FAQ

Q: What is Simple Sketchbook? Simple Sketchbook is a natural drawing app built for iPad. It uses Apple's PencilKit engine, so every brush stroke feels as responsive as writing on paper. You can create multiple sketchbooks, fill them with as many pages as you like, and organise your artwork into layers — all stored privately on your device.

Q: Do I need an Apple Pencil? An Apple Pencil is strongly recommended — it unlocks pressure sensitivity, tilt shading, and the natural feel the app is designed around. That said, your finger works too for quick sketches or notes.

Q: What iPad models and iOS versions are supported? Simple Sketchbook requires iPadOS 17 or later. It runs on any iPad that supports iPadOS 17, including iPad (9th generation and later), iPad mini (6th generation and later), iPad Air (4th generation and later), and all iPad Pro models from 2018 onwards.

Q: Is there a phone version? Simple Sketchbook is currently iPad-only. The canvas-focused design and layer panel are built for the larger iPad screen and Apple Pencil workflow.

Q: How many sketchbooks and pages can I create? There is no hard limit. You can create as many sketchbooks as you like, each with as many pages as you need. The only limit is the storage available on your device.

Q: Can I change the paper style after I've started drawing? Yes. Long-press any sketchbook in the bookcase to find "Change Template". You can switch between blank, lined, grid, dotted, and several decorative templates at any time. Your existing drawings are not affected.

Q: Can individual pages have different paper styles? Yes. Each page can have its own paper style independent of the sketchbook default. Tap the template icon while on any page to override just that page.

Q: Can I change the background colour of a page? Yes — you can set a custom background colour per page, great for dark-mode sketching or a coloured paper feel.

Q: Can I rotate the canvas? Yes. The canvas can be rotated so you can draw in whatever orientation feels natural. Paper templates adjust automatically to match.

Q: Does Simple Sketchbook support layers? Yes. Each page has its own independent layer stack. You can add drawing layers and image layers, reorder them, adjust opacity, toggle visibility, and choose from ten blend modes: Normal, Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Darken, Lighten, Colour Burn, and Colour Dodge.

Q: What is an Image Layer? An Image Layer lets you import a photo or picture from your Photos library or Files app onto the canvas. Once imported you can move, scale, and rotate it using touch gestures, then bake it into the canvas when you're happy with the placement. You can re-edit the position at any time — the app stores the original image so re-positioning is always pixel-perfect.

Q: How many layers can I have? There is no enforced layer limit. Performance stays smooth with a reasonable number of layers — typically up to 10–15 per page.

Q: How do I export my artwork? Tap the share/export button while viewing a page. You can export the current page as a high-resolution PNG, share it directly to other apps, or save it to your Photos library or Files.

Q: What is a Timelapse export? Simple Sketchbook can generate a timelapse video of your drawing process as an MP4 file. It replays your brush strokes in order, building up the drawing frame by frame, then holds on the finished result. Great for sharing your process on social media or just watching your art come to life.

Q: What resolution are exported images? Exported PNGs are rendered at 2× the canvas size for crisp, high-quality results that look great on Retina displays and when printed.

Q: How do I back up my sketchbooks? Long-press any sketchbook in the bookcase and choose "Backup". The app creates a .sketchbook file containing all your layers and drawings. You can save it to iCloud Drive, AirDrop it to another device, or store it anywhere via the standard iOS share sheet.

Q: How do I restore a sketchbook from a backup? Tap the download icon in the top-right of the bookcase screen, or open a .sketchbook file from Files or iCloud Drive. The app imports it as a brand new sketchbook — your existing sketchbooks are untouched.

Q: Can I transfer a sketchbook to a new iPad? Yes — use the Backup feature to create a .sketchbook file, transfer it to your new device via AirDrop, iCloud Drive, or cable, then open it on the new device to restore.

Q: Can I lock individual sketchbooks? Yes. Long-press any sketchbook and choose "Lock". Locked sketchbooks require Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode to open. The lock is stored locally — no account or internet connection needed.

Q: Does the app collect my data or send drawings to the cloud? No. Simple Sketchbook stores everything on your device. No drawings, metadata, or personal information are ever uploaded to any server. Please see our Privacy Policy for full details.

Q: Does the app require an internet connection? No. Simple Sketchbook works entirely offline. An internet connection is never required to draw, export, back up, or restore your sketchbooks.

Q: The app feels slow on pages with many strokes — what can I do? Very complex pages with hundreds of dense strokes can slow down rendering on older iPads. Try splitting detailed work across multiple layers, or exporting and continuing on a fresh page if performance becomes a concern.

Q: How do I report a bug or request a feature? Use the feedback option in the app settings, or contact us via the support link on the App Store page. We read every message and appreciate your feedback.