Copybook Club

Copybook Club is an iOS app for creating Simplified Chinese handwriting worksheets from personal text, imported files, vocabulary packs, or words collected in stories. It imports PDFs, photos, and DOCX files, recognizes Chinese text, and lets users edit the result before generating a worksheet. Learn mode concentrates on unique characters, while Practice mode keeps the source text in sequence; Word Packs provide prepared vocabulary, including HSK 1–5 lists for HSK 2.0 and 3.0.

Users can adjust grids, fonts, cell size, repetitions, pinyin, translations, tracing or fading, and stroke-order guides. Worksheets can be practiced with Apple Pencil on iPad or exported as A4 PDFs. The free plan allows three generations per week and up to two pages per worksheet, alongside selected tools, free Word Packs, two daily Ink Rush rounds, and PDF export. Bookshelf includes two free interactive stories, and Ink Rush provides timed handwriting-memory rounds. Worksheet creation and file processing take place on-device, and core features continue locally without iCloud. The app is for handwriting practice, not a full Chinese course or grading tool.

Copybook Club focuses on making customizable handwriting sheets from user-selected Chinese material. Its free tier includes several practice tools, with generation and page limits to consider.

It suits iOS users practicing Simplified Chinese handwriting who want to turn their own text or vocabulary into worksheets. It is not aimed at learners seeking handwriting grading or a full Chinese course.

Copybook Club is an iOS app for making customizable Chinese handwriting worksheets from text, files, vocabulary packs, and words found in interactive stories. It is best suited to learners who want to practise selected Simplified Chinese vocabulary on their own terms. The focused toolkit is useful, but it is not a full Chinese course or a handwriting-grading app.

Overview

Practice can start with typed text, a PDF, photo, or DOCX file, a Word Pack, or words collected in a story. The app recognizes Chinese text from imported files and lets you edit the result before making a worksheet, which is helpful when an import needs correction. Learn mode isolates unique characters; Practice mode retains the source text in order. That distinction makes it practical to drill a character set or rehearse a passage, though neither mode assesses whether your handwriting is correct.

Worksheet settings include grids, fonts, cell size, repetitions, pinyin, translations, tracing or fading, and stroke-order guides. You can write on worksheets with Apple Pencil on iPad or export A4 PDFs for screen or paper practice. This flexibility gives learners control over the shape of an exercise, but the app does not provide a full course, flashcards, HSK progress tracking, personalized assessment, or handwriting grading.

Key features

Word Packs include HSK 1–5 lists for both HSK 2.0 and HSK 3.0, as well as themed collections. They are a useful shortcut when you want structured vocabulary without building a list yourself; Pro Word Packs require a paid plan.

Bookshelf includes two free interactive stories, Office Help and Four Cities Over Coffee. Readers can check pinyin and translations, collect words for later worksheet practice, and reach one of 12 endings across the stories. This adds a reading-based source of practice, although the two-story selection is a modest library rather than a broad course.

Ink Rush turns handwriting recall into 60-second rounds with three lives, checking stroke order and direction automatically. The timed format adds a more game-like exercise, while the free daily round cap makes it a supplement rather than an unlimited practice mode.

Worksheet generation and file processing happen on device. When iCloud is available, the app syncs selected worksheet records, saved filled Apple Pencil PDFs, rewards, and progress through a private iCloud database; core worksheets, Bookshelf reading, and Ink Rush also work locally when iCloud is unavailable. The maker says it runs no third-party analytics or advertising SDKs.

Pricing

Free — free. The free plan allows three worksheet generations per week, up to two pages per worksheet, selected fonts and palettes, free Word Packs, two free stories, two Ink Rush rounds per day, and PDF export. That is enough to explore the main workflow and practise in short sessions, but weekly generation and page caps can constrain regular or longer assignments. Free PDF exports carry a small Copybook Club signature near the page edge, described by the maker as a creator credit rather than a watermark.

Pro — custom pricing. Pro removes the worksheet-generation cap, allows longer worksheets and more customization, and adds premium fonts and palettes, Pro Word Packs, unlimited Ink Rush rounds, and a third rewarded round each day. It is the better fit for frequent worksheet creation or learners who need more styling and vocabulary options. Free is the sensible starting point for occasional practice; the Pro price should be weighed before relying on its expanded capacity.

Platforms

Copybook Club is available on iOS. Apple Pencil worksheet writing is supported on iPad, and A4 PDF export offers a route to digital or printed practice.

Who it's for

Choose Copybook Club if you study Simplified Chinese and want to turn your own material, imported documents, HSK vocabulary, or story words into tailored handwriting sheets. It also suits learners who value on-device processing and offline access to core features. Look elsewhere if you need a comprehensive Chinese course, graded handwriting feedback, flashcards, or a formal HSK progress tracker.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Multiple input routes, including editable recognition from PDFs, photos, and DOCX files, make it easier to practise class or personal material.
• Pro: Detailed worksheet controls and A4 export support both customized digital practice and paper use.
• Pro: On-device processing, local core features, and private iCloud sync reduce dependence on the maker's servers.
• Con: The free plan's three weekly generations and two-page worksheet limit can interrupt heavier practice.
• Con: The app is limited to handwriting practice rather than grading, course progression, flashcards, or personalized assessment.
• Con: Free PDF exports include a small creator signature, and Pro pricing is custom rather than a clear published amount.

Alternatives

Handwriting Practice Apps is a useful starting point if you want to compare options across the category. For an open-source option with broad platform support, consider Kanji Dojo, which is freemium and runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Writing Wizard may suit readers seeking a freemium handwriting app for Android, iOS, or Windows, with remaining letters and custom words requiring an in-app purchase or subscription. If unlimited sentences and repetitions without a subscription or account are the priority, Handwriting Repeater is free on Android, iOS, and web.

Hanzi Writer is another freemium choice for Android, iOS, and macOS, with core writing practice in its free plan and unlimited daily practice plus AI-generated custom topics in Pro. For a one-time premium unlock, iTrace offers handwriting warm-ups, three letters, and one interactive scene in its free version, with premium features for $3.99, paid once. Kitsunewa Writing Practice has free writing practice without signup and a Pro plan at $4.08 a month, billed $49 yearly, for readers who want its broader set of tools. Nazoru offers two full practices per day free, along with WaniKani, Bunpro, and MaruMori sync and several study paths. Trazos is an iOS and macOS alternative for a different handwriting-practice option.

Verdict

Copybook Club is a strong fit for Simplified Chinese learners who want flexible, self-directed handwriting sheets drawn from their own text, imports, HSK lists, or reading. Its combination of customization, editable imports, and offline-capable practice is the main reason to choose it. Look elsewhere if you need evaluation, broader language instruction, or a clearly priced paid tier before committing.