Astropad Launches Rock Paper Pencil 4.0 With New Graphite Apple Pencil Tip - MacRumors
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Astropad Launches Rock Paper Pencil 4.0 With New Graphite Apple Pencil Tip

Astropad today launched Rock Paper Pencil 4.0, an updated version of its screen protector and Apple Pencil tip combo made for the iPad.


Rock Paper Pencil offers a paper-like writing experience on a tablet display by pairing a paper-textured screen protector with custom tips for the ‌Apple Pencil‌. The new version of the product comes with two ‌Apple Pencil‌ tips, one with a smooth ballpoint feel and one that mimics a soft graphite pencil. Two of each tip come in the kit for four total.

Astropad says the new graphite tip is meant to feel just like a 2B pencil with a "soft, toothy drag" that's ideal for sketching or shading. It even has the sound of a pencil on paper. The ballpoint tip is meant to feel like a smooth gel pen, and it's suited to writing and linework.

The reusable screen protector remains the same as before, and users can put it on when writing or drawing on the ‌iPad‌ and take it off for other activities like gaming. It uses Astropad's NanoCling technology to attach, and it leaves no residue on the ‌iPad‌'s display because it doesn't use adhesive. The paper-like feel of the screen protector comes from a microscopic texture that adds a small amount of friction to improve control. When not in use, the screen protector can be kept in an included protective storage sleeve.

rock paper pencil 4 0
Rock Paper Pencil is compatible with most iPads, with a list available on the website. The tips work with all ‌Apple Pencil‌ models, including the ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro.

Rock Paper Pencil 4.0 can be purchased from the Astropad website for $49.99. Astropad is also running a "Peel It Off" promo that offers $20 to people who switch to Rock Paper Pencil and share the removal of their old screen protector on social media.

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Top Rated Comments

Westside guy Avatar
3 weeks ago
This sounds pretty cool... I just wish I could draw, even a little. :rolleyes:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2 weeks ago
In case anyone else was wondering, I asked their AI chatbot what the differences were between their 3.0 and 4.0 versions of this and this is what it told me:

The main difference between Rock Paper Pencil 3.0 and 4.0 is the Apple Pencil tips included in the kit.
Rock Paper Pencil V3:

* Includes 2 ballpoint tips total

Rock Paper Pencil V4:

* Includes 4 tips total: 2 ballpoint tips and 2 graphite tips

The graphite tip is new in V4 and mimics a 2B pencil with a soft, toothy drag, making it ideal for sketching, shading, and expressive strokes. The ballpoint tip (available in both versions) feels like a gel pen with smooth glide and subtle bite, best for precise linework and neat notetaking.
The screen protector itself is identical between V3 and V4. It uses the same paper-feel texture, NanoCling attachment, and is removable and reusable with no adhesive or residue.
Most people use both tips depending on what they're working on that day.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3 weeks ago
I love mine, I stuck it on my iPad when it arrived years ago and never took it off. Heck, I might buy the new one just to support the company.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)