Screen annotation on Mac

How to draw on your screen on Mac

When a slide, document, or live demo needs one extra mark, switching apps can interrupt the explanation.

Short answerUse an annotation tool that stays above the app you are presenting. You can point, underline, draw an arrow, or write a note without rebuilding the screen in another app.

Start with the screen you already have

Open the app you want to explain, then choose a pen, highlighter, arrow, text tool, or shape. For a live session, keep each mark purposeful: circle the value people should notice, draw one arrow to show a relationship, then clear the screen before moving on.

Keep the explanation readable

Use a highlighter for emphasis rather than covering text with ink. Arrows and rectangles work well for interface walkthroughs because they preserve the surrounding context. If the audience needs to read small text, use a magnifier instead of drawing over it.

Where TeacherPalette fits

TeacherPalette is a native Mac presentation toolkit built for explaining on screen. Its drawing tools work over the Mac apps you already use, and its toolbar and private HUD can stay out of a screen share. You can also save a Whiteboard when an explanation is worth reusing later.

Get TeacherPalette on the App Store