History of E-Ink Digital Art Frames
Early Inspiration (2000s) – E Ink’s Birth and First Uses
E Ink or E-Paper was invented at MIT in the late 1990s (later commercialized by E Ink Corporation in 1997). Its first major application was eReaders like the Amazon Kindle, thanks to its paper-like readability and low power consumption.
During this time, digital picture frames using LCDs began to appear, but they were power-hungry and always needed to be plugged in. While people loved the idea of dynamic art displays, traditional LCDs weren’t ideal for minimalist or power-efficient decor—enter e-ink.
Niche and Experimental Frames (2010–2015)
In the early 2010s, some DIY enthusiasts and early adopters began using small ePaper displays (like those from Pervasive Displays or Waveshare) to create custom digital frames. These were typically black-and-white, used for line drawings or comics, and updated via Raspberry Pi or Arduino.
Projects like:
- Framed 2.0 (2014 Kickstarter) tried using e-ink for art but pivoted to high-end LCD.
- Kindle hacks let people display static images or art on old Kindle screens.
These were creative but limited, due to small screen sizes, low resolution, and lack of color.
Commercial Emergence (2016–2020)
As E Ink technology improved, a few startups began releasing dedicated e-ink digital art frames, emphasizing minimalism, aesthetic calmness, and zero light pollution. Key players included:
- Modos Paper Monitor – focused on productivity and code/art display
- Visionect / Joan – used e-ink for signage but inspired display ideas
- Framestation, Inkplate – DIY-friendly open-source displays
Still, most were DIY or commercial signage rather than high-resolution color frames for digital fine art.
Breakthroughs with Color E Ink (2020–2023)
The launch of E Ink Kaleido (color filter) and Spectra (multi-color particles) marked a turning point. These allowed for limited color digital art, though still with lower saturation than LCDs.
Now, new products like:
- Lemur Ink – aimed at artists and collectors
- Color e-ink photo frames from China (Alibaba, Waveshare panels)
- QuirkLogic and Mudita – focused on lifestyle calmness and intentional display
They emphasized ultra-low power, eco-friendliness, and aesthetic quietness, aligning with modern interior design and wellness trends.
Spectra 6 and the Future (2024+)
With E Ink Spectra 6 in 2023–2024, digital art frames can now display six vivid colors (including blue and green) with high contrast (30:1) and resolutions up to 200 PPI.
This enables:
- Larger frame sizes (up to 75”)
- Museum-quality visuals
- Ultra-low power “always-on” displays
- Integration with NFT galleries and generative art
Startups and artists are now exploring connected art platforms, where owners can stream curated artworks or generative visuals to their frame via Wi-Fi or blockchain wallets.
What is E-Ink Spectra 6
E Ink Spectra 6 is the latest generation of color electronic paper (ePaper) display technology developed by E Ink Corporation, designed specifically for retail signage, digital art, and low-power displays. It represents a major leap forward in color richness, contrast, and resolution compared to previous e-ink color technologies.
Key Features of E-Ink Spectra 6
Feature Details
🖍️ Color Range Six pigments: black, white, red, yellow, blue, and green
🌈 Color Accuracy Capable of displaying over 60,000 colors via advanced dithering
📐 Resolution Up to 200 PPI (pixels per inch) for detailed, crisp images
🌓 Contrast Ratio Up to 30:1 — much higher than previous color e-ink generations
⚡ Power Usage No power required to retain an image (bi-stable); updates use power
🔋 Battery Life Can last months to years on a single charge depending on usage
🖥️ Sizes Available Ranges from 4″ to 75″ — popular sizes include 7.3″, 13.3″, 25.3″
🧩 Interface Options SPI, USB, BLE, or Wi-Fi depending on integration hardware
E Ink Spectra 6 is the most vibrant, color-accurate, and power-efficient ePaper technology available for static displays. It’s opening new doors in digital art, signage, and ambient visual tech—where beauty meets sustainability.
How E-ink Spectra 6 works
E Ink Spectra 6 uses microcapsules filled with charged color particles suspended in fluid. By applying different electrical charges, the desired pigment rises to the surface, forming pixels in any of the six colors. Once in place, the image stays without power until the next refresh.
For more information, please visit: https://www.eink.com/tech/detail/How_it_works
The Popular E-Ink Digital Art Frames Sizes
| Size | Resolution | PPI |
| 4″ | 600*400 | ~180 |
| 7.3″ | 800*480 | 127 |
| 10” | 1600*1200 | 200 |
| 8.14″ | 1024*576 | 144 |
| 13.3″ | 1200*1600 | 150 |
| 25.3″ | 3200*1800 | 145 |
| 28.5” | 2160*3080 | 132 |
| 31.5″ | 2560*1440 | 94 |
The Players in E-Ink Digital Art Frames
A lot of startups have been working on E-Ink Digital Art Frames, but all of them use Spectra 6. The most well known ones are listed as below.
Bloomin8 (by Arpobot)
- A crowd‑funded digital art frame debuting March 19, 2025 on Kickstarter/Indiegogo.
- Available in 7.3″, 13.3″, and 28.5″ sizes, battery-powered (up to ~1 year), and Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/Job‑Assistant compatible
Reflection Frame (Creative Design Worx)
- A 13.3″ Spectra 6 frame featuring NFC pairing, Bluetooth LE updates via smartphone, Kickstarter‑backed ($249–329 early bird).
- UI connectivity is optimized for simplicity and power efficiency
InkPoster (PocketBook + Sharp)
- A digital wall poster/art display available in 13.3″, 28.5″, 31.5″ sizes.
- Charges once a year, equipped with Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth, app-connected for curated artworks and personal uploads
These platforms illustrate the shift from display hardware to connected art ecosystems—powered by APIs, smartphone apps, and even AI content generation. Whether you’re a collector or creative, these Spectra 6 frames offer nearly silent, power-efficient, and paper-like canvases that softly transform your space.
The full list players are listed below:
Aluratek Kickstarter – https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/…
Bloomin8 – https://bloomin8.com/product/einkcanvas
Reflection Frame – https://www.reflectionframe.com/
Inkposter – https://inkposter.com
Paperless Paper – https://paperlesspaper.de/e
What Orient Display is Involved in E-Ink Digital Art Frames Creations?
- E-ink Spectra 6 EDP sourcing
- Laminate the protection glass to EDP
- Touch design, manufacturing and integration.
- Front Light, design, manufacturing and Integration (if any crazy ideas)
- EDP driving board includes PCB layout, SMT, testing and firmware. Our engineers are familiar with ESP32.
- Housing and frame with aluminum, plastic or wood material.
- The whole assembly and packaging.
If you have any questions, please contact our engineering team.
Browse our standard E-Ink products from our online store.