The digital ink system receives digital ink input from a user and analyzes the digital ink input to collect ink stroke data for the various ink strokes that make up the digital ink. The digital ink system also receives an animation type selection that describes a manner in which the digital ink is to be displayed. The animation type is a dynamic display type, which is display type in which the digital ink changes while the digital ink is displayed. The ink strokes of the digital ink input are displayed using the selected animation type, and are also stored along with the animation type in a digital ink container for subsequent display. The digital ink can be subsequently displayed using the animation type or using a static display type in which the digital ink appears to be stationary while the digital ink is displayed.