ESP32uesday: an ItsyBitsy Silkscreen

This #ESP32uesday post isn’t about ESP32 specifically, but I was recently tasked with a silkscreen for this ESP32 ItsyBitsy board that Limor’s designing, and it highlights the eternal struggle of “blowgun silkscreens.”

ItsyBitsy is a nutrient-dense board form factor between QT Py and Feather. The ESP32 module is just a twee narrower than the board itself, leaving no room for almost half the top pin labels. Following a project’s wiring might require flipping the board (as with Raspberry Pi Pico) or referencing a pin legend. Between-pin labels (as on some Espressif DevKits) just doesn’t work…too small.

I’m trying these “islands” around related groups. SPI, I2C, analog and serial are in distinct black or white blocks. While not a complete labeling, it does provide some navigational landmarks when glancing between ref and board…easier to spot “third pin in this group” than “11th pin counting down the edge of the board.” Worth a try.

Color-coded CMYK silkscreens would be super cool but isn’t within budget yet. Some day! Any other ideas on conveying pin hints without complete pin labels?


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