Microsoft's ink-friendly Journal app now supports pen pressure and custom colors

Surface Pro X Sq2 Surface Slim Pen
Surface Pro X Sq2 Surface Slim Pen (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • The Microsoft Garage Journal app recently received an update.
  • The update brings pen pressure support, custom ink color support, and more new features.
  • The update also brings several bug fixes and performance improvements.

Microsoft breaks down what's new in a recent post. Here's what's new for the Journal app:

  • Print and Export You can now print and export your journal pages to a printer, a PDF, or to OneNote. From the page menu or the navigation panel you can select what to include
  • Custom ink colors Tap the pen or pencil to reveal the new custom color picker you can choose
  • Support for pen pressure  From the Settings > Pen Settings menu you can now turn on pressure sensitivity for a more real-life pen and pencil feel. Requires a supported pen
  • Insert Images You'll be able to easily insert images from the toolbar under the + icon. You can still copy and paste or drag and drop images manually as well
  • Bug fixes and performance It wouldn't be a release without some behind the scenes user experience work. Journals should open more reliably, and general performance should feel better, too

You can grab the update now through the Microsoft Store.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.