Drawing Dotted Lines in GoodNotes: Tips for Better Digital Notes

GoodNotes is one of the most powerful digital note-taking apps available today, popular among students, educators, artists, and productivity enthusiasts. With its clean interface and intuitive tools, GoodNotes makes handwritten digital journaling a joy. But one subtle feature many users search for is how to draw dotted lines in GoodNotes—especially when aiming for cleaner, more organized, and aesthetically pleasing notes. how to draw dotted lines in goodnotes

Although GoodNotes doesn’t come with a native dotted line tool, there are several easy and creative ways to incorporate them into your digital pages. Whether you're working on planners, habit trackers, study notes, or design mockups, dotted lines can elevate your content by adding structure, style, and visual separation.

In this guide, we’ll explore tips, tricks, and techniques to draw dotted lines in GoodNotes and use them for better digital note-taking.

Why Use Dotted Lines in GoodNotes?

Before jumping into how to draw them, let’s look at why dotted lines are a great addition to your GoodNotes setup:

✨ Organized Layouts: Dotted lines help divide sections without overwhelming the page.
???? Focus Areas: Use them to subtly highlight or guide the eye to key information.
???? Planner Aesthetics: Perfect for designing calendars, to-do lists, and bullet journal spreads.
???? Design Appeal: Dotted lines add a minimalistic, modern vibe to any layout.
???? Study Benefits: Students can use them to structure outlines, flashcards, or practice problems.

Now, let’s look at several practical ways you can create dotted lines like a pro.

1. The Manual Dot-by-Dot Method

If you’re going for a fully custom look, the manual method gives you total control.

How to Do It:

Select the Pen Tool in GoodNotes.
Set the stroke thickness to a fine size (e.g., 0.3 mm).
Tap gently to place each dot.
Keep tapping at equal intervals along the line you want to draw.

Pro Tip:

Zoom in for better spacing and accuracy.
Use a dotted paper template to help with alignment.

Best For:

Small section dividers
Custom trackers and charts
Minimalist design elements

2. Use Short Dashes for a Dotted Look

For a similar effect with a little more speed, use tiny dashed lines.

Steps:

Select the Ball Pen Tool.
Draw short lines (less than 0.5 cm), lifting your stylus between each stroke.
Space them evenly to mimic a dotted or dashed line.

While this doesn’t produce true dots, it gives a clean segmented look—great for headers and box outlines.

3. Use Stickers or Transparent PNGs

One of the easiest ways to add dotted lines is to import pre-made graphics like stickers or transparent PNGs.

Where to Find Dotted Line Graphics:

Etsy (search “GoodNotes dotted line stickers”)
Canva (design and export)
Free PNG sites (like PngTree or Pixabay)
Create your own in Procreate, Photoshop, or Illustrator

How to Import:

Tap the Image Tool.
Insert your dotted line image from your device.
Resize and position it on your page.

Bonus Tip:

Use the Lasso Tool to move, duplicate, or rotate the image as needed.

4. Save Your Dotted Lines to the Elements Tool

If you use dotted lines frequently, save time by storing your best designs in the Elements Tool.

Here’s How:

Select the dotted line you’ve drawn or imported.
Use the Lasso Tool to circle it.
Tap “Add Element” and save it in a folder like “Dividers” or “Layout Tools.”

This lets you drag and drop your dotted lines into any notebook instantly.

5. Use the Highlighter Tool for Soft Dots

Want a soft and subtle touch for your dotted line? Try the Highlighter Tool.

How:

Choose a soft pastel or neutral color.
Set the highlighter size between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm.
Tap the screen lightly at regular intervals.

This is perfect for habit trackers, journaling, or decorative planner pages where you want a more relaxed, blended look.

6. Create Custom Templates with Dotted Lines

If you find yourself redrawing the same types of lines often (e.g., for planners or layouts), why not create a reusable template?

How to Do It:

Use Canva, Procreate, or another design tool to make your layout.
Include dotted lines in your design.
Export the page as a PDF or image.
Import the file into GoodNotes as a custom template or background.

Now every new page will have dotted lines built in—no need to redraw!

7. Pair Dotted Lines with Text and Shapes

Dotted lines don’t have to stand alone. Combine them with other GoodNotes features to enhance your page’s layout.

Creative Uses:

Place a dotted line under headers for a subtle title divider.
Combine with the Shape Tool to make outlined boxes.
Add text above or between dotted lines for labels, dates, or checklists.

8. Use Lasso + Duplicate for Perfect Repeats

Once you’ve drawn one perfect dotted line, you don’t need to recreate it again and again. Use the Lasso Tool to copy and paste it across your page.

How:

Lasso the dotted line.
Tap “Copy” → then “Paste.”
Move and align it wherever needed.

This technique is excellent for making checklists, planners, or habit tracker grids in minutes.

Tips for Cleaner Dotted Lines

Whether you go manual or import graphics, keep these quick tips in mind:

✅ Keep it Consistent:

Use the same color and spacing throughout your document to maintain a cohesive look.

✅ Stick with Minimal Colors:

Dotted lines look best when they're gray, black, or light pastels. Avoid overly bright or bold colors unless for emphasis.

✅ Use Zoom for Precision:

Drawing dotted lines by hand? Zoom in to place dots with surgical accuracy.

✅ Practice Spacing:

Even spacing between dots makes a big difference. Try using a grid or dot paper layout as a guide.

Final Thoughts

While GoodNotes doesn’t have a built-in dotted line tool, that hasn’t stopped its creative community from finding smart workarounds. From hand-drawn dots to custom stickers, template imports, and Elements Tool hacks, there are many ways to include dotted lines in your workflow—and each one can help you create more organized, professional, and visually appealing digital notes.

So whether you're bullet journaling, outlining a project, or designing your digital planner, don’t overlook the power of a well-placed dotted line. With a few taps and creative tricks, you’ll be using them like a digital note-taking pro in no time.

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