diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 758cdbe..7991ecf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -121,6 +121,17 @@ Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
 
 You should see a plot!
 
+### image mimetype support
+
+If you want to display a wider variety of objects using ipython's mimetype capturing, load our bundled ipython extension:
+
+```ipython
+$ %load_ext itermplot.ipython
+$ from PIL import Image
+$ Image.open("my_cool_image.png")
+# your image should be displayed
+```
+
 ## Uninstall
 
 You can disable this backend by unsetting the `MPLBACKEND` environment variable.
diff --git a/itermplot/__init__.py b/itermplot/__init__.py
index f95de5c..4703bfe 100644
--- a/itermplot/__init__.py
+++ b/itermplot/__init__.py
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ def rev(c):
         return x
 
 
-def imgcat(data, fn="plot.pdf"):
+def imgcat(data: bytes, fn="plot.pdf"):
     """Output the image data to the iTerm2 console. If `lines` is greater
     than zero then advance the console `lines` number of blank lines, move
     back, and then output the image. This is the default behaviour if TMUX
diff --git a/itermplot/ipython/__init__.py b/itermplot/ipython/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1f08e05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/itermplot/ipython/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+"""
+ipython extensions for image output handling.
+e.g.
+
+```ipython
+%load_ext itermplot.ipython
+```
+
+implemented based on https://ipython.readthedocs.io/en/stable/config/shell_mimerenderer.html
+"""
+
+from .. import imgcat
+
+
+def register_mimerenderer(ipython, mime, handler):
+    ipython.display_formatter.active_types.append(mime)
+    ipython.display_formatter.formatters[mime].enabled = True
+    ipython.mime_renderers[mime] = handler
+
+
+def imgcat_factory(fn):
+    def _wrapper(img, _):
+        if isinstance(img, bytes):
+            return imgcat(img, fn=fn)
+        elif hasattr(img, "read"):
+            return imgcat(img.read(), fn=fn)
+        elif isinstance(img, str):
+            return imgcat(img.encode(), fn=fn)
+        else:
+            raise ValueError(
+                "imgcat only accepts bytes, file-like objects, and strings"
+            )
+
+    return _wrapper
+
+
+def load_ipython_extension(ipython):
+    register_mimerenderer(ipython, "image/png", imgcat_factory(fn="img.png"))
+    register_mimerenderer(ipython, "image/jpeg", imgcat_factory(fn="img.jpg"))