Nibs (or tips) are an important part of any e-ink writing tablet as they provide the friction needed to replicate paper and also help the tablet locate the writing.
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What is a nib on a EMR stylus (like the reMarkable Marker)?
On a modern EMR stylus, the nib is the portion of the device that makes contact with a tablet or other input device. The etymology of the word is actually quite interesting and references the stylus as an extension of pens & pencils.
In the writing world, a nib is the portion of a pen that comes in contact with the paper and delivers ink to that surface. The term actually harkens back to the 15th and 16th century when writing was done with a quill. The term ‘pen’ comes from the Latin term ‘penna’ for quill and ‘nib’ means beak. As quills transitioned to steel and gold pens, the term nib stuck. Now in the 21st century, nib continues to refer to the portion of a stylus that touches a tablet.
For a MUCH deeper dive on the meaning of pen and nib, as well as the initial references in literature, check out Found Pen History’s blog post.
Why are nibs important to EMR tablets like the reMarkable 2?
Nibs serve two important functions on writing tablets:
- Provide location and pressure information from the stylus to the tablet – the nip pushes back against the circuits of the EMR stylus and allows the tablet to understand it’s location and how hard the user is pushing on it. They are not conductive, as the energy is received through the antenna.
- Provide sufficient friction in combination with the tablet surface to mimic the ‘feeling’ of writing on paper
Location and pressure information – EMR stylus or pens work in combination with tablets through a low-energy EMR field that is emitted by the tablet. The antenna on the stylus gathers that power and uses it to re-transmit the location (from the nib) and pressure (from the springs above the nib) back to the tablet.
Fiction to simulate paper – one of the key problems with the iPad and other standard tablet note taking tools & apps is that their glass surface feels too smooth or rubbery. EMR nibs are generally constructed of material that wears down through use due to the friction it generates with the tablet. Some tablets, like the reMarkable 2, have slightly rough surfaces (not super smooth Gorilla Glass like the iPad) to magnify the paper-like feeling.
What are stylus nibs made from?
EMR nibs are generally made from a non-metalic material, which wears down over time. Specific to the reMarkable Marker and Marker Plus, the nibs are made of a compressed felt material. Apparently reMarkable has confirmed that the felt is actually biodegradable and will break down once thrown away.
What’s the difference between replaceable and permanent EMR nibs?
If you go on Amazon and search for EMR nibs or tips, you’ll get a variety of results for both permanent (“never replace it again”) as well as standard “wears down as you use it” nibs. The biggest difference in the construction of these two types of nibs is the material they are made out of. The permanent nibs are generally made of metal, in some cases using exotic alloys like titanium or ceramic.
Since EMR nibs are only to provide friction and location information, you could theoretically replace your standard nibs with permanent ones. I would, however, caution against using permanent EMR nibs. I recommend this because in any situation where there is significant friction, one surface is likely to wear. With permanent nibs, you’ll likely be scratching and wearing the tablet screen (instead of a cheap replaceable part).
Where can I get replacement nibs for my reMarkable Marker?
Below are links to purchase replacement EMR nibs for the various styli that are compatible with the reMarkable tablet. It’s important to get nibs specific to your stylus, as the barrel / shaft portion of each design is slightly different.
reMarkable Marker & Marker Plus – link to nibs
Staedtler Noris Digital Jumbo & Classic – link to nibs
Lamy AL-Star EMR Stylus – link to nibs
Kindle Scribe Pen – link to nibs
To learn more about the pros and cons of the different styli that are compatible with the reMarkable tablet, check out our article on the subject.
