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Hardware design

Inkplate 10 is an open-source product, and we are happy to share an overview of its hardware design. On the following pages, you'll find schematics, KiCad design files, and other technical details related to the hardware. Whether you're looking to modify, troubleshoot, or simply understand the inner workings of Inkplate, this section has everything you need.

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All hardware designs and resources are provided under an open-source license, meaning you're free to explore, modify, and improve upon them as needed.

Basic overview

The Inkplate 10 features a 9.7″ e-paper display, USB-C connectivity for both power and programming, abundant GPIO pins with I2C, SPI, and Qwiic header, on-board ESP32–driven Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth, CH340C USB‑to‑UART bridging, microSD expansion,chac and TI-based power management (battery charging and temperature sensing) — all in a form factor primed for custom enclosures.

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Fun fact: Inkplate 10 displays come from reused Kindle E-Books

Components

Here is an overview of on‑board components with their locations:

Inkplate 10 front
Inkplate 10 front
Inkplate 10 back
Inkplate 10 back
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The term "easyC" used here actually refers to qwiic connectors.

E-paper panel

The ED097OC1 is a 9.7-inch e-paper display panel from E Ink Holdings Inc. This model is without a frontlight or touchscreen, making it ideal for low-power, high-contrast applications such as e-book readers.

It features an 825 × 1200 resolution (150 PPI), reflective matte treatment, and a 7:1 contrast ratio. The display operates in a 0°C to 50°C temperature range and can be stored in temperatures as low as -25°C.

See the table below for detailed specifications:

SpecificationDetails
BrandE Ink
Model NumberED097OC1 / ED097OC2 / ED097OC4
Diagonal Size9.7 inches
Resolution825 × 1200 pixels (212 PPI)
Pixel FormatRectangle
Active Area202.8(W)×139.425(H) mm
Outline Dimensions218.8(H)×156.425(V)×1.28(D) mm
Surface TreatmentAnti‑glare
Contrast Ratio7:1 (Typ.) (Reflective)
TouchscreenNo (this version has no touchscreen)
BacklightNo backlight, no driver
Color DepthGrayscale
Mass80.0 ± 5.0 g
Use CaseE‑Book Readers
InterfaceParallel Data (1ch, 8‑bit), 34‑pin FPC
Voltage Supply3.3V (Typ.)
Operating Temperature0°C to 50°C
Storage Temperature-25°C to 70°C
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Note: All specifications listed above are based on available datasheets and may contain minor inaccuracies. Always verify with the manufacturer for the latest details.