Sending handwritten letters by snail mail may be a thing of the past, but postal systems are evolving to keep up with tech-savvy consumers who shop online and prefer the convenience of sending and receiving digital mail.
Physical letters and envelopes are now becoming more enticing to send, thanks to special scents, flavors and features like built-in QR codes that connect recipient and sender. Connecting givers and receivers is also proving to be a popular theme in other snail mail innovations like the mail-based Real Network by the Royal Mail Group, Snail Mail My Email and the Omni Present gift-wrapping system.
Physical mail is also becoming easier to collect with parcel pickup shops set up in UK train stations, drones being tested by French mail service La Poste, as well as apps like Mr. Postman and Postybell.
35 Snail Mail Innovations
Traditional Postal Systems Invent New Ways to Ship Physical Mail:
Laura McQuarrie — May 13, 2015 — Lifestyle
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DIY Postal Sachets
The Brit & Co. Duct Tape Envelopes are a Funky Way to Send Mail
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Eco-Friendly Postal Packages
The Sendbag Concept Gives the Envelope an Extended Life
33
Romantic Mail Trucks
The Veuve Clicquot Mail Truck Revives the Art of Handwriting
32
Telephoning Gift Wrapping
Omni Present Device Calls Up the Sender to Deliver a Real-Time Greeting
31
Handwritten Postal Garments
fukutegami Sends Clothing in the Mail with Messages
30
Customizable Cookie Messages
Japan's Cookie Mail is a Delicious Way to Send Cookie Gifts
29
Advanced Digital Snail Mail
Outbox Scans and Sends Paper Parcels Digitally
28
Parcel Delivery Drones
The GeoDrone is Being Tested By French Mail Service La Poste
27
Snail Mail Packaging
Lather Me Soap Sports a Girly Envelope Wrapper
26
Mailman Menswear Bags
The DURKL x Ortlieb Messenger Backpack is Postal-Themed
25
3D-Printed Postal Objects
The Royal Mail Creates & Sells Knickknacks with a 3D Printing Service
24
Train Station Mail Services
The Doddle Trial Parcel Shop is for Multitasking Commuters in the UK
23
Fragrant Mail Campaigns
This Facebook Tea Promotion Campaign Mails Out Letters & a Matching Scent
22
Sweet Mouthwatering Mailers
Flavorlopes Makes Sealing Letters Fun and Fruity
21
Nostalgic Message-Sending Services
Snail Mail My Email Allows People to Experience an Old Feeling
20
Snail Mail Beer Campaigns
Heineken Urges People to 'Spark Your Holidays' with Handwritten Notes
19
Modern Mail Mobiles
The Posten Pod Mail Delivery Vehicle Improves Ergonomics and Efficiency
18
Autonomous Mail Drop Boxes
Swapbox is an Automated Post Office for Secure Sending and Receiving
17
Retro Mailing Services
Apple iCards Hope to Revitalize the Dying Physical Postal Industry
16
Airbourne Snail Mail
The Flying Letter Allows you to Send Notes in Style
15
Compact Mailbox Sensors
The Gate Smart Mailbox Prevents Mail Theft
14
Pre-Recorded Snail Mail
Video Message Greeting Cards Pack ten Minutes of Mushiness into 95 Grams
13
WiFi-Enabled Mailboxes
The Mr. Postman Mailbox is App-Connected for Instant Alerts
12
Reusable Delivery Packaging
The RePack System Encourages Consumers to Return Their Used Envelopes
11
Video Postage Stamps
The Australia Post's Unique Postage Stamp Lets You Send a Video
10
Patriotic Mail Makeovers
The United States Postal Service's New USPS Packages Are Modern
9
Literal Carrier Pigeons
The LWA Pigeon Post Scheme Brings Wings to the Concept of Snail Mail
8
Engine Exhaust Envelopes
These D-Bros Tearable Envelopes are "Fume-tastic"
7
Cartoon Sponge-Edition Mailboxes
Nickelodeon Transformed USPS Mailboxes to Encourage Kids to Write
6
Snail Mail Train Rides
The Mail Rail Musem Will Let Passengers Retrace Mail Train Routes
5
Modern Mailbox-Alerting Memos
This Nifty Mailbox Sensor Brings Snail Mail Into the Digital Age
4
Indestructible Snail Mail
The MIRO Post Card Puts Your Memories to Metal for Damage-Proof Messages
3
Physically Produced Emails
Ivan Cash Will Mail Out Your Emails for Free with 'Snail Mail my Email'
2
Palatable Cocoa Postage
The Belgium Chocolate Stamps Offer a Tasty Treat for Mailers
1
Smokey Swine Snail Mail
The MMMMvelopes Are a Bacon-Flavored Treat
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Groundbreaking Sticker Technology
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Nostalgic Flip Phone Concepts
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Paper-Made Chocolate Packaging
Nestlé Quality Street Tubs are Being Trialled in a New Format
Emerging Technology Publications
New Society Has Launched Its Inaugural Book About Technology
Artistic Lamppost EV Chargers
The Voltpost Provides Easy Access to EV Charging
Virtual Holiday Shopping Experiences
Amazon Introduces a New Holiday Shop with 3D Technology
Notebook-Equipped Smartphone Accessories
The MOFT Snap Flow Keeps Pen, Paper and More on Hand
IoT Package Delivery Pods
The hyve Home Delivery Pod Thwarts Porch Pirates at CES 2025
AI-Generated Festive Greetings
CloneMe.io Sends Messages from Santa, Mrs. Claus and Elves
Vibrant Snack Packaging Designs
Cooper Street Snacks Has Unveiled a New Packaging Design
Recycled Paper Packaging Solutions
Flexi-Hex Aims to Protect Packaged Items with Rippled Paper
Sausage Snack ATMs
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AI-Powered Recycling Systems
The Conceptual 'Binko' Recycling Machine Automates Sorting
Holographic Fragrance Installations
The Perfume Shop Stores Incorporate Holographic Technology
AI-Powered Email Assistant
Mailmaestro Ensures That Key Messages are Highlighted
Paper-Packaged Chocolate Bars
Walkers Chocolates Switched to 100% Recyclable Packaging
AR Shopping Malls
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Squid-Inspired Packaging
Squid-Inspired Packaging Revolutionizes Temperature Control
Paper-Based Potato Chip Packaging
Pringles Packaging Now Has a Paper Base Instead of a Metal One
Modern Gifting Services
Fresh Sends Reinvents Flower Delivery & Gift-Giving for a New Generation
Romantic On-Demand Gift Deliveries
Minted and DoorDash Have Partnered for On-Demand Delivery
Cannery-Inspired Phone Boxes
LookUp Makes Digital Detox Tools in the Shape of Fish Tins
Repurposed Pasta Boxes
Barilla & Marie Kondo are Sharing How to Reuse Packaging
Recycled Plastic Condiment Packaging
Plastipak and Kraft Heinz Announced a New Partnership
Recyclable eCommerce Packaging
This New Amazon Packaging is Paper-Made and Arriving in the UK
Recyclable Paper-Made Coffee Packaging
JDE Peet's is Rolling Out Recyclable Coffee Packaging
Paper-Made Porridge Packaging
Quaker Porridge Pots are Now Made with Paper for Easy Recycling
Light-Blocking Packaging Sleeves
Brook + Whittle's Patented GreenLabel BlockOut is Recyclable
Transformative Pizza Box Tables
Pizza Hut Introduces the Moving Box Table Packaging
Air Fryer-Friendly Product Packaging
The PaperSeal Shape Tray Replaces Plastic Alternatives
Connected Package Delivery Safes
The Latest 'DoorBox' Smart Delivery Box Debuted at CES 2025
Thematic Postal Stamp Collections
The U.S. Postal Service Debuts Stamp Releases for 2025
Paper-Made Shrink Wrap Packaging
The 'TrayWrap' Paper Solution is Plastic-Free
Digital Currency Piggy Banks
This 'Smart Piggy' Bank Concept Upgrades a Classic
Digitized Retail Shelf Labels
Lidl GB is Rolling Out Electronic Shelf Labels to All Its Stores
Phygital Business Cards
Linq x Moo Paper Cards Merge Quality Prints with Digital Technology
AI-Powered Gift-Wrapping Tools
The Food Group Has Introduced the Holiday GiftWraptor
Portable Selfie Printer Systems
Canon Introduces its New Selphy QX20 Printer On the Go
Inventive Retail Strategies
H&M is Working to Localize Its Shopping Experience
Personal Care Refill Solutions
Zero Co Unveils its New Paper-Based Refill System
Recyclable Hardware Packaging
Nokia is Adopting Lighter Recyclable Packaging for Circularity
Japanese Bento-Inspired Stationery
NOOE's Bento Jot Offers an Efficient Storage Solution
Shopping Basket Voting Systems
WWF Japan Engages Shoppers on Sustainability in a Novel Way
Digital Memory Keepers
BlissBox Collects and Preserves Messages, Photos, and Memories Digitally
Sticky Note Printers
Mangoslab's Nemonic Gen 2 Brings Memo Making to a New Generation
Festive Airline Post Boxes
easyJet's Letters to Santa Campaign Supports Traveling Families
AI-Driven Messaging Platforms
Movable Ink Has Introduced Significant Enhancements to Da Vinci
Canned Refill Systems
Meadow Invites Brands Offer Refills in Aluminium Cans
Thematic Journaling Stamps
The Tsuki ‘Lunar Delivery Bullet Journal Stamp Set' has 14 Wood Stamps
Freshness-Extending Food Packaging
SAVRpak Offers an Innovative Solution to Combat Food Waste
Space Communication Innovations
Intuitive Machines Has Expanded Its Role in Space Communications
E-Waste Take-Back Boxes
Trashie's Tech Take Back Box Responsibly Recycles Electronic Devices
Instant Film Smartphone Printers
The FUJIFILM Instax Mini Link 3 Was Created with Google
Email Marketing Tracking Platforms
'Mailboard' Helps Marketers Track Competitors and More
Temperature-Monitoring Smart Shipping Labels
Reelables Debuts the 5G Cellular Label Technology
Connected Authentication Mailboxes
The Custo 1 Smart Mailbox Requires Authorization to Open
Baguette-Scented Stamps
La Poste Created Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps Inspired by a Beloved Baked Good
Paper-Based Appliance Packaging
Phillips Home Appliance Products are Repackaged Using DS Smith
Customized Corporate Chocolate Gifts
Bitzel's Chocolate Introduced New Gifting Options
Phygital Greeting Cards
Hallmark Gift Card Greetings Combines Physical and Digital Gifting
Recyclable Paper Packaging Initiatives
Walmart is Swapping to Recyclable Packaging on All Channels
Cost-Saving Newsletter Subscriptions
SESnap Can Send Out Emails at a Fraction of the Cost
AI Posthumous Digital Communication
ContinYou Sends Messages to Loved Ones After Their Passing
Recycling Advocate Holograms
HypnoCat is Promoting the Great Cable Challenge in Waterloo Station
Durable Automated Mailers
Pregis Introduces the EverTec™ Automated Mailer
Connected Fragrance Bottles
Two Bastille Fragrances are Now Bottled with Links to Digital Twins
Imperfect Produce Subscriptions
Odd Bunch Delivers Oddly Shaped Produce to Consumers' Doors
Authentic AI-Powered Travel Experiences
Tailbox is an AI Travel Tool Offering Personalized Trips
Sustainable QSR Dessert Packaging
McDonald's Creates Eco-Friendly McFlurry Packaging
Pizza-Gifting Doormats
Pizza Hut's Reverse Delivery Doormat Gifts Pizza to Delivery Drivers
Edible Seaweed-Based Packaging
Handtmann Has Launched the Pioneering ConProSachet System
Pizza Box Resume Deliveries
Pizza Hut's ResZAmes Optimizes the September Surge of Job Opps
Sustainable Toilet Blocks
Harpic Launches Self-Sticking Toilet Blocks to Reduce Plastic Waste
Artful Wedding Stationery
The Minted x The Met Wedding Collection Makes Masterpieces Customizable
Festive Pet Letter Campaigns
Chewy Claus Accepts Holiday Wishes from Pets
Paper-Made Confectionery Bags
Saica Group and Mondelez Launch a New Sustainable Multipack Solution
Nostalgic Art-Inspired Postal Stamps
The New USPS Stamps Celebrate Art and Pop Culture
AI-Powered CCTV Systems
Amazon Unveils a New Emotion-Detecting AI Software for Train Passengers
Plastic-Cutting Retail Initiatives
Amazon is Cutting Its Plastic Use in North America
Modernized Rose Delivery Services
Rose Rush Wants to Bring Back the Glamour of Sending Roses
Convenient Online Greeting Cards
Happy Tree Cards Makes Online Cards a More Collaborative Process
Toy-Inspired Postal Service Partnerships
USPS & Toys“R”Us Enhance the Operation Santa Program
Advanced Printing Techniques
BrandMyDispo Has Introduced Printing Techniques for Custom Mylar Bags
Valentine's-Ready Personalized Gifts
Wolt Launches New Personalized Gifts for its Shoppers
Environmental Smart Packaging
iQRcode from BOTTA EcoPackaging Ensures Products Meet Standards
Sustainable Crisp Bags
The British Crisp Co. Debuts the First Fully Recyclable Paper Crisp Packet
Paper Sampling Containers
Arcade Beauty Debuts a Paper-Based Sampling Solution for Beauty Products
Immersive Greeting Card Pop-Ups
The Anything Roots Post Shares the Magic of Handwritten Cards
Connection-Focused Postal Holiday Campaigns
La Poste's Secret Santa Connects French Villages
Sticky Notes Holder Concepts
This Post-it Note Holder Concept has a Tall Structure
Space-Themed Postal Stamps
The US Postal Service Showcases Two New Priority Mail Stamps
Custom Holiday Ornaments
Staples Print Services Make Custom Gifting Easy
Holiday-Inspired Stamp Designs
The U.S. Postal Service Gears Up to Reveal the 2024 Holiday Stamps
Retro Phone-Inspired Label Makers
102 Design Lab Presents the Vintage Phone Labeling Machine
Digital Gifting Platforms
On Me Makes the Traditional Gift Card Experience Modern & Personal
Bubblegum-Scented Kitchen Rolls
Millions Sweets Launches Scented Toilet and Kitchen Roll
Digital Retailer Gifting Options
Hallmark Gift Card Greetings Includes Over 100 Stores and Brands
Quirky eCard Platforms
Happiepages Has an Online Celebratory Card for Any Occassion
E-Commerce Logistics Services
Wish Launches a Small Parcel Delivery Service for Shippers
Handwritten Digital Messaging
Lettre.app Connects Users with Penpals Through Handwritten Messages
Voice-Enabled Digital Paper Tools
Marvin Quickens the Process of Interacting with Complex Papers
Greeting Card Kiosks
Ink'd Greetings Help Customers Create Customized Well-Wishes
Accessible Delivery Boxes
AusPost Launches a Parcel Locker Drop-Off Service for Failed Deliveries
South African Delivery Launches
Shoprite Now Offers Online and Bulk Delivery for South Africans
Luggage-Tracking Airline Services
Virgin Australia Enhances its Bag Tracking Feature for Guests
Recyclable Cover Papers
Saputo Dairy UK is Transitioning its Spreadable Covers to Paper-Based
Sustainable Pop Album Packaging
Billie Eilish is Releasing an Eco-Friendly Album Design
Visual Email Newsletters
PencilBooth is a Newsletter That Prioritizes Images Over Text
Christmas Carols-Inspired Mail Stamps
Royal Mail Presents its New Festive Stamp Collection
Sustainable Gut Testing Kits
Chuckling Goat Unveils a Gut Health Test with Sustainable Packaging
Origami-Inspired Porcelain Art
Saori Matsushita Creates a New Range of Porcelain Pieces
Connected Smart Litter Boxes
The Els Pet Self-Cleaning Litter Box Links with a User-Friendly App
Convenient Candy Delivery Services
Sweet Delivery Co. Handles the Logistics of Sending Sweets
Card-Sending App Features
Moonpig's Dating Game Invites its Users to Send Love Letters to Matches
Unread Message Consolidation Tools
BriefInbox Converts Unread Messages into a Daily Newsletter
Modern Business Card Scanners
Spreadly Scan Brings Networking to the Modern Age
Anonymous Letter Sending
Letters is a Charming Tool Allowing People to Send Letters in Secret
Online Tip Collecting
Tipsme Changes the Way Individuals and Businesses Collect Tips
HIPAA-Compliant Email Platforms
MailHippo Sits at the Intersection of Tech and Healthcare
Audio Newsletters
beehiiv's Audio Newsletters Enhances the Digestibility of Email Content
Receipt Management Tools
Turn Paper Receipts into Categorized Spending Insights with Snapceipt
AI Email Helpers
Superhuman AI Will Craft Emails in Your Tone of Voice
Texting Publication Services
'My Forever Books' Turns Texts into Printed Books
Summarized Personal Podcast Solutions
Jellypod Will Scan Emails and Make a Personalized Podcast
Phone-Based User-Targeted Campaigns
PlugSMS Helps Users Launch Campaigns From Their Phones
Turtles-Inspired Stamp Designs
The U.S. Postal Service Released Protect Sea Turtles Forever
Personalized Heartfelt Digital Greetings
Merrygram Emerges as a More Meaningful Alternative
Digital International Move Support
Country Out Helps People Get Organized Before a Big Move
Email Outreach Programs
Cold Email Outreach Uses Gmail to Engage More Potential Clients
Complimentary Cookie Courier Campaigns
Free Insomnia Cookies are Being Offered to Delivery Persons
AI Love Letters
LoveLeetr Uses AI to Produce Sentimental Messages
AI Email Deliverability
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On-Demand Postage Stamps
myiStamp is Disrupting Mail and Shippering Operations for the Better