stillmail. logo

stillmail.

minimalist email app for friends to send digital letters

2026-01-09

Product Introduction

  1. Definition: stillmail is a digital correspondence platform (SaaS category) that simulates traditional letter-writing. It enables users to compose, format, and send stylized digital letters mimicking physical stationery.
  2. Core Value Proposition: It solves digital communication fatigue by promoting mindful, heartfelt correspondence through customizable tactile elements, targeting users seeking meaningful connections beyond instant messaging.

Main Features

  1. Customizable Stationery Design:

    • How it works: Users select paper texture (e.g., linen, parchment), ink color (hex-code supported), and envelope designs via a CSS-powered editor. Output renders as a responsive HTML email.
    • Technology: Vector-based SVG for scalable stationery elements, coupled with CSS filters for texture simulation.
  2. Analog Writing Simulation:

    • How it works: Typing animations replicate fountain-pen ink flow, with adjustable "drying time" to discourage rushed drafting. Auto-saves drafts to cloud storage (Firebase backend).
    • Technology: Canvas API for real-time ink rendering and WebSockets for draft synchronization.
  3. Asynchronous Delivery Scheduling:

    • How it works: Letters are queued for 24-72 hour delivery, emulating postal delays. Recipients receive a curated email with interactive stationery.
    • Technology: Node.js cron jobs for timed delivery and Postmark API for email rendering.

Problems Solved

  1. Pain Point: Replaces impersonal digital chats with emotionally resonant communication, countering notification fatigue and superficial interactions.
  2. Target Audience:
    • Nostalgia enthusiasts (35-65 age group)
    • Therapists using written reflection exercises
    • Long-distance couples seeking romantic gestures
    • Educators teaching epistolary writing
  3. Use Cases:
    • Sending condolence letters with muted ink/paper tones
    • Creating vintage-style wedding invitations
    • Journaling with self-addressed future letters

Unique Advantages

  1. Differentiation: Unlike email clients (Gmail, Outlook) or card-sending services (Paperless Post), stillmail focuses exclusively on replicating the sensory ritual of handwriting—no templates, only bespoke stationery.
  2. Key Innovation: Patented "Ink Physics Engine" dynamically adjusts letter opacity/spacing based on typing speed, authentically mimicking fountain-pen behavior unavailable in competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Can stillmail letters be printed as physical mail?
    No, stillmail is a digital-only experience focused on simulating letter-writing aesthetics via email delivery.
  2. What email clients support stillmail's interactive stationery?
    Letters render universally via embedded SVGs, compatible with Gmail, Apple Mail, and Outlook (WebKit/Blink engines).
  3. How does stillmail ensure privacy for sensitive letters?
    All drafts use end-to-end encryption (AES-256), and data is purged from servers 72 hours after delivery.
  4. Is stillmail suitable for business correspondence?
    Yes, professionals use its formal parchment/black-ink preset for contracts or personalized outreach, avoiding generic PDFs.

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