Inkly is a vibrant new app that allows you to create and send handwritten cards straight from your iPad or iPhone to anywhere in the world.
Generically typed online cards can give an emotionless, mechanised finish to what should be a personal message. Inkly aims to restore the practise of handwritten cards through a clever and beautifully simple app. The patent-pending technology promises the handwritten printed message looks as good as the real thing so the recipient would not know the difference.
How does it work?
- Choose your card from the vast selection of innovative crowdsourced designs from the Inkly app.
- Grab a pen, write your message on a piece of paper and photograph it with your devise’s camera or if you have a stylus for your iPad you can write directly onto your virtual card.
- Smart technology transfers only your handwritten message and puts it inside your chosen card. Then pinch it, zoom it or rotate it to scale.
- Pay just £2.99 plus 49p first class postage (cheaper than a first class stamp: 60p!) and your handwritten card is printed and sent off for delivery.
Whilst the app is currently only available on the iPhone and iPad there is an Android version on the way. The app is available worldwide but cards are currently only printed in the UK, however they are setting up printing locations in the US and Australia.
There are 1300 charming, high quality cards designs to choose from that are created by independent artists, designers and publishers from all over the world. It is also worth noting that a percentage of the sales go directly back to the artist who created it. Their stock even includes some of the best-selling designs from Waitrose and Marks & Spencer’s cards, as well as popular fine art prints. Additionally, you can produce a more distinctive piece of artwork by uploading your own personal photos.
A particularly clever aspect of the Inkly app is that it can be integrated with your Facebook account so you are alerted to upcoming birthdays and events, meaning there is no reason to miss an important occasion again. It will even save addresses, so when the next occasion comes around, you’ll be ready.
The app is exceptionally easy to use with a clear step-by-step guide and the final result through the letterbox is impressive. You may begin sceptical about the quality of the handwritten message and their bold claim that the print would not be distinguishable from an actual handwritten one, however the results are excellent.
The iPhone and iPad app are available for free at www.inkly.com . You can also share your thoughts and follow on Twitter and Facebook .
Review by Rebecca O’Rourke
