Waveshare 3.7 inch SPI E-Ink Display 480×280 E-Paper

Waveshare 3.7 inch SPI E-Ink Display is a raw 480 x 280 black-and-white e-paper panel designed for ultra-low-power visual applications. Based on official Waveshare materials, this 3.7inch e-Paper raw display supports 4 grayscale levels, partial refresh, and SPI communication, while keeping the last image visible even when power is removed.

The most suitable application scenarios for this product are price tags, shelf labels, asset and equipment tags, conference name badges, and other low-power status displays where a paper-like effect, high readability in ambient light, and almost zero standby power are more important than animation or backlighting. Because this is a raw panel without PCB, it is best for custom embedded designs or for use with a compatible Waveshare driver board.

Features

• 3.7-inch e-paper raw display with 480 x 280 resolution
• Black and white display with 4 grayscale support
• Partial refresh support for faster local content updates
• Paper-like effect with wide viewing angle and ambient-light readability
• No backlight, so the display keeps showing the last image when powered down
• Ultra-low power consumption, with power mainly required during refresh
• SPI interface supporting 3-wire and 4-wire communication
• Suitable for custom embedded integration because this version is a raw panel without PCB
• Compatible development path available through Waveshare driver boards and example resources for Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano, Arduino, and STM32

Specifications

Applications

• Price tags and retail shelf labels
• Asset and equipment tags in industrial and office environments
• Conference name badges and event identification displays
• Low-power status displays for embedded systems and instruments
• Portable e-paper projects where battery life and sunlight readability are important
• Custom embedded hardware using a raw e-paper panel with a separate driver solution

Packing List

• 3.7inch e-Paper x1

Other Content

The most important thing to understand about this product is that it is a raw display without PCB. That means it is ideal for custom hardware integration, but if you want quick evaluation or direct development with a standard controller, the official Waveshare documentation recommends considering the matching 3.7inch e-Paper HAT or another compatible driver board.

This type of e-paper is especially useful when you need a display that can hold static information for long periods with almost no standby power. Unlike TFT or OLED panels, it does not need a backlight and remains readable under ambient light, which is why it fits labels, tags, and status panels so well.

Resources

• 3.7inch e-Paper HAT Manual
• 3.7inch e-Paper Specification PDF
• Waveshare E-Paper Code Package

FAQ

What is the main use case for this display?

It is best suited to price tags, shelf labels, asset tags, conference badges, and other low-power static information displays.

Does this display need power to keep showing an image?

No. Like other e-paper displays, it can keep showing the last image even when power is removed, with power mainly required during refresh.

Is this a complete module with a driver board?

No. This version is a raw display without PCB, so it is intended for custom integration or for use with a separate compatible driver board.

Does it support partial refresh?

Yes. Official Waveshare specifications list partial refresh support with a typical partial refresh time of 0.3s.

What kind of controllers can be used with it?

Official Waveshare resources mention development examples for Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano, Arduino, and STM32 when used through the appropriate driver solution.