Why does your Apple Pencil tip keep wearing down?

Your Apple Pencil is one of the best tools for writing and drawing on your iPad. It’s precise, responsive, and gives you the flexibility to take notes, sketch ideas, and annotate documents all on one device.

That’s especially true if you’re using a matte screen protector — sometimes called a “paper-feel” or “paper-like” screen protector.

For note-takers, artists, and professionals it’s a popular choice. A matte screen protector adds extra friction and resistance, making it easier to control strokes and write more clearly.

Handwriting looks neater. Sketching feels more precise. Annotation is fast and easy. The added versatility and control that a paper-feel offers screen protector makes it hard to go back to a bare screen.

But, there’s a problem.

After weeks or months of writing and drawing with your screen protector, your Apple Pencil tip might feel a little different.

Especially if you prefer rougher protectors, you might find that your Apple Pencil tip is actually beginning to wear down.

The problem? Friction.

Apple designed its Apple Pencil tips to glide smoothly on a glass screen. Some wear and tear is even expected, which is why the company offers replaceable tips.

For most users, that’s fine.

But, if you’re using a matte screen protector to improve your writing and drawing experience, the wear and tear can quickly become excessive.

Why? Because you’re running up against a fundamental problem of physics. The rough, textured surface of the screen protector makes your Apple Pencil work harder than intended.

The more resistance, the greater the wear. The rougher the protector, the faster it happens.

Simply put: The standard Apple Pencil tips aren’t designed with matte screen protectors in mind.

The difference might be difficult to feel, especially at first. Eventually, you’ll notice it. Your strokes won’t be as smooth. Your writing might look slightly off. Lines won’t land where they should when you work. If you look closely, you might even notice that the tip has flattened or worn down.

And once an Apple Pencil tip starts degrading? There’s no fixing it. You have to replace it.

At first, it’s not a big deal ... but if you’re using a paper-feel screen protector every day, you’ll be replacing tips more often than expected.

So, how do you get the control and precision of a matte screen protector without wearing down your Apple Pencil tip?

The fix? Rock Paper Pencil.

While any matte screen protector can provide added control and resistance, it also creates friction that wears down standard Apple Pencil tips. That leads to long-term frustration, damage to the stylus, and tip replacements that add up over time.

With Rock Paper Pencil, we set out to create the most natural writing and drawing experience on iPad — without trade-offs or compromises.

Rather than adding another screen protector to an already-crowded market, we wanted to build something different.

A paper-feel experience shouldn’t come at the cost of durability. A better writing experience shouldn't wear out your Apple Pencil. If you’re using your iPad to take notes, sketch, or stay productive, you shouldn’t have to think about constantly replacing your Apple Pencil tips.

So, we took a different approach.

Rock Paper Pencil is a complete system — a two-part solution — that gives you the benefits of a matte screen protector but without the unnecessary wear and tear.

It’s been a big hit with artists and note-takers, many of whom have told us that Rock Paper Pencil has made a huge difference in their daily workflow.

And we think you’ll love it, too.

“A must have for any iPad user who draws or writes freehand!”

What is Rock Paper Pencil?

Most people don’t realize how much their Apple Pencil tip affects the way they write and draw.

A worn down tip creates sloppy handwriting and imprecise lines. Over time, it takes away from the experience that made the Apple Pencil so great in the first place.

Rock Paper Pencil provides two components to solve that problem:

✅ NanoCling screen protector. Our screen protector is infused with microscopic texture that provides the perfect amount of friction for precise control.

✅ Precision-engineered ballpoint tip. Our 0.7mm ballpoint Apple Pencil tips offer pinpoint accuracy with every stroke. Unlike the standard tips, they’re designed to last — even with daily use on a matte screen protector.

Together, they create the most realistic pen-on-paper feeling for iPad — with none of the downsides.

A better screen protector. A better tip. A complete solution.

Standard tips? Long-term problems.

If you’re using your iPad to take notes, make art, or stay productive, your Apple Pencil is always moving.

Even when you add a paper-feel screen protector, your Apple Pencil is doing all the work. Every stroke, note, and line slowly grinds away at that tip. Over time, that friction adds up.

Here’s where other Apple Pencil tips fall short:

❌ Not designed for friction. Standard Apple Pencil tips were made for smooth glass screens. Add texture, and they wear down fast.

❌ Uneven wear over time. The more you write, the more friction grinds down the tip, causing inconsistent strokes and a loss of control.

Frequent replacements. Once a tip flattens, you can’t fix it. You have to replace it. That adds up fast if you use a matte screen protector daily.

❌ Plastic wears out fast. Standard Apple Pencil tips are made of soft plastic that degrades with regular use. Power users like artists and note-takers will see this happen with greater regularity.

It’s a long list of frustrations that many iPad users just accept — if they even know about them.

Most brands don’t mention that their paper-feel screen protector causes wear and tear for fear that users won’t buy their product.

The truth? It happens — and you deserve a better solution.

Rock Paper Pencil is built to last.

The pencil tips included with Rock Paper Pencil are built for daily use. They don’t flatten or degrade over time, even when used with our (included) paper-feel screen protector.

Why? They’re built from stronger stuff.

Unlike standard Apple Pencil tips, which wear down quickly from friction, our tips are crafted from a copper-alloy core with a palladium coating. This gives them the strength to handle textured surfaces without losing precision, control, or accuracy.

And it’s not just about durability.

The ballpoint design is more familiar and controlled, so you can enjoy smoother, more precise strokes while jotting notes, sketching ideas, or marking up documents.

Plus, you get two tips in every pack, so if one goes missing – or you just want to swap in a fresh tip — you’ll always have a spare ready to go.

No flattening. No unexpected replacements. Just a better writing and drawing experience.

Take better notes

Digital notes can be a game-changer for learning and recordkeeping.

Most note-taking apps have advanced organization and search features that you just can’t get in an analog format. Notes are easier to organize and are automatically backed up, and you’ll have access to a variety of pen types and highlighter styles.

But none of that matters if your handwriting isn't legible.

A slick, glass screen makes handwriting messy, inconsistent, and difficult to read. It’s also tiresome, because your wrist and hand are constantly overcorrecting to compensate for the lack of friction.

Rock Paper Pencil fixes this by providing just the right level of resistance and control so that every stroke of the pen feels more natural and precise. Handwriting becomes smoother, clearer, and easier to read, so that your notes finally work the way they should.

Make incredible art

Art is a personal journey, and digital is a wildly popular medium. It’s why iPad is the go-to solution for digital artists — especially for users who want to get away from desktop drawing environments and specialized drawing tablets.

Real talk: You can create stunning artwork on your iPad.

The ability to switch between brushes, mediums, and colors gives unparalleled flexibility when working on projects. Version history and layering means that you’ll never have to worry about mistakes or lines that you don’t like.

But drawing on smooth glass just doesn’t feel right.

It’s too easy to lose control. Lines don’t go where you want them. Strokes become too imprecise. Suddenly, the creative flow is gone and you’re busy fixing mistakes.

Matte screen protectors (not just Rock Paper Pencil) try to offset this by adding texture and resistance to the drawing process. Results vary with the thickness and “roughness” of the protector.

What you might not know is that most matte screen protectors will wear down your Apple Pencil tips. Heavy stroke, shading and hashing, and other artistic techniques can cause wear and tear that force you to replace your tips.

Rock Paper Pencil includes ballpoint pencil tips to give you a safer and more durable experience. They’re built to last, even with daily use.

Stay more productive

As a productivity tool, the iPad is hard to beat.

Digital planners, calendars, and productivity apps can streamline your workflow and help you stay on track throughout the day. Tools for review, annotation, and markup can help you provide feedback for important documents, catalog meetings, and so much more.

But when simple actions like checking off tasks or jotting notes in your calendar feel awkward and unnatural, productivity takes a hit.

Your workflow should be seamless.

Rock Paper Pencil bridges that gap by providing the subtle, tactile feel that makes every tap, swipe, and stroke feel like it was meant to happen. Building new workflows and navigating through productivity apps feels seamless. Your iPad becomes an extension of your productivity — without the usual frustrations or distractions.

Rather than fighting with your tools, use them to stay organized, productive, and focused throughout your day.

What if...

... I don't want Rock Paper Pencil on my screen all the time?

That’s easy! You just take it off. (Seriously.)

The screen protector uses a NanoCling applicator to adhere along the bezel of your iPad (the frame around the screen) using static electricity. It’s stronger than magnets, and it doesn’t leave residue when removed.

All you have to do is break the seal, and the screen protector will peel off. When you’re ready to use it again, just reapply it.

The ballpoint Apple Pencil tips also screw on and off of your stylus, so they can be swapped for the Apple originals at any time.

... I mainly use my iPad for productivity, not art?

You’re in good company.

Nearly half of Rock Paper Pencil fans use the product for productivity tasks like note-taking, organizing schedules, and annotating documents.

The subtle, paper-feel texture improves handwriting clarity, making notes and to-do lists easier to read and manage. Even simple tasks, like checking off items or marking up PDFs, feels precise and effortless.

Rock Paper Pencil can make your everyday workflow smoother — no artistic skills required.

... I’ve tried other screen protectors and didn’t like them?

Many Rock Paper Pencil users previously tried other paper-feel screen protectors before making the switch.

Users have told us that they stuck with us because Rock Paper Pencil offers easy application, a realistic paper feel, and includes heavy-duty ballpoint tips for the Apple Pencil.

It’s not just any other screen protector; it’s a completely different experience!

If other screen protectors have fallen short, Rock Paper Pencil might just be the upgrade you’ve been looking for.

... I have other accessories on my iPad?

Rock Paper Pencil works with almost all iPad accessories.

Because it adheres directly to the bezel using static electricity (our NanoCling technology), it won’t interfere with your favorite cases, keyboard covers, or stands.

Of course, if you’re using a third party stylus rather than the Apple Pencil, you can still use the screen protector ... but you won’t be able to use the pencil tips.

... I just don't like it?

We totally get it. Trying out new accessories can feel risky. That’s why we offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

If Rock Paper Pencil just isn’t the right fit, you can return it with no questions asked.

Sold out

FAQ

Will Rock Paper Pencil work with my iPad?

If your iPad is newer, it’s probably compatible. To be sure, take a look at our compatibility guide.

The screen protector won’t interfere with most cases, and the Apple Pencil tips work with all Apple Pencil models.

How does Rock Paper Pencil attach to the iPad?

Static electricity! Seriously.

Our NanoCling technology doesn’t use glue or any other kind of adhesive. Instead, it uses a static charge that is stronger than magnets and doesn’t leave residue behind when you remove it.

It’s also reusable, so you can peel off the screen protector when you don’t need it and reapply it when you do. No mess, and no fuss.

Do the Apple Pencil tips wear down quickly?

Nope. We designed our ballpoint tips with a copper alloy core and palladium coating. In other words, they’re built to last — even with daily use. You also get two in a package, so you have a spare if you lose one or break a tip.

They’re also screw-ons, so you can swap them for the original Apple Pencil tips at any time.

Does the screen protector reduce clarity?

This is a common complaint for matte screen protectors, but Rock Paper Pencil was designed with this in mind.

Blurring, refraction, and diffraction are common problems when using low-cost screen protectors. Often, light has trouble passing through the thick plastic, or the treatment applied to the screen required to achieve the “roughness” causes light from the screen to bend and bounce before it reaches your eyes.

Rock Paper Pencil is designed to keep images clear and true to life — something that is critical to the artists who use our products!