The Inkplate 13SPECTRA library is finished, and we’ve already started making improvements!
When we were at LOPEC 2026, we noticed the same 13" Spectra 6 panels at e-Ink’s booth in a photo frame application. We definitely noticed a some difference between the images shown on our Inkplate and on e-Ink’s photo frames, which just looked more vibrant and lifelike.
We thus began a side quest to improve the display of images on Inkplate 13SPECTRA, as we didn’t want to leave out any possible optimizations we could add!
New Dithering Algorithm
The new dithering kernel we’ll be using by default is a "Reduced Diffusion" kernel, which tames the dithering process a bit and lets the colors really shine through. Have a look!
Here’s an ultra close-up for your viewing pleasure:
As you can see, it lets the strong pigments of the Spectra 6 panel do their thing with less restriction. If you already liked how the images on Inkplate 13SPECTRA looked in the video trailer and Crowd Supply campaign preview, all we can say is, they’re going to look even better.
Can I Use a Custom Dithering Kernel?
Yes, of course! They are easily selectable and definable in the Inkplate library. The source code for this one, and many other dither kernels we’ve prepared, can be found in our GitHub repo.
On Software Updates
We always love opportunities to push and improve an existing product with a library update, new feature, or new external tool. In 2026, we’re committed to creating major updates and overhauls for our companion tools/apps, including:
- Inkplate Image Converter
- Soldered MicroPython VS Code extension
- A "sketch uploader" of sorts for Inkplate, which will let you configure and use the device without having to install Arduino.
Do you have any ideas on accompanying software or tools you might want to use with Inkplate? Feel free to let us know. We love the feedback!
That’s it for week two. Keep following us to see more exciting features and implementations for Inkplate 13SPECTRA!