It’s another back-to-school season again. And this time, it's more than just new textbooks and backpacks. There's more. With technology in the picture, there are several other things to consider when preparing for back-to- school. The truth is iPads are almost replacing a physical book for note-taking and other creative tasks, it is important you know how to use your stylus to get the most advantage out of it.
Are you sketching a poster for your science assignment or drawing a logo for your favourite club? Your iPads and stylus are more than just a gadget – they are powerful tools to help your learning and productivity. So, you ask how do I purchase a stylus within my budget? Well, it's as simple as you can think of. Walk with us.
From features to look out for to the best student setups and top styluses like the ESR iPad stylus pen that can do just about everything (without the Apple Pencil price tag), here's what you need to know.
Why a stylus is a must-have for school DIY and creative projects
From posters to presentations: stylus power in action
Students everywhere are using styluses to do way more than just write notes. Think custom posters for school clubs, animated class projects, digital mind maps, and slick slideshows. It’s faster than scanning paper drawings, cleaner than using glue sticks, and way easier to fix mistakes when your art is all digital.
Digital DIY projects are taking over classrooms now
As technology advances, we find more instances of schools settling for tablets and learning that are project-based. The effect of which is more creative and fun assignments especially for the art classes. Do you know that owning a stylus can be the game changer for you especially for your presentations or diagrams? Even better, you can choose to create a digital scrapbook for your assignments. It’s like bringing a craft box to class, minus the mess.
Choosing the right stylus for your schoolwork and creative vibes
What to look for in a stylus
If you’re trying to find the perfect stylus for school, here’s what really matters:
• Pressure sensitivity: If you do more drawing or calligraphy writing, you'd notice the big difference in pressure with using this stylus.
• Palm rejection: Those tiny marks that stay on your screen when your hands mistakenly touch the screen won't be there anymore.
• Smooth performance: The stylus feels like a real pen so you enjoy a smooth experience while using it.
• Tilt support lets you shade and add depth to your sketches and headings
Best apps for stylus projects in 2025
Top digital note apps that let you doodle
We are all familiar with popular apps such as Good notes and Notability that supports digital notes. You can write, draw, highlight and even organize all your items in one place. And just so you know, they have smart features that let you do things like search handwriting for a smooth studying experience or even use flashcards.
Apps you need for designing posters and visual projects
If you’re into creating things like flyers, posters, or even digital art for class projects, try Procreate or Concepts. Procreate is perfect for detailed artwork and even animations. Concepts are awesome for mapping out ideas and sketching on an endless canvas. You can also use Canva, which now works great with styluses for drag-and-drop design magic.
Apple Pencil vs. ESR Stylus: Which is a better option?
One thing is certain about the Apple Pencil, and there's no denying. It's how cool and responsive they are. They work smoothly with iPads. But it’s also expensive. For students who don’t want to spend a ton, the ESR iPad stylus pen is a fantastic Apple Pencil alternative. It has palm rejection, great battery life, tilt support for shading, and even attaches magnetically to your iPad. The best part? It’s just for a little price.
Add your own style: How to customize your stylus
Stylus accessories that make it yours
If you want your stylus to stand out then you must be ready to switch things up. For instance, you can choose to add a colour coded silicone grip or even use stickers to decorate it. Also, you can add colorful name labels so your stylus doesn't get lost. Even better, you can match colors for both your iPads and your sleeves to give it a cool appearance.
Matching it with the perfect iPad case
An iPad case with a stylus holder is a total game-changer. Not only does it protect your tablet, but it also keeps your stylus safe and always within reach. ESR’s stylus-friendly iPad cases come in trendy colors and even include matching accessories, which is a win if you love organized, color-coded gear.
Real school setups that make stylus use shine
Meet Frank: A middle school artist who swears by ESR
Frank uses an ESR stylus for all his school art projects. He’s big on using layers in Procreate – blue for sketches, red for teacher notes, black for final art. Because the ESR stylus supports tilt and shading, it gives his comics and posters a cool textured look.
Bonus: He doesn’t stress if it gets borrowed or lost. It’s affordable enough to replace without a meltdown.
Meet Keisha: A High Schooler Who’s All About Note-Taking
Keisha’s go-to setup includes an Apple Pencil, a matte screen protector, and the Notability app. She takes super clean, organized notes and exports them as PDFs for easy sharing with classmates. But even she keeps a backup ESR stylus in her pencil pouch just in case her main one runs out of charge during an exam.
Where to get a great stylus without spending a fortune
ESR Stylus: Smart, affordable, and student-friendly
If you want solid performance without spending Apple-level cash, ESR styluses are your best bet. They offer everything most students need from smooth writing, pressure sensitivity, and long battery life. Also, their tips are cheap and easy to replace, which is super convenient during exam season or art projects.
Score deals with back-to-school sales
Good news for you. Brands like ESR usually drop awesome student discounts during the back-to-school season. We advise you to be on the lookout for bundle deals. With this, you may be lucky to get a screen protector alongside a stylus. Also, you can search different e-commerce websites for discount codes and who knows, you may be lucky to enjoy discounts up to $20. Just don’t wait too long because these deals go fast once school starts.
At the end of the day, your iPad stylus should work as hard as you do. Whatever task you're doing, there is always a stylus to cater to your needs. It helps refine your presentation and brings out the creativity in you.
To top it all, options like the ESR iPad stylus pen gives you that affordable price so you don't have to sweat it off before you buy a decent pen. Feel free to personalize your setup and make this back-to-school a memorable one.
You may also like to read:
Apple Pencil vs. Non-Apple Stylus: Which Reigns Supreme?
iPad Stylus Secrets: Boost Creativity with Free AI Tools
Apple Pencil Not Connecting? Fix It in 60 Seconds with These 3 Genius Hacks!
