As a student with low vision and dysgraphia, I love using my iPad along with an Apple Pencil to help with writing tasks, drawing, and completing assignments for my classes, especially since my handwriting is neater on an iPad compared to paper. Because the white Apple Pencil often blends into other white surfaces like tables or counters, I started looking into Apple Pencil customizations for writing with low vision to make it easier to locate my stylus, and have since used several of these options to customize Apple Pencil for other students and clients with low vision as well. Here is a list of ways to customize Apple Pencil for low vision and other Apple Pencil customizations for writing, which can make it easier to see and easier to write with.
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Wrap an Apple Pencil in washi tape to provide additional contrast
Washi tape is a type of thin paper masking tape with a light adhesive, which can be applied to many surfaces without leaving a sticky residue. Washi tape is available in several colors and patterns and usually has a matte surface, making it a fun and easy way to decorate items. I usually find it on the craft aisle at stores like Target or online.
Adding colored washi tape to the top of the Apple Pencil can provide additional contrast and break up the all-white design. This makes it easier to locate the white stylus on a white surface without damaging the device or affecting the magnetic charging functionality. Some users choose to wrap their entire Apple Pencil in washi tape, while others just add a design on part of the stylus— one student I worked with wrapped the entire body of their Apple Pencil in washi tape (minus the tip and top eraser), and would remove and replace the tape every two months or so with a new design.
Instead of washi tape, another potential option is to use gaffer tape, which is solid colored and is made of cotton. It is wider than washi tape, and also does not affect the charging capabilities.
Related links
Add a silicone cover for Apple Pencil
The smooth design of the Apple Pencil can feel a bit slippery and make the stylus harder to grasp. One strategy I have used to make Apple Pencil easier to grip is a silicone cover or silicone protective sleeve, which usually costs between $6 and $10 USD and comes in multiple colors. The thinner silicone covers do not affect the magnetic charging for the 2nd generation pencil, and can be used to partially or fully cover the body of the stylus (minus the tip).
In full transparency, I had a lot of trouble sliding an Apple Pencil into a silicone sleeve, and would not expect a user with decreased grip strength to be able to apply the cover by themselves without help.
Related links
Choose a custom wrap or skin to add more color and contrast
Another idea for customizing Apple Pencil is to add a vinyl wrap or skin, which adheres to the stylus and adds a custom color or design. This changes the color of the Apple Pencil, which can help with improving contrast (no losing the white stylus on a white table) and providing additional options for personalization, along with decreasing the “slippery” feeling of the stylus. I started using an Apple Pencil wrap from SlickWraps in early 2025 that mimics the appearance of an actual yellow pencil with a pink eraser, though there are hundreds of other colors and designs users can choose from. One of my other friends has an Apple Pencil skin that is a vibrant red color.
I purchased a pack of five wraps for about $16 USD with shipping, and the application process took about fifteen minutes, which included cleaning the Apple Pencil and placing it on a flat surface while applying the sticker.
Related links
- SlickWraps website
- Highlighting Information With Low Vision
- How I Manage Dysgraphia In Online Classes
Switch out the default Apple Pencil tip for another color
Instead of having a white stylus tip, there are several Apple Pencil tips available from other companies that offer interchangeable tips in a variety of colors, textures, and thicknesses. The tips of the Apple Pencil can be swapped out by twisting the pencil tip counterclockwise, placing the new tip, and then twisting the new tip clockwise to hold it in place. The different pen tips can mimic writing with different tools— for example, a fuzzy tip can mimic a paintbrush or marker, while a silicone tip can mimic a soft pencil. Many of the students I have worked with prefer a colored textured silicone tip that mimics a felt-tip marker and does not make loud tapping noises on the screen. Customizable Apple Pencil tips can range in cost from $30-$60 USD and are often marketed to artists.
Some custom Apple Pencil tips are designed to be used with screen protectors or covers. Screen protectors can also come in different colors, textures, and thicknesses, including options that mimic the texture of writing on paper. I’ve linked a post from Perkins School for the Blind and their Paths to Technology microsite that shares an example of how a student could use a screen protector and custom Apple Pencil tip.
Related links
- Writing Aids For Low Vision: My Personal Superlatives
- Tips For Creating Art For Visually Impaired Friends
- From Slip-and-Slide to Traction: Tools for Supporting Writing with an iPad and Apple Pencil | Paths to Technology
Purchase a custom Apple Pencil with a colorful design
Instead of customizing an existing Apple Pencil, one of my friends purchased a customized Apple Pencil from a company called ColorWare, which also has a colored tip. The design is painted onto the Apple Pencil instead of using stickers, so it doesn’t peel off or need to be replaced like a sticker might. This option is more expensive than others on the list (about $215 USD) because it includes the price of an Apple Pencil, unlike the other options that are designed to be used with an existing device.
Related links
- ColorWare website
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Covers and Cases
Use ergonomic grips when holding the stylus (pencil)
One strategy that can be helpful for users with dysgraphia or that have trouble holding the stylus is to add ergonomic grips to the Apple Pencil. These can be grips designed for traditional pens or pencils that are a similar size, or specialty designs for the Apple Pencil that are available in different materials, sizes, colors, and textures. Some grips even have a flat side so that they don’t have to be removed when charging the Apple Pencil.
Related links
- Assistive Technology For Dysgraphia
- Digital Rulers For Dysgraphia and Low Vision
- Dysgraphia Accommodations In The Classroom
Place a topper or pencil cap on the Apple Pencil
One student I worked with benefitted from having a pencil topper or pencil cap on the end of their Apple Pencil to make it easier to locate and identify— they use the Apple Pencil to select icons on their iPad Home Screen. This is especially helpful for the 1st generation Apple Pencil because there is a cap on the end of the device, and items like silicone caps can keep the stylus from rolling off of a desk. The student I worked with had a small cap in the shape of a cow placed on top, while another student had an oversized clip attached to their Apple Pencil to make it easier to identify. Both were purchased from Etsy.
Related links
- How To Create Custom iOS Icons and Custom Home Screen Designs
- How To Organize Apps On iPad With Low Vision
- Choosing Device Wallpapers and Backgrounds With Low Vision
More resources for Apple Pencil customizations and low vision
- Wondering how I use an Apple Pencil as a student with low vision and dysgraphia? Check out my post How I Use The Apple Pencil With Low Vision
- Even though I use an Apple Pencil for several handwriting tasks, I still prefer typing on a keyboard whenever possible. Learn how to choose a keyboard at Choosing An iPad Keyboard For Low Vision
- Using the Apple Pencil has helped me to improve my handwriting— I don’t use a “real” pencil because I can’t see the gray pencil lead very well. I share more about handwriting in How I Use Technology To Improve Handwriting and Reading Handwriting With Assistive Technology
Published May 19, 2025. Updated May 2025