Share a paper that opens when the embargo ends

Choose a lock

Timelock. Timelock requires the scheduled drand release to open the paper through the link. Co-authors may still have readable copies elsewhere.

Timelock costs $3 USD per Postdate. This covers opening dates within one year and 100 MB including encryption and file packaging. Opening depends on drand and Postdate being available, and on the encryption remaining secure. Senders can keep original copies. Postdates can still expire or be removed for abuse. You see the price before you create the link. Read about Timelock.

Send it before it opens

Papers pass between co-authors, reviewers and press offices before publication. Someone could share a copy on a preprint server or through a press release. An early release could lead to the journal rejecting your paper.

Send the link in advance. Everyone with it can read the paper when the embargo ends. Send a separate draft to anyone who needs to read it earlier.

Create your Postdate

1. 01

   Attach the paper and the supporting data.

2. 02

   Set the opening time to when the embargo ends.

3. 03

   Choose Timelock to protect access through the link until its scheduled release.

4. 04

   Send the link to co-authors and the press office.

Create a new Postdate Timelock: $3. No delete link.

Common questions

Does this meet a journal embargo policy?

Check the journal policy. Postdate protects access through the link until the scheduled release. The journal decides whether that meets its rules.

Can co-authors still comment on the draft?

They cannot comment through Postdate. Share the working draft as usual. Use Postdate for the final version that needs to stay hidden until release.

What if the publication date changes?

You cannot change a Timelock opening date. Choose Standard if the journal might reschedule. Delete the message before it opens, then send a link for the new date.

More guides

Publish material when an NDA expires, Set an album release time

Browse all guides or read about Postdate.