Key Takeaways
- Schedule letters up to 18 months ahead — Plan birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions in advance
- We handle the timing — Your letter is mailed at the optimal time to arrive on your chosen date
- Just $0.50 extra — Small price for peace of mind and perfect timing
- Works for any occasion — Birthdays, anniversaries, goals, predictions, encouragement letters
- Set it and forget it — No calendar reminders needed
What Is Scheduled Sending?
Scheduled sending lets you write a letter today and have it mailed at a future date. You choose when you want it to arrive, and we handle the rest.
Unlike digital scheduling (emails, calendar reminders), this is physical mail. Your letter is printed and mailed via Canada Post or international postal services to arrive as close to your chosen date as possible.
How It Works
- Write your letter — Create your message on PostPal
- Choose "Schedule for later" — Found in Premium Options on the preview page
- Pick your delivery date — Any date up to 18 months from today
- We mail it at the right time — Accounting for postal delivery times
Your letter is stored securely until it's time to print and mail it.
When to Use Scheduled Sending
Scheduled sending is perfect for any situation where timing matters or you want to plan ahead.
Birthday Cards
Never forget a birthday again. Write all your birthday cards in January and schedule them throughout the year. Each card arrives on time without you having to remember.
Pro tip: Schedule cards to arrive 1-2 days before the birthday for maximum impact.
Anniversary Letters
Write a letter to your partner on your anniversary to be opened next year. Capture your feelings now while they're fresh, then surprise them 365 days later.
Letters to Your Future Self
Write predictions, goals, and reflections to yourself. Schedule delivery for 6 months, 1 year, or even 18 months from now. When it arrives, you'll have a powerful moment of self-reflection.
Goal Accountability
Write a letter about a goal you're setting—losing weight, learning a skill, finishing a project. Schedule it to arrive when you expect to have achieved it. Future you will have to answer to past you.
Encouragement for Hard Times
Know someone going through a difficult period? Schedule a series of encouraging letters to arrive over the coming months. They'll receive unexpected support exactly when they need it.
Holiday Cards
Write your holiday cards in October when you have time. Schedule them all to arrive the week before Christmas. No December rush.
How to Schedule a Letter (Step-by-Step)
Here's exactly how to use the Schedule for later feature:
Step 1: Write Your Letter
Go to PostPal's send page and enter your sender and recipient information. Write your letter as you normally would.
Step 2: Review Your Letter
Proceed to the Preview page where you can review all the details.
Step 3: Open Premium Options
On the preview page, click on Premium Options to expand it.
Step 4: Enable "Schedule for later"
Check the box next to "Schedule for later". This adds $0.50 to your order.
Step 5: Pick Your Delivery Date
Select the date you want your letter to arrive. You can schedule up to 18 months in advance. The minimum is tomorrow.
Step 6: Complete Your Order
Proceed to payment. Once paid, your letter is confirmed and will be mailed at the optimal time.
That's it! Your letter will arrive on or around your chosen date.
How We Handle Delivery Timing
We don't just mail your letter on your chosen date—we mail it before that date to account for postal delivery times.
Domestic Mail (Within Canada)
Canada Post typically delivers within 2-4 business days. We mail your letter 3-5 business days before your chosen date.
International Mail
Delivery times vary by country (typically 6-10 business days). We allow extra time for international letters to arrive close to your target date.
Important Notes
- Postal services don't guarantee delivery dates, so arrival is approximate
- We optimize timing based on typical delivery patterns
- Holidays and postal disruptions may affect delivery
- For critical dates, consider scheduling a few days early
What Does It Cost?
Scheduling a letter for future delivery adds $0.50 CAD to your order.
Example Pricing
- Domestic letter, scheduled: $6.00 + $0.50 = $6.50 CAD
- International letter, scheduled: $12.00 + $0.50 = $12.50 CAD
The $0.50 fee covers the additional handling and secure storage of your letter until it's time to mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a scheduled letter?
Contact us before the letter is printed and we can help you make changes or cancel the order.
What if the recipient moves?
If you learn of an address change before the letter is mailed, contact us to update it. Once mailed, postal forwarding services may redirect it.
Can I cancel a scheduled letter?
Yes, you can cancel any scheduled letter before it's been printed and mailed. Contact support for assistance.
How far in advance can I schedule?
Up to 18 months from today. Perfect for planning ahead but not so far that life circumstances might change drastically.
Do you store my letter securely?
Yes. Your letter content is encrypted and stored securely until it's time to print. Only our printing system accesses it at mail time.
What happens if I forget I scheduled a letter?
That's actually the magic! Many people intentionally "forget" about their scheduled letters (especially letters to future selves). The surprise when it arrives is part of the experience.
Creative Ideas for Scheduled Letters
Here are some ways people use scheduled sending:
- New Year's reflection: Write on January 1st, schedule for December 31st
- Birthday to birthday: Write on your birthday, receive it on your next one
- Wedding anniversary countdown: Schedule 12 letters for monthly delivery leading up to your anniversary
- Graduation gift: Write a letter to a graduating student, schedule for 1 year after graduation
- New baby: Write letters to a newborn to be delivered on their 1st, 5th, or 18th birthday
- Predictions: Write your predictions for the year, schedule for 12 months later
- Thank you in advance: Thank someone for their support in a difficult time, schedule for when you expect to be in a better place
Schedule Your First Letter
Ready to send a letter to the future? It takes just a few minutes.
Or explore our letter templates for inspiration on what to write.
