What is it?

This is a custom made frame for Inkycal with a custom e-paper driver board. If you already have a Raspberry Pi and a 7.5" e-paper display, this is perfect for you! This frame will give your Inkycal an aesthetic look and make your build ultra-slim (1cm) and lightweight.

Why did you make it?

Although there are dozens of photo frames available in size 13x18cm, none of them give as aesthetic look as this one when it comes to using Inkycal with it.

This is because the 7.5" e-paper displays do not have a standard size like photos and therefore cannot be used with passepartouts or off-the-shelf inlays. Cutting passepartouts is an option too, but cutting edges with a margin of a few millimeters from the edges is dangerous and very difficult.

Although 3d-printing the case is an option too, this one fits in with an error of around +-1mm from all edges, is hand-made by yours truly and is the result of at least 50 different (failed or non-satisfying) designs to make Inkycal even more smaller, compact and lightweight.Compared to FDM prints, this is very light, two-coloured, and gives a much nicer texture in your hand too. The cutouts at the back cover provide support for hanging it on a wall as well as a cutout for the usb cable.

What makes it special?

Each frame is made by hand. It starts off with a trimmed down version of a 13x18cm frame, which is sourced locally. By default, these are white, but as the display is white too, it does not provide the necessary contrast to make it look elegant.

The first step is spray-painting the frame by hand with a water-based dye with two layers. After fully dry, recycled cardboard is printed using a custom, well-tested template with perfect alignment for the display.

This front-cover template is carefully cut by hand using special tools to give perfectly sharp and straight edges. Using a scissor or blade-cutters just won't give the same results.

The display is now glued to the back of the front-display using special double-sided tape from 3M. The display is further strengthened by another layer of cardboard at the back with a special glue to prevent it from slipping in any direction.

The back cover is made similarly with a custom, well-tested template. This is cut in the same way and strengthened by another layer from the inside. With holes being cut for the wire and for hanging up the display, everything is assembled.

As the display is a single unit and the frame is made up two parts, each part can be changed individually, hence replacing parts is really easy. Even the parts used (recycled cardboard and PP) can be separated with ease, allowing the product's lifecycle to extend beyond a throwaway item.

Please note, with a case barely 1cm in height, it's not possible to use the waveshare e-paper driver board. As a result, you will have to manually solder the driver board with the Raspberry Pi.

Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any damage related to any electric part as this is only a frame and pre-tested driver board. If you're looking for a fully plug-and-play solution, please check our store for Inkycal.

What do I get?

You get a specially designed frame for 7.5" e-paper displays for use with Inkycal. This package contains:

• 1x front bezel which is visible from the front (recycled paper)
• 1x middle layer to where the display gets glued on using the included double-sided tape (recycled paper)
• 1x back cover (plastic + recycled paper)
• 1x front cover (plastic)
• 1x custom, ultra-slim driver board

You will still need a Raspberry Pi Zero W, soldering skills, soldering iron, solder, thin wires and a 7.5" e-paper display, see here: Where to source the required 7.5" e-paper