Affinity: Download .aftemplate
Photoshop (PSD export; compatibility not guaranteed): Download .psd
Other: Download .png
Supernote A6X2 Nomad: Download .pdf
Note: I am using Affinity Publisher (similar to Adobe InDesign) as my template creation software and the examples are for the Supernote A6X2 Nomad, but most of the concepts can be applied to other programs and devices as well.
This tutorial is for those who know their way around the basics of some design software of their choice, but do not know how to fit their designs to the Supernote device format, to make it really feel like it's made for the Supernote.
The proper resolution will ensure that the final template looks crisp and fits the screen perfectly, without the need for any artificial padding.
Setting the correct DPI will additionally ensure that when you use measurements in mm/inches in the document, that they will end up showing in the correct size on your Supernote.
For the Nomad, this means setting the pixel resolution to 1404x1872 and the DPI to 300.
Many programs will also allow you to save this setup as a preset so you can get started faster on your next template.
You can just draw a draft on a blank page on your Supernote itself.
It's quick, easy, convenient, and allows you to get a first impression for the look and feel and size of your design.
You can use the marker tool to draft colored areas. And if you need straight lines and clean shapes, just use a physical ruler! You can also easily copy/paste pages to create multiple variations, which naturally turns your note into a design log over time.
Once you're happy, you can export that page as PNG and transfer it to your template creation device with any of the multiple file transfer options that the Supernote provides.
Then, you can import it to your design software and set it as a background layer to trace it.
Do you see how different the pure template looks on the PC screen compared to on the Supernote?
There is a lot less contrast because the white point is much darker.
The bezels of the device also create space similar to what margins would do, so you probably need less margins on the template than you might think.
Fonts also have a totally different vibe on an e-ink device.
And lastly, seeing the template framed by the device and with a pen for scale gives you a much better impression of the real effective size of the template.
In order to get a good-looking and well-fitting design, it is important to regularly check what it looks like on the target device.
One way to do so without sending it to the actual device is using a mockup like in the image above.
You fit your template on top of an image of a blank Supernote screen and choose the "Multiply" blend mode to mimic the behavior of ink on paper (or e-ink screen).
If your software supports it, you can directly place your template's project file into your mockup so that when you tweak your template, it automatically updates to reflect the latest changes.
In Affinity, these are called linked or embedded documents, in Adobe Photoshop, it's a Smart Object.
If you choose the .aftemplate or .psd download from above, it should complain about a missing linked document and allow you to select your own template to replace it.