Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we hear often about paper letters, and a few about the site and Reply Tray itself.
Why does the fold of a letter matter at all?
A fold determines how the letter sits in its envelope and which side is seen first when it's opened. A tri-fold hides the body until the reader chooses to unfold it fully; a bifold shows more at a glance. It's a small decision that shapes the first few seconds of reading.
What paper weight is normal for a personal letter?
Most personal stationery runs 90 to 120 gsm — heavy enough to resist see-through and creasing, light enough to fold cleanly. Anything much heavier starts to behave more like card stock and resists a tri-fold.
Do wax seals actually keep a letter closed?
A proper wax seal, cracked open cleanly, is hard to reproduce — which is closer to its real function. It signals tampering rather than physically preventing it; the flap underneath still does the sealing work.
What's the difference between a wafer seal and sealing wax?
Sealing wax is melted and pressed while soft; a wafer seal is a pre-made disc of dried gum that's moistened or pressed on cold. Wafers were faster and less messy, which made them common for everyday mail once postage got cheap.
Is it rude to reply to a letter weeks later?
Not rude exactly, but a late reply tends to answer a different letter than the one that was sent — the writer has moved on. A reply within a couple of days tends to stay in conversation with what was actually written.
What is a postscript actually for?
Historically, an afterthought added once the letter was already signed and there was no room to rewrite. Some writers now use it deliberately, saving the real point for after the signature, where it reads as more casual.
Why do old letters sometimes have a torn-looking edge?
That's a deckle edge, left by the frame of a papermaking mold on handmade sheets. Some modern mills reproduce it deliberately with a water-cut edge, because the irregular border has become a stylistic marker of quality stock.
What does Letterfold actually publish?
Original essays and short pieces about the physical object of the letter — the fold, the paper, the seal, the ink — and about the etiquette of writing back. See recent entries on the home page.
Does Letterfold sell stationery?
No. We don't sell paper, pens, or seals, and we don't run sponsored reviews. The only thing we make ourselves is Reply Tray, the companion tracking app.
What is Reply Tray?
A small app for tracking which letters you've received and whether you've replied yet. It doesn't write or send anything for you — see the Reply Tray page for details.
Do I need Reply Tray to read Letterfold?
No. The journal and the app are separate; most readers just come for the writing.
Can I suggest a topic or correct something in an article?
Yes — write to hello@letterfold.shop. Corrections are read by an editor and, if warranted, noted at the bottom of the piece.