diff --git a/docs/writing-plugins.md b/docs/writing-plugins.md
index 4247a1d..fa3d5fb 100644
--- a/docs/writing-plugins.md
+++ b/docs/writing-plugins.md
@@ -118,6 +118,18 @@ from ... import fonts
 
 To add a shared font, put the font file and its licence in `src/paperpi/fonts/`, and add a name for its path in `src/paperpi/fonts/__init__.py`. A font only one plugin uses can also stay in the plugin's own folder, with its licence.
 
+### Pictures the plugin draws itself
+
+Draw pictures such as bars, dots or icons at the exact size they are shown, never larger: resizing blurs their edges, and blurred edges show as dots on black-and-white screens. epdlib gives that size, inside the block's border and padding:
+
+```python
+layout = PLUGIN.layout(context.layout, context.settings)
+prepared = layout.prepare(context.width, context.height, context.mode)
+width, height = prepared.content_size("bar")
+```
+
+A picture of this size is shown pixel for pixel, whatever the block's `fit`. See `system_info` and `dec_binary_clock`.
+
 ### Moving blocks and colours
 
 `draw` may return a `Drawn` instead of a dictionary, to set two more things:
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index d843a36..cd44bf3 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -51,4 +51,4 @@ select = ["E", "F", "W", "I", "B", "UP"]
 # epdlib is not on PyPI yet, so it comes from GitHub at one fixed commit (see CLAUDE.md).
 # Move `rev` forward when PaperPi needs a newer epdlib.
 [tool.uv.sources]
-epdlib = { git = "https://github.com/txoof/epdlib", rev = "b4dd600b35959c26fd235fe1af6be94e49fcc0db" }
+epdlib = { git = "https://github.com/txoof/epdlib", rev = "4633fcad64cf5b99a6ea7a513fa6bcf497c28a79" }
diff --git a/src/paperpi/plugins/dec_binary_clock/__init__.py b/src/paperpi/plugins/dec_binary_clock/__init__.py
index 6440f09..93ef510 100644
--- a/src/paperpi/plugins/dec_binary_clock/__init__.py
+++ b/src/paperpi/plugins/dec_binary_clock/__init__.py
@@ -17,13 +17,12 @@ def fetch(context: Context):
 def draw(now: datetime, context: Context) -> Drawn:
     from . import dots
 
-    # Draw the dots at the exact size of their block, so epdlib doesn't scale them. The
-    # whole box is the drawing area only because the block has no padding and no border
-    # (see DOTS in layouts.py); a test checks that the screen shows the picture unscaled.
+    # Draw the dots at the exact size of their block, so epdlib doesn't scale them; a test
+    # checks that the screen shows the picture unscaled.
     layout = PLUGIN.layout(context.layout, context.settings)
     prepared = layout.prepare(context.width, context.height, context.mode)
-    box = prepared.boxes["dots"]
-    values = {"dots": dots.picture(now.hour, now.minute, box.width, box.height)}
+    width, height = prepared.content_size("dots")
+    values = {"dots": dots.picture(now.hour, now.minute, width, height)}
     if "time" in prepared.boxes:
         values["time"] = f"{now:%H:%M}"
     # The time text moves at every update; the same minute gives the same place.
diff --git a/src/paperpi/plugins/dec_binary_clock/layouts.py b/src/paperpi/plugins/dec_binary_clock/layouts.py
index 35e7659..6cf8215 100644
--- a/src/paperpi/plugins/dec_binary_clock/layouts.py
+++ b/src/paperpi/plugins/dec_binary_clock/layouts.py
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@
 FONT = fonts.ANTON
 PADDING = 0.01
 
-#: The picture of the dots. It must keep padding 0 and no border: ``draw`` makes the picture
-#: exactly the size of the whole block, so epdlib doesn't scale it.
+#: The picture of the dots. ``draw`` makes the picture exactly the size of the block's
+#: drawing area, so epdlib doesn't scale it.
 DOTS = {"name": "dots", "type": "image", "size": 8, "fit": "contain", "padding": 0}
 
 LAYOUTS = {
diff --git a/src/paperpi/plugins/splash_screen/__init__.py b/src/paperpi/plugins/splash_screen/__init__.py
index 751682d..54fc584 100644
--- a/src/paperpi/plugins/splash_screen/__init__.py
+++ b/src/paperpi/plugins/splash_screen/__init__.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 from ... import __version__
 from ...plugin import Context, Plugin, PluginSettings, ready
-from .layouts import ADDRESS_BLOCKS, LAYOUTS, PADDING
+from .layouts import ADDRESS_BLOCKS, LAYOUTS
 
 NAME = "PaperPi"
 URL = "https://github.com/txoof/PaperPi"
@@ -146,19 +146,16 @@ def qr_code(address: str, width: int, height: int) -> Image.Image:
 def draw(about: About, context: Context) -> dict:
     layout = PLUGIN.layout(context.layout, context.settings)
     prepared = layout.prepare(context.width, context.height, context.mode)
-    short_side = min(context.width, context.height)
     values = {"name": about.name, "version": about.version}
     address = web_address(about, context.settings.port)
     texts = {"github": about.url, "ip": address or NO_NETWORK}
-    box = prepared.boxes["qr"]
-    if address and box.width > 0 and box.height > 0:
-        values["qr"] = qr_code(address, box.width, box.height)
-    edge = round(PADDING * short_side)
+    width, height = prepared.content_size("qr")
+    if address and width > 0 and height > 0:
+        values["qr"] = qr_code(address, width, height)
     for name in ADDRESS_BLOCKS:
         value = texts.get(name, "")
-        box = prepared.boxes[name]
         o = layout.blocks[name].options
-        width, height = box.width - 2 * edge, box.height - 2 * edge
+        width, height = prepared.content_size(name)
         if value and width > 0 and height > 0:
             size = prepared.font_sizes[name]
             value = fit_address(
diff --git a/src/paperpi/plugins/system_info/__init__.py b/src/paperpi/plugins/system_info/__init__.py
index 1735fca..a33e816 100644
--- a/src/paperpi/plugins/system_info/__init__.py
+++ b/src/paperpi/plugins/system_info/__init__.py
@@ -92,6 +92,20 @@ def draw(info: Info, context: Context) -> Drawn:
     if info.disk_used is not None and info.disk_total:
         disk_share = info.disk_used / info.disk_total
     load_now = info.load[0] if info.load else None
+    # Pictures are drawn at the exact size of their block, so the layout doesn't resize them.
+    layout = PLUGIN.layout(context.layout, settings)
+    prepared = layout.prepare(context.width, context.height, context.mode)
+
+    def bar(name: str, part: float | None, *, upright: bool):
+        width, height = prepared.content_size(name)
+        if width and height:
+            return pictures.bar(part, width, height, ink, paper, upright=upright)
+        return None
+
+    def icon(name: str, draw_icon):
+        side = min(prepared.content_size(name))
+        return draw_icon(side, ink, paper) if side else None
+
     if context.layout == "small":
         values = {"hostname": hostname, "ip": ip, "temp": degrees(info.temperature)}
     elif context.layout == "portrait":
@@ -108,7 +122,7 @@ def draw(info: Info, context: Context) -> Drawn:
             "temp": (share(info.temperature, HOT), degrees(info.temperature)),
         }
         for name, (part, text) in gauges.items():
-            values[f"{name}_bar"] = pictures.bar(part, ink, paper, upright=True)
+            values[f"{name}_bar"] = bar(f"{name}_bar", part, upright=True)
             values[f"{name}_label"] = name
             values[f"{name}_value"] = text
     else:
@@ -117,10 +131,10 @@ def draw(info: Info, context: Context) -> Drawn:
             "hostname": hostname,
             "ip": ip,
             "wifi": wifi,
-            "disk_icon": pictures.disk_icon(ink, paper),
+            "disk_icon": icon("disk_icon", pictures.disk_icon),
             "disk": disk_text(info.disk_used, info.disk_total),
-            "disk_bar": pictures.bar(disk_share, ink, paper, upright=False),
-            "cpu_icon": pictures.chip_icon(ink, paper),
+            "disk_bar": bar("disk_bar", disk_share, upright=False),
+            "cpu_icon": icon("cpu_icon", pictures.chip_icon),
             "cpu": f"{degrees(info.temperature)} · memory {percent(info.memory)}",
             "load": f"load {load}",
             "about": f"{uptime_text(info.uptime)} · PaperPi {info.version}",
diff --git a/src/paperpi/plugins/system_info/pictures.py b/src/paperpi/plugins/system_info/pictures.py
index 8b97afd..68ffc8d 100644
--- a/src/paperpi/plugins/system_info/pictures.py
+++ b/src/paperpi/plugins/system_info/pictures.py
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 """The pictures system_info draws itself: two icons and the bars.
 
-They are drawn in the text colour (``ink``) on the background colour (``paper``). Icons
-are drawn large and scaled down by the layout; bars are stretched to their block.
+They are drawn in the text colour (``ink``) on the background colour (``paper``), at the
+exact size of their block (``content_size``), so the layout never resizes them: resizing
+blurs the edges, and blurred edges show as dots on black-and-white screens.
 """
 
 from PIL import Image, ImageDraw
 
-ICON = 240  # pixels; the layout scales it to fit
+ICON = 240  # the grid the icons are designed on; they are drawn at any size from it
 
 
 def _canvas(width: int, height: int, paper: str) -> tuple[Image.Image, ImageDraw.ImageDraw]:
@@ -14,43 +15,52 @@ def _canvas(width: int, height: int, paper: str) -> tuple[Image.Image, ImageDraw
     return image, ImageDraw.Draw(image)
 
 
-def disk_icon(color: str, paper: str) -> Image.Image:
+def _icon(side: int, paper: str):
+    """A square canvas, and a function that turns grid units (0-240) into its pixels."""
+    image, draw = _canvas(side, side, paper)
+
+    def px(*units: float) -> list[int]:
+        return [round(u * side / ICON) for u in units]
+
+    return image, draw, px
+
+
+def disk_icon(side: int, color: str, paper: str) -> Image.Image:
     """A disk drive seen from the front: a rounded box with two lights."""
-    image, draw = _canvas(ICON, ICON, paper)
-    draw.rounded_rectangle((20, 70, 220, 190), radius=24, fill=color)
-    draw.rectangle((20, 70, 220, 120), fill=color)
-    draw.line((20, 125, 220, 125), fill=paper, width=8)  # gap between top and front
+    image, draw, px = _icon(side, paper)
+    draw.rounded_rectangle(px(20, 70, 220, 190), radius=px(24)[0], fill=color)
+    draw.rectangle(px(20, 70, 220, 120), fill=color)
+    gap = max(1, px(8)[0])  # gap between top and front
+    draw.line(px(20, 125, 220, 125), fill=paper, width=gap)
     for x in (150, 185):
-        draw.rectangle((x, 148, x + 20, 166), fill=paper)
+        draw.rectangle(px(x, 148, x + 20, 166), fill=paper)
     return image
 
 
-def chip_icon(color: str, paper: str) -> Image.Image:
+def chip_icon(side: int, color: str, paper: str) -> Image.Image:
     """A processor chip: a square with pins on every side."""
-    image, draw = _canvas(ICON, ICON, paper)
-    draw.rectangle((50, 50, 190, 190), outline=color, width=18)
-    draw.rectangle((92, 92, 148, 148), fill=color)
+    image, draw, px = _icon(side, paper)
+    draw.rectangle(px(50, 50, 190, 190), outline=color, width=max(1, px(18)[0]))
+    draw.rectangle(px(92, 92, 148, 148), fill=color)
     for p in (78, 120, 162):
-        draw.rectangle((p - 8, 14, p + 8, 50), fill=color)
-        draw.rectangle((p - 8, 190, p + 8, 226), fill=color)
-        draw.rectangle((14, p - 8, 50, p + 8), fill=color)
-        draw.rectangle((190, p - 8, 226, p + 8), fill=color)
+        draw.rectangle(px(p - 8, 14, p + 8, 50), fill=color)
+        draw.rectangle(px(p - 8, 190, p + 8, 226), fill=color)
+        draw.rectangle(px(14, p - 8, 50, p + 8), fill=color)
+        draw.rectangle(px(190, p - 8, 226, p + 8), fill=color)
     return image
 
 
-def bar(share: float | None, color: str, paper: str, *, upright: bool) -> Image.Image:
-    """A bar filled to ``share`` (0-1): an outline, filled from the bottom (upright) or
-    from the left. ``None`` (number not known) gives an empty outline.
-
-    Drawn larger than it will be shown, so the layout only ever shrinks it: enlarging
-    would blur the edges, and blurred edges show as dots on black-and-white screens.
+def bar(
+    share: float | None, width: int, height: int, color: str, paper: str, *, upright: bool
+) -> Image.Image:
+    """A ``width`` x ``height`` bar filled to ``share`` (0-1): an outline, filled from the
+    bottom (upright) or from the left. ``None`` (number not known) gives an empty outline.
     """
     share = 0.0 if share is None else max(0.0, min(1.0, share))
-    long, short, line = 1600, 400, 16
-    width, height = (short, long) if upright else (long, short)
     image, draw = _canvas(width, height, paper)
+    line = max(1, round(min(width, height) * 0.04))
     draw.rectangle((0, 0, width - 1, height - 1), outline=color, width=line)
-    filled = round(long * share)
+    filled = round((height if upright else width) * share)
     if filled and upright:
         draw.rectangle((0, height - filled, width - 1, height - 1), fill=color)
     elif filled:
diff --git a/src/paperpi/plugins/xkcd_comic/__init__.py b/src/paperpi/plugins/xkcd_comic/__init__.py
index 7d381fd..14a443f 100644
--- a/src/paperpi/plugins/xkcd_comic/__init__.py
+++ b/src/paperpi/plugins/xkcd_comic/__init__.py
@@ -165,8 +165,8 @@ def draw(comic: Comic, context: Context) -> dict:
     layout = PLUGIN.layout(context.layout, settings)
     picture = _open(comic.image)
     if not settings.enlarge:
-        box = layout.prepare(context.width, context.height, context.mode).boxes["comic"]
-        picture = keep_size(picture, box.width, box.height)
+        prepared = layout.prepare(context.width, context.height, context.mode)
+        picture = keep_size(picture, *prepared.content_size("comic"))
     title = f"{comic.number}: {comic.title}" if comic.title else str(comic.number)
     values = {"comic": picture, "title": title, "alt": comic.alt}
     return {name: value for name, value in values.items() if name in layout.blocks}
diff --git a/src/paperpi/plugins/xkcd_comic/layouts.py b/src/paperpi/plugins/xkcd_comic/layouts.py
index fc6812f..2c3fe34 100644
--- a/src/paperpi/plugins/xkcd_comic/layouts.py
+++ b/src/paperpi/plugins/xkcd_comic/layouts.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 """Layouts for xkcd_comic. The first one is the default.
 
-Blocks: ``comic`` (the picture), ``title`` and ``alt`` (the comic's hover text). The comic
-block has no padding: the plugin needs its exact size to leave small comics at their own
-size (see ``enlarge`` in ``__init__.py``). The text samples are a long title and a long
+Blocks: ``comic`` (the picture), ``title`` and ``alt`` (the comic's hover text). The plugin
+reads the comic block's exact size to leave small comics at their own size (see
+``enlarge`` in ``__init__.py``). The text samples are a long title and a long
 hover text, so the font size stays the same for most comics; longer texts get smaller
 (``shrink``). The title is in Lato Bold and the hover text in Lato Italic, as in v1.
 """
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-full-5in65.png b/tests/images/system_info-full-5in65.png
index 4ef3712..c282c44 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-full-5in65.png and b/tests/images/system_info-full-5in65.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-full-7in5.png b/tests/images/system_info-full-7in5.png
index ff8c053..4219bac 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-full-7in5.png and b/tests/images/system_info-full-7in5.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-full-9in7.png b/tests/images/system_info-full-9in7.png
index 31a263a..59e9d80 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-full-9in7.png and b/tests/images/system_info-full-9in7.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-5in65.png b/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-5in65.png
index 8e836f3..a27c380 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-5in65.png and b/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-5in65.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-7in5.png b/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-7in5.png
index 12627e1..55c54ba 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-7in5.png and b/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-7in5.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-9in7.png b/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-9in7.png
index 0f0936e..74cf23d 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-9in7.png and b/tests/images/system_info-full-inverse-9in7.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-5in65.png b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-5in65.png
index 7d4927d..8488258 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-5in65.png and b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-5in65.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-7in5.png b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-7in5.png
index 2f0d9b1..eb01713 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-7in5.png and b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-7in5.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-9in7.png b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-9in7.png
index 6eccd58..1317937 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-9in7.png and b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-9in7.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-5in65.png b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-5in65.png
index f961f41..9b16578 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-5in65.png and b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-5in65.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-7in5.png b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-7in5.png
index 3dfcf6f..1d64f80 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-7in5.png and b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-7in5.png differ
diff --git a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-9in7.png b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-9in7.png
index 6b16f00..eb61977 100644
Binary files a/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-9in7.png and b/tests/images/system_info-portrait-inverse-9in7.png differ
diff --git a/tests/test_system_info.py b/tests/test_system_info.py
index f90910a..91fbdef 100644
--- a/tests/test_system_info.py
+++ b/tests/test_system_info.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 import pytest
 from epdlib import ScreenMode
+from PIL import Image
 
 from paperpi.plugin import Context, draw_update
 from paperpi.plugins.system_info import (
@@ -115,7 +116,8 @@ def test_memory_without_available(root):
     ],
 )
 def test_bars(share, upright, dark_at):
-    image = pictures.bar(share, "black", "white", upright=upright).convert("L")
+    width, height = (400, 1600) if upright else (1600, 400)
+    image = pictures.bar(share, width, height, "black", "white", upright=upright).convert("L")
     middle_top = image.getpixel((image.width // 2, image.height // 4))
     if dark_at:
         assert image.getpixel(dark_at) == 0
@@ -123,6 +125,34 @@ def test_bars(share, upright, dark_at):
         assert middle_top == 255  # an empty outline
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("layout", ["full", "portrait"])
+def test_pictures_have_their_blocks_exact_size(layout):
+    """Bars and icons are drawn at their block's size, so the layout never resizes them."""
+    ctx = context(layout)
+    prepared = PLUGIN.layout(layout, ctx.settings).prepare(ctx.width, ctx.height, ctx.mode)
+    pictures_drawn = {
+        name: value
+        for name, value in draw(PLUGIN.sample, ctx).values.items()
+        if isinstance(value, Image.Image)
+    }
+    assert pictures_drawn
+    for name, picture in pictures_drawn.items():
+        width, height = prepared.content_size(name)
+        if name.endswith("_icon"):
+            assert picture.size == (min(width, height),) * 2
+        else:
+            assert picture.size == (width, height)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("draw_icon", [pictures.disk_icon, pictures.chip_icon])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("side", [1, 7, 240])
+def test_icons_at_any_size(draw_icon, side):
+    icon = draw_icon(side, "black", "white")
+    assert icon.size == (side, side)
+    if side > 1:
+        assert icon.convert("L").getextrema() == (0, 255)
+
+
 def test_disk_used_and_free_add_up(tmp_path):
     used, total = readers.disk(tmp_path)
     assert 0 < used <= total
diff --git a/uv.lock b/uv.lock
index 791e521..a460884 100644
--- a/uv.lock
+++ b/uv.lock
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ wheels = [
 [[package]]
 name = "epdlib"
 version = "1.0.0.dev0"
-source = { git = "https://github.com/txoof/epdlib?rev=b4dd600b35959c26fd235fe1af6be94e49fcc0db#b4dd600b35959c26fd235fe1af6be94e49fcc0db" }
+source = { git = "https://github.com/txoof/epdlib?rev=4633fcad64cf5b99a6ea7a513fa6bcf497c28a79#4633fcad64cf5b99a6ea7a513fa6bcf497c28a79" }
 dependencies = [
     { name = "pillow" },
 ]
@@ -328,8 +328,8 @@ dev = [
 
 [package.metadata]
 requires-dist = [
-    { name = "epdlib", git = "https://github.com/txoof/epdlib?rev=b4dd600b35959c26fd235fe1af6be94e49fcc0db" },
-    { name = "epdlib", extras = ["it8951"], marker = "sys_platform == 'linux'", git = "https://github.com/txoof/epdlib?rev=b4dd600b35959c26fd235fe1af6be94e49fcc0db" },
+    { name = "epdlib", git = "https://github.com/txoof/epdlib?rev=4633fcad64cf5b99a6ea7a513fa6bcf497c28a79" },
+    { name = "epdlib", extras = ["it8951"], marker = "sys_platform == 'linux'", git = "https://github.com/txoof/epdlib?rev=4633fcad64cf5b99a6ea7a513fa6bcf497c28a79" },
     { name = "fastapi", specifier = ">=0.115" },
     { name = "jinja2", specifier = ">=3.1" },
     { name = "pydantic", specifier = ">=2.9" },