Big E ink screens turn ordinary Raspberry Pi builds into low-power dashboards, shelf labels, and quiet displays that keep showing their content long after the power drops. Makers, hobbyists, and small-business owners all hit the same wall: finding the right size, controller compatibility, and refresh behavior for the project on the bench. I put together this roundup to make that decision easier, covering the biggest panels plus the screen-printing supplies that pair naturally with DIY fabrication work.
Your Options, Compared
Rapid Cure Black Plastisol Ink (1 Pint)
Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink Energy Surge (4-Pack)
Waveshare 2.13inch E-Ink Display HAT V4 (250×122)
Waveshare 2.7inch E-Ink Display HAT (264×176)
Ecotex Plastisol Press Wash (1 Gallon)
Waveshare 2.13inch E-Ink Display HAT V4 for Pi
Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink Starter Set (6 Colors)
Waveshare 2.13inch E-Ink Display HAT V4 (3.3V/5V)
Ecotex AP Blue Pre-Sensitized Photo Emulsion (1 Pint)
Waveshare 7.5inch E-Ink Display HAT (800×480)
A Closer Look At Each Pick
I look at plastisol ink as the workhorse of garment printing, and this Rapid Cure black sits in that practical zone where hobbyists and small shops both feel comfortable. It belongs to the screen-printing supply side of this roundup, which matters for anyone printing custom enclosures, instruction cards, or fabric panels for larger E ink builds.
The headline trait is a lower cure threshold, which shortens flash times and reduces the chance of scorching delicate blanks. For a maker running a hobby heat press in a converted garage, that margin of error is genuinely useful. It also handles a wide range of textiles, so the same jar covers t-shirts, totes, and lighter fabrics without constant color changes.
A Few Strong Suits
- Cures at a lower temperature than typical plastisol inks, easing press settings.
- Stays workable across cotton, blends, and lighter fabrics for versatile runs.
- One-pint size suits short apparel runs without committing to a gallon.
- Long shelf life keeps the jar usable across intermittent weekend projects.
Things To Consider
- Black only, so multi-color prints need additional jars from the same family.
- Cleanup typically requires a dedicated press wash like the Ecotex gallon further down this list.
Made For
Garment printers who want forgiving cure behavior on a hobby heat press.
Consider Something Else When
Step up to the Speedball Energy Surge 4-Pack if you need vibrant specialty colors for art prints instead of a single base black.
The Energy Surge set leans into the brighter side of screen printing, with four bold 4-ounce jars aimed at posters, apparel accents, and craft prints that need to pop. Compared to the single-pint Rapid Cure black above, this pack trades garment-shop utility for a more artistic palette.
I find Speedball fabric inks flow well off the squeegee and sit cleanly on cotton, blends, paper, and cardboard, which gives crafters room to experiment across substrates. The water-based formula cleans up without harsh solvents, so a kitchen-table setup stays livable. Heat-setting with an iron or press locks the color into fabric for repeated washes.
Useful Highlights
- Four coordinated colors invite multi-layer prints without buying single jars.
- Works on fabric, paper, and cardboard for mixed-media projects.
- Water-based cleanup keeps small studios and home setups manageable.
- Soft hand on fabric means prints feel comfortable against the skin.
Trade Offs
- Smaller 4-ounce jars dry out faster once opened, so plan usage accordingly.
- Not formulated for nylon and other tricky synthetics without testing first.
Right Fit For
Printers building art runs, posters, or apparel accents who want bold colors in one box.
Skip It When
Grab the Speedball 6-Color Starter Set below if you need a balanced primary palette instead of the brighter Energy Surge tones.
This tiny Waveshare HAT sits at the small end of the biggest e ink screens category, which sounds contradictory until you remember that even compact panels still matter for status readouts. The 250×122 resolution is enough for two or three lines of text or a small graphic badge.
I see this size working well in desk-projects like build-status indicators, weather strips, and Pi-powered badges that sit next to a workstation. The HAT lands directly on a Raspberry Pi GPIO header (the 40-pin connector standard) and supports a long list of boards from Pi 5 all the way back to early Zero models, plus the Jetson Nano.
What Earns Its Place
- Compact 2.13-inch panel fits wearables, badge builds, and tight enclosures.
- Partial refresh (updating only changed pixels instead of the whole screen) keeps updates snappy.
- SPI interface (a simple serial protocol used to talk to the screen) speaks to nearly every recent Pi.
- Retains the last image without power, so static displays draw nothing at idle.
Points To Keep In Mind
- Limited resolution constrains graphics-heavy dashboards.
- Full refreshes take noticeable seconds, which can interrupt quick updates.
Key Specs
Who It Suits Best
Pi builders who want a low-power status display or wearable badge panel.
Look Elsewhere When
Pick the Waveshare 7.5-inch panel later in this list if you need a wall-sized dashboard with much higher resolution.
The 2.7-inch HAT steps up to a more dashboard-friendly resolution and adds small physical touches that simplify prototyping. Versus the 2.13-inch panel above, this one trades a slightly larger footprint for built-in buttons and broader microcontroller compatibility.
Four onboard keys give makers hardware inputs without soldering extra switches, which I find useful for menu navigation in shelf-label projects. The onboard voltage translator accepts both 3.3V and 5V logic levels, so the same panel can pair with a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino-class board without a level shifter (a small adapter that prevents mismatched voltages from damaging components).
Points In Its Favor
- 264×176 resolution fits multi-line text and small charts comfortably.
- Four onboard keys remove the need for extra button wiring.
- Voltage translator accepts 3.3V and 5V boards in one design.
- Wide viewing angle suits shelf-edge label scenarios.
Minor Gripes
- Full refresh takes several seconds, which is slow for fast-changing data.
- Two-color only, so charts and dashboards stay grayscale.
At A Glance
Best Suited To
Makers building shelf labels, gauges, or compact dashboards with physical input buttons.
Another Choice May Suit
Choose the Waveshare 7.5-inch e-Paper HAT if you want significantly more screen real estate for wall displays.
Press wash rarely gets exciting coverage, but anyone running plastisol ink regularly knows it pulls serious weight behind the scenes. This Ecotex gallon is sized for active shops that cycle colors or run multiple screens per day.
Where the Rapid Cure black ink above creates prints, this wash breaks them down for color changes and end-of-day cleanup. It handles plastisol, oil-based paints, acrylics, and UV ink, so a single jug covers most studio messes without juggling separate solvents.
The Value In It
- One-gallon volume lowers cost-per-use for frequent color changes.
- Works across plastisol, oil-based, acrylic, and UV inks.
- Cuts dried ink from screens, squeegees, and press hardware.
- Compatible with emulsion systems like the Ecotex AP Blue later in this list.
Worth Noting
- Bulk size means more storage space and heavier handling.
- Ventilation matters during use, so a shop-style workspace is helpful.
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Active print shops and serious hobbyists who change ink colors often.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Pick the Ecotex AP Blue emulsion below if your priority is laying down clean stencils rather than cleaning up between runs.
This listing is essentially a sibling panel to the 2.13-inch HAT earlier, with the same 250×122 resolution and partial-refresh behavior. The difference is the supported board list, which extends further into the Pico microcontroller family (Raspberry Pi’s tiny, low-cost microcontroller boards).
For someone prototyping with both full-size Pis and Pico boards, that broad compatibility removes the need to stock multiple screens. The V4 driver board adds fast-refresh demo code, which speeds up iteration during initial development.
What Works In Its Favor
- Works across Pi 5, Pi 4B, Pi 3B, Zero line, and Pico boards.
- V4 driver includes fast-refresh demo for quicker prototyping.
- Partial refresh keeps minor updates from full-screen flashes.
- No backlight keeps total power draw near zero when idle.
Possible Compromises
- Resolution is the same modest 250×122 as the other 2.13-inch HAT.
- Library setup can take time for first-time Pi display users.
Who Will Love This
Hobbyists who rotate between multiple Pi and Pico boards for different builds.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Choose the 2.7-inch HAT above if you want a larger canvas and onboard buttons in the same compact footprint.
The 6-color starter set from Speedball is the package I recommend most often to first-time printers. It bundles black, red, blue, white, green, and yellow in 4-ounce jars, covering the basic palette needed for most school and home projects.
Water-based cleanup and broad fabric compatibility make this a forgiving kit for newcomers. Compare that to the Rapid Cure plastisol black earlier in this list, which targets garment shops with higher cure temperatures and solvent cleanup, and the contrast in audience is clear.
Practical Pluses
- Six primary colors cover most introductory print designs.
- Water-based formula cleans up without harsh solvents.
- Adheres to cotton, polyester, blends, linen, and rayon.
- Heat-setting locks prints into fabric for repeated wash cycles.
Some Limits To Know
- Not suited for nylon without additional additives.
- Smaller jars mean high-volume shops will burn through quickly.
The Right Fit
Beginners learning screen printing on apparel, paper, or cardboard.
Swap It Out When
Move to the Speedball Energy Surge 4-Pack earlier if you want bolder specialty tones rather than classic primary colors.
This third 2.13-inch variant emphasizes voltage flexibility, accepting both 3.3V and 5V inputs through the onboard translator. In practice that means the same panel can drop onto a Raspberry Pi or a 5V Arduino-style board without rewiring.
For mixed workshops with different microcontroller families, that flexibility removes a small but recurring headache. The 250×122 resolution and partial-refresh behavior match the other 2.13-inch panels in this roundup, so the trade-off comes down to voltage tolerance rather than visual difference.
Key Advantages
- Dual-voltage support suits Pi and Arduino-class boards equally.
- Partial refresh keeps small updates quick and energy-light.
- Compact size suits wearables and badges where space is tight.
- Retains last image when powered off, so no boot flicker.
What To Weigh
- Low resolution caps graphics complexity compared to bigger panels.
- Full refresh times feel long for fast-changing data feeds.
Feature Snapshot
Perfect Match For
Makers using both Pi and 5V microcontroller boards in mixed projects.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
The 7.5-inch Waveshare HAT below fits better for wall-sized information displays.
Photo emulsion is what turns a blank screen into a usable stencil, and this pre-sensitized pint keeps that step approachable. AP Blue comes ready to coat, so there’s no mixing diazo (a light-sensitive powder that traditionally gets blended into emulsion before use) into the base.
That convenience pairs nicely with the plastisol inks earlier in this roundup, since the emulsion is fully compatible with plastisol and UV ink systems. For hobbyists building custom enclosures or fabric labels for their E ink builds, this emulsion closes the stencil loop.
What Stands Out
- Pre-sensitized formula skips the diazo mixing step.
- Compatible with plastisol and UV ink systems.
- Pint size suits small studios and weekend crafters.
- Works with standard emulsion remover for re-coating screens.
Honest Caveats
- Requires controlled exposure to UV light for proper stencil curing.
Built With In Mind
Crafters producing custom stencils for small apparel or paper runs.
Not Your Match When
Pick the Ecotex press wash above if your studio priority is fast ink cleanup rather than stencil prep.
This 7.5-inch panel earns its place at the top of the biggest e ink screens category, with 800×480 resolution that finally feels roomy enough for full dashboards. Where the 2.13-inch panels above handle a line or two of text, this one fits schedules, charts, and multi-column readouts.
It uses the same 40-pin Raspberry Pi GPIO header as the smaller Waveshare HATs, so installation follows the same steps. The panel ships without a backlight, which is the whole appeal: power draws almost nothing once an image is rendered, and the display stays readable in bright rooms.
Why It Works Well
- 800×480 resolution fits wall-style dashboards and signage.
- Wide viewing angle suits mounted displays in shared spaces.
- Standard Raspberry Pi 40-pin GPIO header for direct mounting.
- Retains last image without continuous power draw.
A Few Limitations
- Full refresh times are noticeably longer than the smaller panels.
- Larger footprint demands more enclosure planning.
Feature Rundown
Who Should Grab It
Makers building wall-mounted dashboards, room signage, or schedule displays.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The 2.7-inch Waveshare HAT earlier works better when you need a compact shelf-label panel instead of a wall display.
Picking the Right Panel and Supplies for Your Build
Matching Screen Size to Use Case
Panel size drives the entire project. A 2.13-inch HAT covers status badges, compact indicators, and wearables where space is tight, while a 2.7-inch panel adds room for short text and small charts with the bonus of onboard buttons. The 7.5-inch panel is the only one in this lineup that genuinely behaves like a wall display, fitting schedules and dashboards that need to be readable from a distance.
Checking Board Compatibility
Before choosing an E ink display, confirm it supports your specific SBC or microcontroller. The Waveshare HATs in this list cover Pi 5, 4B, 3B+, the Zero family, Pico boards, and Jetson Nano, but partial-refresh support and demo code can vary by panel version. Matching voltage matters too: the dual-voltage 2.13-inch HAT pairs cleanly with both 3.3V and 5V boards.
Understanding Refresh Behavior
E ink screens fall into two refresh categories. Full refresh updates every pixel, which gives a clean image but takes seconds and causes a brief flash. Partial refresh (available on several panels in this roundup) updates only changed pixels, running faster and smoother at the cost of subtle ghosting over time. For slowly-changing dashboards, partial refresh is the better trade-off.
Pairing With Screen-Printing Supplies
For makers who print their own enclosures, instruction cards, or fabric panels, the Rapid Cure plastisol ink, Speedball starter sets, Ecotex press wash, and AP Blue emulsion form a useful supporting kit. Bulk press wash suits shops with frequent color changes, while the pre-sensitized emulsion keeps stencil prep approachable for newcomers.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
A common misstep is choosing a panel purely by size without checking board compatibility or refresh support. Another is underestimating full refresh times, which can disrupt fast-changing data feeds. For screen-printing newcomers, picking a plastisol ink before learning water-based basics often leads to extra cleanup hassle.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Bigger panels cost more because the display itself is larger and resolution scales up. Higher-tier screens also tend to include onboard translators and buttons that simplify wiring, plus broader microcontroller support. The upgrade is worth it for wall-style displays but less justified for simple status readouts, where a 2.13-inch HAT does the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size E ink screen is best for a Raspberry Pi dashboard?
The 7.5-inch 800×480 panel is the natural fit for wall-mounted dashboards, while the 2.7-inch option suits compact shelf displays. Smaller 2.13-inch panels work for status badges and minimal readouts.
Do E ink displays work without a backlight?
Yes. The panels in this roundup use ambient light for readability, similar to printed paper. Removing the backlight is what lets them hold an image without continuous power draw.
Can these screens do partial refresh?
Several Waveshare HATs in this list support partial refresh, which updates only changed pixels. Full refresh is still needed occasionally to clear ghosting.
Is plastisol ink safe for home use?
Plastisol inks require proper ventilation during curing and cleanup, since the press wash contains solvents. Water-based fabric inks, like the Speedball starter sets, are more forgiving for home studios.
What is pre-sensitized emulsion used for?
Pre-sensitized emulsion like Ecotex AP Blue coats screens before exposure to UV light, which hardens the stencil pattern. It removes the need to mix diazo sensitizer manually.
Closing Remarks
The right pick depends on the project sitting on your bench. Compact status readouts call for a 2.13-inch HAT, mid-size dashboards fit the 2.7-inch panel, and wall displays earn their keep with the 7.5-inch option. Pair those choices with the screen-printing supplies that match your workspace, and the build tends to come together without much fuss.
