is an app that turns your iPad into a professional drawing tablet for Mac or PC by connecting your iPad and desktop computer (over USB cable or your local WiFi) so that you can mirror your desktop screen and draw directly into creative desktop apps by Adobe, Affinity, Clip Studio, Krita, etc. via the iPad. I happily used it for years before iPad apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco were developed to a point where I rarely ever felt the need to draw directly into Photoshop or Illustrator anymore. While I don’t personally use the app anymore, it’s still an incredible app used by many happy users to this day. I also respect the heck out of the Astropad creators so I’ve followed their evolving journey ever since by staying subscribed to their newsletter.

Fast forward a couple of years and they enter into the accessories space by creating a Kickstarter for their (at the time) new product: Darkboard, an ergonomic iPad drawing stand for creatives. Backing that Kickstarter was one of the smartest moves I’ve ever made in my career. When I tell you that I love this thing, that feels like an understatement. I freaking LOVE IT.

A creative friend recently asked me for iPad case recommendations and I pointed them to Astropad, even though the company, technically, doesn’t make a case that is meant to stay on the iPad at all times. But, like, hear me out…

The Darkboard is light, versatile, and so comfortable to use, that I decided to forego a standard case for my iPad altogether because the Darkboard is designed so that “naked” iPads fit into the protective case. I didn’t want to have to take it out of a traditional case every time I use the Darkboard, so instead, I opted for a cloth case to store it in when it’s not in the Darkboard (this is the one I own because I love pink 💖). I use the Compact Easel Stand (pictured below) with my caseless iPad occasionally at home when I don’t want to use the Darkboard (usually for space reasons) and it’s stable enough that it feels plenty safe to do so.

I also own the Rock Paper Pencil iPad screen protector (with Apple Pencil pen tips). It has an amazing paper-like feel and is magnetic so it’s REMOVABLE. 😱🤩 It’s super easy to remove and reapply so if, for whatever reason, you’re not married to the paper-feel screen, you have the option to switch between a smooth screen and a textured screen. The ballpoint pen tips that come with it are awesome as well!

And last but not least, Astropad’s customer service is excellent. A rare product imperfection in one of my pen nibs caused a big, distracting scratch across my screen protector, and when I emailed customer service about it (with picture proof) they sent me a replacement Rock Paper Pencil set free of charge. A+++

And guess what?! I love Astropad products so much, I've recently become an Astropad affiliate!🎉 This means that, at no cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through any of the links on this page and finalize a purchase. As always, I only share tools that I personally use and recommend.🤓

My (cluttered but effective) course filming set up using the Darkboard and Darkboard stand to prop up my iPad so that it can be used as a teleprompter.💡

I know the price tags look high, but in my humble opinion, they are worth every single penny!

That said, if your budget doesn’t allow for all of these products, my #1 recommendation out of all of them is easily the Darkboard. Do yourself a favor and invest in this bad boy. Your posture will thank you!