Attach EInk display (without damaging it)
Anyone who has ever integrated an e-ink display into a project knows the problem: How do I stick this thing in place without breaking it or making it impossible to remove later?
Unfortunately, we have already damaged some panels or glued them permanently. Hence the solution:Stretch-Release Tape
Preparation
Before the display can be placed: clean thoroughly. This is usually not necessary for new displays.
- Remove old adhesive residues (carefully with a spatula or isopropanol).
- Degrease everything and let it dry.
- No dust, no fingerprints left on it.
Sounds boring, but it's the most important step. Otherwise, nothing will hold.
Adhesive Options
Double-sided tape 👎
It's the classic, nice and thin, sticks immediately but is hardly adjustable.
Foam tape 👎
Holds like concrete, compensates for unevenness but is practically irreversible. We use it for attaching the mats, as the stretch-release tape does not hold well enough there.
Liquid adhesive 👎
Although it can be adjusted briefly with gel, it smells extremely unpleasant and the display is difficult to adjust. It also takes a long time to dry. Impossible to remove.
The solution: Stretch-Release Tape 👍
Stretch-release adhesive is a special double-sided adhesive strip that adheres strongly but can be removed without a trace when stretched slowly in the longitudinal direction.
The principle is simple:
The adhesive strip loses its adhesive power as soon as you stretch it: this allows it to detach cleanly from the surface without leaving adhesive residues or causing damage.
This is known, for example, from 3M Command hooks on walls or in smartphones, where batteries and displays are attached with such adhesive strips. For projects with e-ink displays, this is ideal: strong hold, but later easily removable by pulling on the small tab if you want to replace or repair something.
Alignment Aid
Here is a 3D-printed aid that we use for alignment (but usually aligning the display by hand is sufficient).
We ordered the variant from Aliexpress. It doesn't matter whether you use the white or black tape. The panel sits firmly, and if you ever need to access the insides, you just pull on the small tab and the tape comes off cleanly. No residue, no drama.
Here are the links to the tape we use:
