The MacBook Air is one of Apple’s greatest achievements. A sleek-looking, small, yet high-performance laptop is great for many electronic needs. However, the MacBook Air does not have a touchscreen. Graphic design endeavors can pose difficulties. Can you use a stylus on a MacBook Air?

With an external drawing tablet, you can use a stylus to create text and drawings to transfer to your MacBook Air. Since the MacBook Air does not have a touchscreen display, you cannot draw directly on the laptop screen. Using a stylus on the trackpad only gets you so far.

Read on to learn more about whether you can use a stylus on a MacBook Air. If you have other Apple devices, chances are that you will have no problem creating your designs and transferring them to your MacBook Air. Without another Apple product, however, you are not going to have what you need.

Can You Use a Stylus on a Macbook Air?

You can use a stylus on a Macbook Air; that is if you have a compatible iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. For the methods you will learn, it is important to consider that these work best with the latest versions of Apple products and with the latest software installed.

On the simpler side, you can use a stylus instead of your fingers on your MacBook Air’s trackpad. MacBook Air’s drawing feature – Magic – allows you to use the trackpad to draw directly onto your MacBook screen. However, it is noticeably more difficult to draw large pictures on a small trackpad.

You can use a stylus on your trackpad, but it is not the most convenient way to use a stylus with your MacBook Air. You must become familiar with the sensitivity of the MacBook trackpad. If you put too little or too much pressure on the stylus, you will not get the results you are looking for.

As you will read below, the best way to use a stylus on a MacBook Air does not involve directly using the stylus on your MacBook’s trackpad. If you have a stylus and another Apple device for your design purposes, you are in luck. Drawing and converting to your MacBook Air is simple.

How to Use an Apple Pencil With a Mac Computer

Whether you need to markup documents on your MacBook Air or draw a completely new sketch for a logo, you can pair another Apple device with your MacBook Air. Using a stylus to draw on the other device, you will find that your work can be easily transferred to your MacBook Air.

Using Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup, you can draw on another Apple device and have it automatically insert itself onto your MacBook Air. To do this, you need a newer version of at least one of these Apple devices:

• iPad
• iPhone
• iPod Touch

Read below to see how using a touchscreen-capable Apple device can support a stylus for edits on your MacBook Air.

Pair Your Device With Your MacBook Air

Both devices must be connected to iCloud on the same Apple ID account. Make sure that your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your MacBook Air. You must also turn on Bluetooth for both devices. Your touchscreen-capable device must have iPadOS or iOS 13 or later, and your MacBook Air must have macOS Catalina or later.

If your MacBook Air is in one room but you would like to draw on your other device somewhere else, you can – as long as the two devices are within Bluetooth range. Once the devices are paired by following the steps above, you can begin using a stylus with your MacBook Air.

Continuity Sketch

Continuity Sketch is the most widely-used program for working on a MacBook document with a stylus. With your devices paired, right-click on your MacBook Air document and select “Insert Sketch.” You may also find an “Add Sketch” option by clicking “File,” then “Insert from [your device].” 

Your other device will automatically present a blank document with Markup tools on which you can work. Simply use your stylus to create your drawing or design on your touchscreen-capable device. Once you have finished your work, click “Done” in the upper right corner. Your sketch will automatically appear on your MacBook Air document.

As you can see, this does not involve physically drawing on your MacBook Air’s screen or trackpad. If you do not have another Apple device on which to draw your sketch, you cannot do much else on your MacBook Air’s trackpad as efficiently or effectively.

Continuity Markup

Continuity Markup is similar to Continuity Sketch. With the devices paired, use your MacBook Air to pick a document that you wish to edit, press the spacebar to preview the document, and select the Markup option at the top of the document. You can then click the annotate option and select your paired device to make your notes on.

This will prompt the same Markup tool with the document to appear on your touchscreen-capable Apple device. You can use your stylus to make any kinds of edits available, and you will notice that every edit made on your device will instantly appear on your MacBook Air’s screen.

Continuity Markup is useful for monitoring how your edits will look on an enlarged version of your document. You can ensure that the changes you make are clear and readable. When you finish making the changes on your device, click “Done” on the paired device as well as your MacBook Air.

Can You Use Any Stylus With a Macbook Air?

Because you must have another Apple device, you might also worry that an Apple Pencil is required as your stylus. On the contrary, as long as your stylus is compatible with your touchscreen-capable Apple device, you will be good to go.

Placeit For Graphic Design

If you struggle with finding a design software that suits your graphic design needs, consider Placeit. Placeit contains thousands of free designs, logos, mockups, and templates to help you create the perfect layout, without needing a stylus. The free, online software takes away the stress of purchasing and installing new software on your device.

Takeaway

Technically, you can use a stylus on a MacBook Air. As long as you have another Apple device that supports drawing with a stylus, you can easily pair the device with your MacBook Air and transfer sketches and edits without hassle.

If you are at all familiar with the web-based design platform Canva, you have probably encountered that annoying pop-up box that says “saving error” or “editor locked”. You may be wondering what keeps causing this issue and if there is a way to fix it so you don’t lose precious time spent on designs that cant be saved.

To learn the reasons why you may be receiving these error messages and how to potentially fix them continue reading.

Reasons Why You Can’t Save Your Work in Canva

When you are tight on time and need to design there is nothing more frustrating than receiving an error message telling you that Canva can’t save your design or your editor is locked.

To the best of your knowledge, you have done everything correctly and it still won’t let you save your work. Now you are ready to smash the computer or device you are using.

Before resulting in violence it is important to know that saving errors and locked editor pages are common issues among Canva users and there are ways to solve them.

Understanding why you’re receiving these error messages and how to potentially eliminate them will remove the frustration so you can move on to the next task in your busy life.

1. Your Browser Is Incompatible or Not up to Date

If you continually run into problems while trying to save your work on Canva it may be as simple as your internet browser may not be the best choice to use with their platform.

Some internet browsers work better with other platforms than others; changing your browser can make a big difference in how well and how quickly the program works.

If you are unsure of which browser works best with the Canva platform Firefox and Chrome are the top recommended browsers to use with the Canva design platform

Other times it is just a simple matter of updating your current browser to a more current version. A quick update can fix any bugs and ensure that your browser is communicating properly with the Canva platform.

Most internet browsers have a tab near the top right-hand side of the window where you can access the settings menu. Once the settings menu is located there will be a tab that tells you which version you are running and if there are any updates available.

2. Your App Is Behind the Times

If you are using a mobile app to create your designs with Canva via a mobile device you may be running into similar issues as the desktop version.

Check the internet browser you are using to see that it is the best option for working with the Canva design program. If you find that there is a better option switch to that and see if your issues are resolved.

As you likely know by now in this day and age of technology, apps can become outdated just as well as desktop internet browsers.

To be sure you are running the most current version of the Canva app on your mobile device, check your settings to be sure there are no updates needed.  

In addition to your app being out of date, it is possible that the device you are using needs to be updated in order to support the new software that is downloaded.

If your device is running an older version of the software it will not communicate as it should and none of your apps will work properly.

3. Failure to Make a Proper Connection

A poor internet connection is a common reason why people encounter error messages popping up telling you that the designs you just worked so hard on cannot be saved or that the Canva editor is locked.

That is one of the biggest complaints that designers have with Canva is the fact that there are no local storage options for your designs. That means if you can’t connect to the internet you cannot connect to Canva so you can’t create or save any designs.

That can be extremely annoying if you happen to be somewhere without an internet connection and want to work on a design. Sometimes your poor connection has to do with your specific internet service.

It may behoove you to check with your provider and see how fast your internet service actually is and if there are any options for upgrading to a higher speed. In this day and age the faster the connection the better your programs will work.

Nowadays more and more people are working on the go or traveling for their jobs which means they are working on mobile devices which means finding a solid internet connection can be difficult.

If you find that you are using the Canva design platform on a mobile device more than a desktop computer then it may be wise to invest in a portable internet box that has a signal wherever you travel.  

4. Tech Issues and Scheduled Maintenance

For those who may not know, Canva is a web-based platform meaning everything is done online. Web-based platforms such as Canva tend to run into technical issues more frequently than a program that is downloaded locally to your computer such as Adobe Illustrator.

In order to keep operations working as smoothly as possible Canva also performs routine maintenance which can cause interruptions with the service.

Generally, the Canva technical team will post a notification or lock the editor to make their users aware that they are not able to save their work at that moment and to try again later.

Fixing Frustrating Saving Errors With Simple Solutions

When you are trying to create a design while using the Canva platform it can be aggravating to receive saving errors or get locked out of the editing process when you are on a tight schedule. Thankfully, this article has shed some light on the most common reasons why this happens so you can take the necessary steps to rectify the situation and get back to designing.

PowerPoint is a great tool that can be used to make stunning presentations and slides. Sometimes however, we run into issues like the text we type appears in all caps.

The reason text is all caps in PowerPoint is because you have had the “change case” setting set to all caps, the font you are using has capital letters by default, or you had caps lock turned on in your desktop.

In most cases this is an easy fix, and you will go back to creating presentations that will blow your viewers socks off, with the appropriate capitalization. Read on to find out how. 

Here’s Why PowerPoint is All Caps

There are several reasons why your fonts are appearing in all caps in PowerPoint, here are the probable causes and how to fix them.

1. You have Caps Lock on. This is the simplest problem and simplest solution. You may have just enabled Caps Lock on your PC and forgot to turn it off. Your Caps Lock indicator light might not be working, so try turning Caps Lock off even if you don’t see the light.
2. The Font is All Caps. Sometimes the fonts we use are set to caps lock by default. Try changing your font to see if you notice a difference. Default fonts like Arial or Times New Roman will have regular casing and are good ways to check.
3. You had “Change Case” On. This is a feature that automatically changes the case of all text to caps or lowercase, and may accidently have been enabled on your PC. Disable this feature through Format then Font and see if the checkmark if All Caps is checked.

By checking these areas, you are likely to have discovered the source of the caps issue and can address it to get your text looking the way it should. Here is a deeper look into all 3 options.

What You Can Do to Fix This

Don’t just learn to live with it. Really, it’s a simple fix!

Fixing Caps Lock

One of the main causes of this issue is that caps lock is on and all of your text is being rendered in capitalization. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the correct ones so try and turn off caps lock on your device even if you think you have done it already.

Sometimes there is the potential problem that your caps lock key is broken or stuck in which case hitting the caps lock button does nothing.

Try to open a browser or another software and type some texting to see if it still appears in caps. If your caps lock key is broken, then you can enable a virtual keyboard on your PC to turn it off.

Changing Your Font

Sometimes, fonts use capital letters for all text which could appear as if caps lock was turned on. These uppercase fonts are plentiful so if you change your font to something then you might have run into this issue.

Some examples of all caps fonts are Baron, Blackout, and Simplifica. Try changing your font into something that uses regular casing like Times new Roman and you can check if the issue still persists.

The reason these fonts are always capitalized is because they appear dramatic and try to grab viewers’ attention. Oftentimes this is great for presentations but may not always be the case so see if it works for you. You can even make custom designs made online to really make your presentations stand out.

The Change Case Option

Did you know there is an option in PowerPoint that will automatically change the case of all text? This can capitalize each word, make certain words upper or lower case or capitalize everything.

This is the Change Case option, and it may have been accidentally enabled on your device which is the cause of the issue you are facing. This can be enabled with a simple keyboard shortcut, Shift + F3.

Try this combination and see if the case of your letters changes and you will have gotten to the bottom of the issue. To disable this setting and get your font back in regular case, highlight the text, check Format, and then Font and you should see a check mark by the “All Caps” option. All you need to do is clear the check and your text should appear normal.

Conclusion

Now that you know what the potential causes are, you can take the steps needed to address them so that your text will be in the correct case. Thankfully these are all very simple solutions and within minutes they will be resolved.

You have been considering the possibility of using Canva for some of your graphic design and web needs but have heard that it can be a difficult platform to use. Now you are wondering why Canva is so hard to use and if you should still keep it on the table as a viable option to promote your business or brand.

Keep reading to learn what professional graphic designers say about Canva and the reasons why it can be so hard to use in some situations.

Why Use Canva?

Before we begin it is important for you to know that Canva is a great design platform if you:  

• Do not have a lot of graphic design experience, especially with web-based platforms

• Do not have a lot of time to spend creating new designs and need something quick

• Are not concerned about creating a look that completely sets you apart from others

In ways, the Canva platform is easy to use with its drag-and-drop method of design. It can be useful for social media, educational content, or start-up businesses trying to gain a following.

Many people use the Canva design platform because it can be used to quickly bring awareness to a business, brand, or particular charity.

Beyond that, it can be a true designer’s nightmare and the following section will explain why.

Reasons Why Canva Is So Hard To Use

If you ask a professional graphic designer what they think about the Canva design platform you may be met with a few eye rolls. Most professional graphic designers have worked very hard to reach their level of success in their profession.

Now multiple easy-to-use web-based design platforms are popping up adding to the competition with Canva being one of the top rivals. Although it claims to be user-friendly the list below explains why it can be so hard to use Canva.

1. Vector-Based Vs. Raster Graphics

One of the main reasons why it can be so hard to use Canva is that they do not use vector-based graphics.

Canva uses raster graphics which means that images created in this format are not scaleable. The more you enlarge a raster graphic the more pixelated it becomes so it loses its original quality and makes your design look unprofessional.

If you are creating original logo designs it is important that you use a vector-based program so it can be scaled to any size. Creating your logo using the Canva templates means you are limited on its size and usage. 

2. Limited Access Reduces Productivity

A large reason it can be so hard to use Canva is that it is a completely web-based design platform. This means that if they are performing maintenance on the website or if it is down for whatever reason you are locked out.

When Canva is not working, neither are you; this can be extremely frustrating and cause issues with deadlines or timely posting of content. With Canva you cannot save any of your designs on your hard drive.

They are all saved to the Canva cloud where they are closely monitored. Additionally, if you are working on a design and have not backed it up to the Canva database it can be lost if they encounter any issues and you have to start all over.

The lack of local file storage gives Canva more control over the ownership and usage of each design that is created via their services. Good for them, not so much for the designer, especially if they wish to share it more broadly to gain recognition.

3. Difficult To Be Distinctive

The main part of being a designer is that you want to stand out from the crowd. You want to be distinctive so that people recognize your work the second they look at it. With the Canva design platform, it is almost impossible to exude any individuality.

The reason for this is that there are a certain number of designs to choose from. Although there are many combinations of colors, templates, and ways of positioning images on the page you will notice that after a while, everyone’s websites start to look the same.

The lack of scalability of the images also makes Canva harder to use because trying to enlarge images will reduce the quality of your overall design.

4. Limited Photo Editing Options

Canva does offer some basic tools for making minor adjustments to photographs however they fade in comparison to other vector-based programs like those created by Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.

If you are serious about the quality of photographs in your design it is hard to edit them using the Canva web-based design platform.

5. Legal Issues – Ownership and Usage Limitations

When you take the time to create a design whether it be a business log or graphics for a webpage you expect that the design belongs to you. Since Canva is a free design platform if you are not using the Pro version it gives them more rights to your work.

Free is great if you are on a tight budget, but it can cost you in the long run if you are not careful. If you are using the Canva platform think again; anything created on the Canva platform is subject to ownership rights by the website. Many rules and restrictions must be followed closely or they take legal action.

You also need to be careful of how where you share the content you have created on the Canva platform and how many times you share it with others. If you exceed their limit you will also be subject to legal implications.

Level of Difficulty is a Matter of Perspective

When it comes to Canva, it is not necessarily hard to use for simple drag-and-drop design tasks as mentioned above. For truly professional and unique designs that are scalable and can be shared without fear of legal action, it is best to use a vector-based program where you have control of what is happening with your design.

When collaborating with multiple people to create a design it is important that you are able to share said design with the group so everyone can put their two cents into the final outcome. But what do you do when you keep getting permission errors saying that you can’t share your design with other people?

Generally, it is simple to edit your sharing permissions so that the entire group can make changes to the design. From the settings menu in Canva there are options that allow you to choose how and with whom you share information.

To learn more about the settings in Canva that allow you to make your design sharable continue reading this helpful article.

Sharing Designs With Others On The Canva Platform

To avoid error messages while using the Canva design platform the following methods of sharing are recommended.

If not currently editing a design and you wish to share it with other members of your design team follow these steps for sharing:

1. Head to the Home Page

If you have a design that has been saved and you wish to share it with your team members simply head to the Canva home page. Look to the left and you will find a tab labeled “All your designs”.

2. Make a Design Selection

Now that you have found the menu you will scroll through the folder until you locate the design you wish to share with your design team members. Select the design you want.

3. Drop Down And Choose A Design Member

Once you have chosen which design you want to share you may click on the three little dots on the top corner of the design icon.

This is where you will type the design team member’s name or email address if you don’t have it saved into the system already.

4. Choose Which Permissions to Allow

Once you have filled out the name of the recipient there is another drop-down menu that gives you options on whether or not this person may view the design only or if they also can make changes.

The menu will give you the option to share a “view only” version of the design for allowing a person to view the document but not make any changes.

The second option allows you to permit another person to “make changes” to the design rather than simply view it.

Generally, if you are sharing a design with someone it is so that they can make changes so be sure to grant them the proper permissions or they will be the ones receiving error messages.

Canva Editor

If you are working on a design and wish to share it with another member while you are using the Canva editor follow these steps for sharing:

Top of the Canva Editor Page

If you are currently working on a design and need to communicate instantly you can share the design by accessing the Share button at the top of the page.

Drop Down Menu to Select Team Member

Similar to the first method there will be a drop-down menu that gives you the option to type the name or email address of whomever you wish to share the design with.

Grant Necessary Access

Here you will decide if you want them to simply view the design and comment or if you want to allow them to make physical changes. Once you make your selection continue to the next step.

Message and Share

If you have something to tell the design team member you are sharing your work with there is an option to add comments before sharing.

Once you are satisfied simply click on the share button and your team member will have the permissions they need to get the job completed.

Copy and Paste Via Preferred Messaging App

Another alternative way of sharing the design with others is to access the share menu on the Canva editor page.

Then copy the link provided for the access you wish to grant and simply paste the link into whichever messaging app you are using to communicate with your team.

View Design Versus Edit Design Permissions

As you can see it is fairly simple to share and receive designs via the Canva design platform. As long as you pay attention and are sure that you have been permitted to edit the design you shouldn’t have to worry about any more error messages saying that permission access is limited.

When shopping for your next stylus pen online, you may have noticed that some of these styluses have little discs on their tips. These are called disc tip styluses appropriately, and they can make a huge difference in your art, note taking, and design work.

A disc stylus is a unique type of stylus pen that focuses on great sensitivity and precision for digital screens. The stylus’s tip is made of a thin flat disc that minimizes positioning errors by allowing the device to make very close contact with the stylus.

Are these styluses really going to make a big difference, you might be surprised at the benefits that they bring. Read on to find out.

What is a Disc Tip Stylus?

First of all, what is a disc tips stylus and what is it used for? A disc tip stylus is a type of capacitive online drawing tool that contains a small flat disc at the end.

This disc is used to create a more active and accurate representation of what comes into contact with the device. Therefore, you will experience a more precise representation of what you draw when you are using a stylus with a disc tip.

The reason a flat disc is used is because it will emulate the motion of a finger going through a touchscreen. You may have noticed that when you use your hand on your tablet it is very smooth and responsive.

A disc tip stylus will try to recreate that accuracy but in a much smaller surface area similar to that of a pen. This brings together the best of both worlds so that the pen will be as close as possible to the image in your head that you want to bring to life on your screen.

How Does it Work?

The disc is made of a conductive material that attempts to minimize the surface area that is coming into contact with the device. If you run your hand through your device to try and make a line you will notice that it is not very accurate at all.

This is because when you use your hand you have created a large surface area that your device is not able to pinpoint exactly where the line should be drawn. This is why many people use a stylus when they draw because it not only emulates the size of a pen, but it creates an image that a device can easily recognize because it is able to determine what the pen is drawing.

What are the Advantages?

A few benefits of this stylus are listed below.

• Compatibility: One significant benefit of a disc stylus is its compatibility with a wide range of touchscreen devices. You won’t need to purchase multiple pens for your various devices because the tip is set to function like an actual finger would.
• Accuracy: Since there is less point of contact between the screen on your device and the disc, the results will be significantly more accurate. It will provide you with exactly what you want and provides a broader range of motion than a typical tip would.
• Ease of Use: A stylus is much easier to use than your finger because it functions like a regular pen would and gives you more room to work with. Since a disc tip stylus is more accurate to use than a regular stylus, it’ll be even easier to use.

There are several reasons why you would want to use a disc tip stylus but when you try one out yourself it is likely that you will notice the difference right away and you can stop focusing on making your tech work and instead focus on your task at hand whether it be creating wonderful works of art or taking quick notes when you don’t have a lot of time.

Conclusion

Here’s why using a disc tip stylus will make a big difference. On a touchscreen device, you need to make sure that there is as little space for error as possible when you sketch in order to produce an accurate image.

When using a disc tip stylus, you’ll see that the image you’re making is virtually as if your finger had shrunk to size and hit the exact tablet pixel you needed it to. These styluses produce the most accurate computation that determines where a point will be drawn by marrying the finesse and size of a pen with the feel and accuracy of an actual finger.

Styluses are becoming increasingly popular tools for their improved accuracy and support of artistic features and expressions. However, despite their commonalities in appearance, not all styluses are created the same. If you ever tried to use a cheap stylus from Amazon on an iPad, you likely found that it didn’t work, and may have been wondering why that is.

The reason why some styluses won’t work on iPads has to do with compatibility and design. To be compatible with an iPad, a stylus must have certain features that allow it to interact with the iPad’s touch screen. Therefore, pairing an iPad with a stylus pen created by Apple yields the best results.

In this article, we will discuss the reasons why some styluses don’t work on iPads and which styluses you can pair with these devices. As you read, you’ll learn about how different stylus designs affect both their functionality and compatibility, and how you can use this information to find off-brand alternatives for your tablet.

How Do iPad Touchscreens Work?

Arguably the best way to understand why a particular stylus won’t work with your iPad is to explain how these device’s touchscreens work and how this design affects the design implemented in styluses.

The predominant reason why most styluses don’t work on Apple’s iPads is that these devices are created using “capacitive” touch screens, which are specifically designed to detect electrical currents from the human body to function.

There are technically two types of capacitive touchscreens that electronics companies will utilize: surface-capacitive and projected capacitive. Apple uses the latter for its modern tablets.

Projected Capacitive

A projected capacitive touchscreen works by creating an electrical field above the device’s surface that can detect when a finger or other object is close to distorting this field. This technology is what makes it possible for iPad users to perform complex gestures, like pinch-to-zoom, on their tablets’ touchscreens.

Because projected capacitive technology relies on the electrical properties of the human body, it also means that not all styluses will work with iPad devices because the tablets were painstakingly designed to operate using human touch.

After Apple supporters pleaded for years to have a compatible stylus, Apple yielded and released the Apple Pencil 1^st Generation in 2015 and then upgraded the design to the Apple Pencil 2^nd Generation, released in 2018.

How Do the Apple Pencils Work?

In order for a capacitive stylus, like the Apple Pencils 1 and 2, to work with an iPad, it must be able to conduct electrical current. This is why you’ll often see capacitive styluses advertised as “conductive” or “active.”

There are a few different ways that manufacturers can achieve this:

• Some capacitive styluses have tips made of conductive materials like metal or carbon fiber.
• Others use an internal battery to generate an electrical current that flows through the tip and into the tablet’s screen.
• Within an Apple Pencil, you’ll find a tip electrode, a ring electrode, and “a multiaxial force sensor to measure the force exerted by the user in both the axial and radial direction.”

When the stylus contacts the iPad’s surface, the tablet detects the capacitances within the tip and ring electrodes to determine your pen’s orientation while the force sensors help determine the amount of pressure you’re applying.

The result is an impressively accurate tool that is arguably unmatched. Of course, this extensive design to accommodate iPads comes at a cost, especially when paired with other luxury features, which is why most Apple Pencils are offered at steep prices despite capacitive styluses being relatively cheap to make.

What Are the Common Stylus Designs?

Because most modern tablets are created with capacitive touchscreens, the majority of styluses are made using this design. The benefits of this choice are that the styluses tend to be compatible with more devices across multiple brands and can be manufactured and sold at affordable prices.

However, cheaper capacitive styluses also come with the disadvantage of limited to no pressure sensitivity (unless they included extensive features in their design, like Apple) and their input can be finicky if something else is on your tabet’s surface.

Apart from a capacitive stylus, there are only two other common designs:

• Wacom technology
• Bluetooth

Below is a brief explanation of how these stylus designs work, as well as their pros and cons for you to consider if you intend to find a new stylus for your iPad.

Wacom

If you’re a graphic designer or digital artist, you’re probably familiar with the Wacom brand, as they focus on creating graphic tablets and other digital art accessories.

Styluses made by Wacom are meant to be paired with their tablets, since special sensors are located underneath the touch screens digitizer layer to help increase its ability to accurately assess stylus pressure.

This can be crucial when it comes to recording pen thickness, shading, and other inputs accurately.

Additionally, these styluses demonstrate superior palm rejection and, like the Apple Pencils, are created with other uncommon features that set them apart from the competition. That being said, this too comes at an increased cost and reduces device compatibility.

Wacom styluses also require support from the company’s applications in order to function, which is an additional step most users would like to do without.

Bluetooth

The emergence of Bluetooth styluses was an attempt to find an accurate stylus design that didn’t heavily rely on complex or extensive touchscreen design in order to operate ideally.

Instead of communicating via hardware, these styluses communicate with your tablet once they are wirelessly connected. As long as the connection is sufficient, the tablet will detect the stylus’ position, while the stylus will detect and relay pressure.

Like all the other designs, this one comes with its pros and cons as well. The biggest con is probably that most Bluetooth styluses require batteries to operate, while other designs are powered through their paired tablet.

They are also limited to devices that support Bluetooth pairing and tend to cost more than the average Wacom or capacitive stylus.

However, there is a lot of potential here down the road, as these styluses boast a design that is compatible with most pressure-sensitive tablets, iPads included. 

What Styluses Are Compatible With the iPad?

As we mentioned previously, anyone using an iPad will have the smoothest, most accurate experience using either an Apple Pencil 1 or 2.

However, if you’re not a fan of the design or cost of these styluses, some feasible alternatives include:

• Adonit Dash 4
• Adonit Pixel
• Logitech Crayon
• Zagg Pro Stylus
• Meko Universal Stylus

Each of these options comes with its own pros and cons you’ll want to weigh heavily before deciding which is best for you. You’ll also want to keep in mind that not every stylus listed above is compatible with every iPad model, so make sure you confirm this beforehand.

Final Thoughts

For such a simplistic looking device, the technology behind how tablet styluses work can be a bit advanced, making it difficult to understand why some styluses will work with certain tablets but not others. In the case of an iPad, sticking to an Apple Pencil will always yield ideal results, but if you’re looking for an alternative, the options listed above will often meet expectations if they’re compatible.

If you are considering the purchase of a stylus pen for your touchscreen device you have probably noticed that there are some models that require charging. You may be wondering why a stylus pen needs to be charged and which models are most popular.

To learn about why stylus pens need to be charged and other helpful information continue reading.

Understanding the Different Types of Stylus Pens

There are generally two types of stylus pens being used in today’s world of touchscreens and smart devices. One stylus pen works with an active tip and the other with a passive tip.

Active tip stylus pens come in two forms. Some have batteries and some are rechargeable. Here we will discuss the rechargeable option. An active stylus pen works electronically to communicate with the touchscreen device.

Active stylus pens have a certain amount of memory capacity for storing information to control different things like:

• Pressure sensitivity settings (detects pressure for various line weights)

• Palm rejection settings (prevents accidental touches from making marks)

• Various eraser settings

Because active stylus pens use electrical components to operate they are generally larger than passive tip stylus pens which are basically just an extension of your finger.

To learn more about charging active tip stylus pens continue reading.

Why Do Active Tip Stylus Pens Need to Be Charged?

An active tip stylus pen needs to be charged for the simple fact that it is an electrical device. Even though it is tiny it still needs to be charged just as any other device using electrical components and batteries would.

The fact that these devices require charging often conjures other questions in people’s minds such as:

• How often do active tip stylus pens need to be charged?

• How long does it take an active tip stylus pen to recharge?

• Do the batteries need to be replaced?

These are all valid questions that need answering and will help you decide if an active tip stylus pen is the best option for you or if you need to go the non-electrical route.

Charging Frequency

The frequency in which an active tip stylus pen requires charging depends entirely upon its user. If you spend a large majority of your day using the stylus it is likely that you will have to recharge it at least once per day to keep it working.

For some who do not spend a lot of time using a stylus, they may get away with only charging it every so often. It truly depends upon usage when it comes to how often they need to be recharged.

Another thing to consider is if you are bad about forgetting to turn the stylus pen off when you are not using it. Doing this will cause you to have to charge it more frequently.

It is recommended that you get into the habit of shutting it off when you set it down even if you just plan on walking away for a few minutes.

Time To Recharge

As for how long it takes to recharge an active tip stylus pen you are looking at an average wait time of up to four hours depending upon the brand you choose to use.

Some brands may only take minutes to fully charge because they use such a small amount of power.

This is where it becomes important to do some research before buying the first stylus pen you come across because many different options offer various settings depending upon how you use the pen.

Battery Replacement

If you choose to purchase an active tip stylus pen that requires recharging when the power is low you generally do not have to worry about replacing any batteries for the life of the pen.

Simply charge it as needed and it will last for a long time as long as you don’t lose it. If you opt for the type of stylus pen that requires batteries it is necessary to replace them every so often.

Fortunately, this style of stylus pen does not use a lot of power so it is not a constant issue that you will have to worry about.

To Charge or Not to Charge – What Works Best for You?

Now that you have a better understanding of how stylus pens work you can make a decision that will be most convenient for you. Choosing a stylus pen that fits into your lifestyle will prevent you from running out of battery power when you need it the most.

If you’re in the market for a tablet stylus, you may have noticed that there is quite a large price range among them. Some styluses are just a few dollars, while others can cost upwards of $100. So, what’s the difference? What justifies that kind of price tag?

In this article, we will cover five reasons why some styluses are more expensive than others. As you read, you’ll learn what predominantly affects the cost of these accessories and whether it is worthwhile for you to invest in the pricier options or stick to a more budget-friendly stylus.

1. Choice of Materials

One of the most influential factors that affects a stylus’ overall cost is the types of materials used in its design.

More expensive styluses will typically utilize higher quality materials, that ensure maximum:

• Flexibility
• Durability
• Ergonomics
• Visual appeal

And this means everything from the stylus’ exterior material to its nib to the wiring and other electronic components inside.

An easy example would be to compare stylus housing materials. Cheap styluses tend to use inexpensive materials like low quality plastics and rubber that will ensure a sub $10 price tag, but probably won’t last long or be overly comfortable to use.

Comparatively, more expensive styluses will use more stainless steel, aluminum, or high-quality rubber to guarantee everything housed inside the stylus is safe without reducing the tools ergonomics.

2. Included Features

Another big contributing factor of why certain styluses seem to cost so much is that, once you look at their product description, you’ll notice most come with a long list of additional features to improve your overall experience. A lot of cheap styluses are nothing more than passive, pen-like tools made of cheap plastic with a rubber tip. The only thing they can do is help you interact with a capacitive screen.

Once you start upgrading to more expensive styluses, you’ll find they’re equipped with top-notch features, such as:

• Palm rejection
• Double tap
• Pressure sensitivity
• Tilt sensitivity
• Access buttons

These features allow more expensive styluses to outperform their budget-friendly competitors exponentially, especially when it comes to precision and convenience.

Of course, the electrical components and software that make these features possible are also more expensive to produce. Not just in the materials themselves, but in the time and effort it took for developers to research and implement them.

3. Active vs. Passive

There are two layers to this reason. The first is the overall design that a stylus utilizes in order to function, and then second is the additional internal and external designs that are implemented to support the first and enhance the product as a whole.

Styluses are predominantly split into one of two categories when it comes to overall internal design: active or passive.

A passive stylus contains no electronics whatsoever and relies on the digitizer in the device it’s being used with to interpret its movements. An active stylus, on the other hand, contains internal electrical components that allow the stylus to communicate with its paired device more effectively.

People rarely opt for a passive stylus unless they’re really in a financial pinch due to their sub-par performance. This is why most styluses are active, which are much more expensive to create because of those internal components.

4. Stylus Type/Compatibility

If you were to compare a selection of active styluses, you’d realize that there is still a noticeable range in their cost. Another reason for this has to do with the stylus type.

Active styluses tend to fall within one of three categories that dictates their compatibility. These include:

• Wacom
• Capacitive
• Bluetooth

Of these designs, Wacom-compatible styluses are typically the most expensive for various reasons including their limited competition as a graphics tablet company, their innovative features, and their overall superb design permitting nearly unmatched performance.

Comparatively, most cheap styluses are compatible with capacitive touchscreens because they don’t require any special features or internal components. The most notable exception to this rule is styluses created by Apple, which are some of the most expensive styluses on the market and implement a capacitive design.

Bluetooth-compatible styluses are in the middle of the pack, offering a happy medium between price and features. To be clear, there are some Wacom and capacitive styluses that have Bluetooth features, but this is not integral to their overall functionality.

5. Other Design Factors

Once the aforementioned internal design choices are made, then you can start considering other ones that affect a stylus’ cost.

For instance, a stylus with a sleek and ergonomic design is going to cost more than a basic and straightforward one. This again ties into our previous point on materials used to achieve this goal.

It’s also important to look at the technology used for these devices that might be driving up the price. Apple is always a good example here. The Apple pencil features a myriad of technological wonders, such as nine-axis gyroscope tilt detection technology which helps ensure ultimate precision.

Was this design choice absolutely necessary for the stylus to function? No. But it does guarantee the Apple Pencil outperforms nearly any other stylus on the market, so for some, the additional cost of this technology is justified.

6. Brand Reputation

This isn’t the factor that contributes the most to a styluses overall price, but it certainly affects it to some degree.

Prominent stylus brands, like Apple and Wacom, can charge slightly more for their products simply because of the brand reputation for creating high-quality products that are worth the price tag.

Yes, a significant amount of research and development time, marketing, and other factors went into creating this product that warrants the cost, but these brands can charge a bit more on name alone to ensure a profit because they know people will pay for it.

This largely comes down to consumers trusting the brand enough to feel comfortable investing in their products, even if they’re offered at prices that far exceed competitors.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to such a specialized and niche product like a stylus, there are quite a few factors that contribute to the overall cost. Most of it comes down to the product’s materials, features, and overall design. After you’ve learned the reasons listed here, the next step is to ask yourself whether the pricing of these styluses is justified or if a cheaper option is the best choice for you.

One of the fun things about design is arranging all of the elements in a way that is synergistic and eye-catching. Sometimes, that means using vertical text so that words aren’t stretched across the entirety of the canvas. But how can that be created in Canva?

The easiest way to make vertical text in Canva is to type out the text that is needed, then make adjustments to the text box by squeezing the corners inward to create a skinny, vertical bounding box.

Creating vertical text is a lot easier than it may seem. Keep reading for a quick step-by-step guide on making vertical text in Canva.

Creating Vertical Text in Canva the Easy Way

If you’ve ever seen a design with letters stacked upon each other, you may have thought it was a hassle to get each letter aligned perfectly. While you could type each letter out in its own box and manually arrange them in a vertical manner, there is an easier and faster way to do this.

Vertical text in Canva can be created with the simple use of one text box. Keep reading to learn how.

1. Add Text to Your Canva Artboard

Before you can start making adjustments to your text, you need text to work with in the first place.

To add text to your design:

1. Click on the Text option from the menu on the left-hand side. You will be presented with a sub-menu that includes a search box and several text options.
2. Once you find the text you would like to use, click it, and a text box will appear on your artboard.

When adding your text, try not to use long paragraphs. Vertical text is easiest to read in short phrases or single words. Too many words may cause the text to blend together and be extremely difficult to read.

2. Make Adjustments to the Text Box

Now that you have your text typed out, it’s time to adjust the text box.

To make the text vertical, you will squeeze the box to the point that only one letter can fit on each line:

1. Around your text box, you will see round dots on the corners and a dashed line on the left and right edges.
2. Grab one of those dashed lines and pull it in until the letters stack on top of each other.

You may notice that some of the letters appear squished or even go off the artboard. This is fine and will be addressed in the next step. For now, just focus on the first letter and squeeze the box until that letter stands alone.

3. Make Adjustments to the Text

Now that your text is in a vertical position, text adjustments need to be made. Not all text settings will work in a vertical state. For example, letters with long tails or elaborate scripts can overlap the letters above and below. Text size and space are also important, as they will determine how tall the text box is.

Some of the text adjustments that will need to be made include:

• Text Style
• Size
• Color
• Character Spacing
• Effects

When working with effects, it is best to stay away from shape effects, as these will alter the shape of your text box. Pay attention to certain letters as well, to make sure that they aren’t touching or overlapping with surrounding letters.

4. Arrange the Text Box On the Design

The final step in creating vertical text is to arrange the text box in your design. Because it is in a vertical setting, it has a few more restrictions than horizontal text in terms of where it is placed.

For example, placing a vertical text box in the middle of a design could create a splitting effect. Generally, vertical text is most popular on the left or right edge of a design. However, this is ultimately up to the designer. 

Working With Multiple Vertical Text Boxes In Canva

If you plan on working with a lot of text, it is best to separate each word into its own text box. This makes the text easier to read and allows for more custom editing such as font size, style, color, and placement.

If you would like to move all of these text boxes as one, simply put them in a group. You can do this by holding shift, clicking each text box, and then clicking the “Group” button at the top.

Final Thoughts

Vertical text can add a lot to a design, and it doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process. Hopefully, you can now create vertical text in Canva with ease.