Currently available on iOS for Plus and Pro users on Notability Cloud.
The Calligraphy pen draws strokes that shift between thick and thin as you write, the way a flat nib does. Use it for lettering, titles, and anything else you want to stand out.
Find the Calligraphy pen
- Open a note and look for the fountain pen nib icon in the toolbar. On iPhone, expand the toolbar if you don't see it.
- Tap the tool once to select it.
- Tap it again to open its options.
To keep it within reach, drag the tool into your primary toolbar.
Set the nib angle
The angle slider controls which direction your nib faces, which decides where your strokes are thick and where they're thin.
- 0° holds the nib flat across the page, so vertical downstrokes come out at their widest.
- 30° and 45° are two common calligraphy angles for right-handed writing.
- Negative angles tilt the nib the other way, for left-handed writing.
The preview next to the slider rotates as you drag, so you can see the nib angle before you write.
Writing with Apple Pencil Pro
If you're using Apple Pencil Pro, the nib angle follows how you're holding the pencil. Roll the barrel and the nib rolls with it.
Hovering above the page previews the angle before your pencil touches the canvas. The angle is set the moment your stroke begins and stays constant for the rest of that stroke.
Notability detects Apple Pencil Pro on your first hover, stroke, or squeeze. Once it does, a Lock angle switch appears in the pen options. Turn it on to ignore barrel roll and use the angle from the slider instead. While Lock angle is off, the slider stays dimmed because barrel roll is setting the angle for you.
The Calligraphy pen is also available from the Apple Pencil Pro squeeze menu.
Stabilization
Turn on Stabilization to smooth out small jitters as you write. Turn it off if you'd rather your strokes track your hand exactly.
Calligraphy notes on Android and the web
You can create calligraphy strokes on iPhone and iPad. Notes containing those strokes sync and open on Android and the web, and they will render as regular ink for now.
Troubleshooting
The Calligraphy pen isn't in my toolbar.
Make sure you're using version 16.9 or higher of Notability for iOS. If the tool still isn't there, check that it hasn't been moved to a secondary toolbar page. You can rearrange your tools in toolbar settings.
The angle slider is dimmed.
Your Apple Pencil Pro is setting the angle through barrel roll. Turn on Lock angle to control it with the slider instead.
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