Precision opacity
Dial the intensity from 15% to 30% — enough to change the screen surface without blurring your work. No color shifting, no loss of clarity.
a Desktop Screen Utility for Windows and macOS.
Make your screen feel
like paper.
A screen texture engine that applies a subtle digital matte surface to enhance visual ergonomics through contrast attenuation and natural grain.
Free to download on Windows· Unlimited for $5.99 $11.99 for lifetime.
The Paperman difference
Not a blue light filter.
Night Shift and f.lux focus on color temperature. They turn your screen orange to reduce blue light.
Paperman focuses on screen texture. It doesn't shift your colors or tint your display. It applies a subtle, high-quality digital matte surface that diffuses highlights and attenuates contrast — exactly like a physical matte screen protector, but in software.
Blue light filters
Change colors to warmer tones.
Paperman
Changes texture to soften contrast.
How it works.
Three moving parts. No background services.
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The invisible paper plane.
Paperman creates a fullscreen transparent window that floats above every app on your system. It never steals focus, never interrupts your workflow, and stays pinned across all virtual desktops and Spaces.
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Fractal noise for natural texture.
Using custom SVG fractal noise (feTurbulence), the app generates a mathematically unique digital paper surface. You pick a texture and dial the opacity between 15% and 30% to find your perfect matte finish.
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Full transparency, no friction.
With Click-Through enabled, the texture layer is invisible to your mouse and keyboard. You interact with your apps exactly as you normally would — just through a softened, more comfortable surface.
Biological mechanisms
Better by design.
Paperman is built on established ergonomic principles of contrast reduction and surface quality perception. No medical claims — just sensible physics for your physiology.
Contrast attenuation
Modern screens display at 1000:1 contrast ratios. Natural paper sits at 15:1. Paperman bridges this gap, bringing the screen toward the levels your eyes evolved to process. [1][3]
Founder's note
Built for the neurodivergent brain.
Paperman was created by a founder with ADHD who found that high-contrast, "emissive" screens were a constant source of sensory friction. Many users with ADHD and sensory sensitivities report that the digital matte surface helps dampen visual noise and aids in sustained focus.
Sources
- Lin, Y.-T. et al. (2009). Investigation of legibility and visual fatigue for simulated flexible electronic paper under various surface treatments. Applied Ergonomics, 40(5), 922–928. PubMed
- Miyake-Kashima, M. et al. (2005). The effect of antireflection film use on blink rate and asthenopic symptoms during visual display terminal work. Cornea, 24(5), 567–570. PubMed
- Agarwal, S. et al. (2013). Evaluation of the factors which contribute to the ocular complaints in computer users. J Clinical & Diagnostic Research, 7(2), 331–335. PubMed
- Schenkman, B. et al. (1999). Glare from monitors measured with subjective scales and eye movements. Displays, 20(1), 11–21. ScienceDirect
- Sindt, C. W. (2015). Computer vision syndrome. University of Iowa Health Care. UIHC
For the full literature review, see our Research & Sources page.
Three textures.
Every texture brings a distinct tactile feel to your workspace.
Match the material to your current task: Classic Matte for focused reading, Whisper Weave to soften bright apps, and Sunbaked Parchment for cozy, late-night writing.
Classic Matte
A smooth, diffused finish that gently softens harsh pixels and contrast, giving your screen the clean, restful feel of premium matte paper.
Whisper Weave Coming soon
A delicate, tactile fabric texture that cuts through screen glare, bringing a soft, organic warmth to your daily reading and writing.
Sunbaked Parchment Coming soon
A rich, heavy grain bathed in a comforting amber glow, perfect for late-night sessions or whenever you want the cozy familiarity of an aged manuscript.
The details.
Small things that matter after the first hour.
Procedural fractals
Generated using feTurbulence for organic, natural-looking grain. A subtle matte finish that mimics high-quality paper stocks.
App exclusion list
Automagically disable the texture layer for specific apps (Photoshop, video players, etc).
Circadian schedule
Automatically toggle based on your local sunrise and sunset or a custom schedule. Set it, forget it, and let your eyes rest.
Native performance
Built with Rust for high performance on Win32 and macOS runtimes. Tiny footprints: <3 MB memory and 0% CPU impact.
Multi-monitor support
Paperman scales seamlessly across all connected displays. One setting controls every screen, ensuring a consistent matte surface across your entire workstation.
Frequently asked.
Everything you need to know about the digital grain.
How is this different from f.lux or Night Shift?
Every other eye protection tool changes your colors. Paperman changes your screen's texture. It works alongside color filters, addressing the visual strain that temperature shifts alone can't touch — like contrast reduction and highlight diffusion.
Does it change my colors or turn my screen orange?
No. Paperman uses SVG fractal noise to create a tactile digital surface, not a color filter. Your colors stay exactly as they are — they just appear to be on a matte physical surface rather than an emissive light source.
Why pay when Night Light is free?
Night Light is a free color shifter. Paperman is specialized relief software that changes surface texture. If color shifts alone haven't fixed your digital eye strain, it's likely because you're sensitive to screen contrast and specular glare — which is exactly what Paperman addresses.
Is it good for ADHD and light sensitivity?
Many users with ADHD report that the 'matte' effect reduces sensory overstimulation and visual noise, making it easier to maintain focus during long screen sessions. It's built by a founder who lives with ADHD.
Does it work with full-screen apps and multiple monitors?
Yes. Paperman is designed to cover your entire display area, including full-screen apps and across all virtual desktops. It supports multi-monitor setups natively.
Will it slow down my computer?
Not even a little. Paperman uses less than 3 MB of memory and zero animation loops.
How much does Paperman cost?
Paperman is free to download and use on Windows. Free users get 1 hour of the paper effect per day, plus the auto light/dark mode toggle. Upgrade to Paperman Unlimited for $5.99 — or purchase directly from the Mac App Store — for a lifetime of unlimited paper effect.