The Beefree SDK’s Plain Text API makes it simple to generate plain text versions of emails built in your application. Providing a plain text option improves accessibility for recipients using assistive technologies, and boosts deliverability across devices and email clients. By adding this capability, teams can meet accessibility requirements such as the EU Accessibility Act, WCAG, and Section 508, while ensuring emails reach more inboxes.
What is a plain text email and why it matters for accessibility and deliverability
Email performance depends on more than great design. If a message cannot be read by all recipients or does not make it to the inbox, even the best visuals and copy lose their impact.
One proven way to address both accessibility and deliverability is to include a plain text version alongside your HTML emails. A plain text email is just that - it’s a version of an email which only includes text, stripping out any images and formatting.
The Beefree SDK’s Plain Text API makes this simple by generating clean, screen reader (and wearable)-friendly text from any design created in the Beefree builder. It is a straightforward addition that benefits end users, strengthens compliance with accessibility standards, and improves the reach of every campaign.
Pro tip: Here’s how you can provide your plain-text version when sending email
When sending email from your application, you’ll want to follow the multipart MIME standard that allows you to provide your email content in different formats: The text/HTML format is how you pass along your beautifully designed HTML code. The text/plain format is how you provide the plain text version of that message.
Why plain text emails improve accessibility and deliverability
A plain text version is more than a simplified fallback. It is a key part of making email accessible to all audiences and ensuring that messages reach the inbox.
- Accessibility: Plain text emails allow recipients using screen readers or assistive technologies to read content without formatting or layout barriers.
- Deliverability: According to Litmus, plain text emails load faster, deliver more reliably, and render better on devices such as smartwatches and in plain text-only email clients.
- Compliance: In some industries and jurisdictions, providing a plain text alternative is a requirement for accessibility compliance and can help avoid legal or reputational risks.
How plain text emails help meet the EU Accessibility Act and WCAG compliance
The EU Accessibility Act (EAA), which went into full effect in 2025, mandates that digital products and services meet specific accessibility standards. For email service providers, SaaS platforms, and communication tools, this means ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities, can access the content.
By generating and including plain text versions of HTML emails, you can provide a screen reader-friendly format for visually impaired users, meet WCAG-aligned requirements for perceivable and operable content, and reduce the risk of non-compliance fines or market restrictions in the EU. Plain text versions are also a best practice under accessibility guidelines such as Section 508 (US) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), making this a globally relevant capability.
For developers: how to implement the Plain Text API
The Plain Text API is part of the Beefree SDK’s Content Services API suite.
To use it:
Capture the Beefree JSON output from the builder
Send a POST request to /v1/message/plaintext
Receive the plain text version as a responseOnce you have a plain text version of your message, use it to populate the text/plain part of your multipart MIME when passing your message along to your email sending tool. Authentication is via your API key from the Developer Console, and usage limits are tied to your SDK plan level.
Secure pattern (Node/Express or serverless)
Call the API from your backend. Never expose keys client-side. You’ll find full example code below.
For product managers: why you should prioritize plain text email support
When you want a feature that delivers measurable improvements without weighing down the development backlog, the Plain Text API is an easy win. Integrating the API is straightforward, and once you're set up to programmatically create plaintext versions for every message, you'll see the difference in deliverability.
Plain text versions help email clients and spam filters trust your messages, which can lead to better inbox placement and higher engagement. And for your users, the ability to send more accessible emails is not just a nice extra, it is a competitive advantage that helps your platform stand out.
Common plain text email use cases, including better accessibility and deliverability
- Transactional emails: Ensure order confirmations, password resets, and other time-sensitive messages are accessible and delivered reliably.
- Multi-device optimization: Support users who check email on devices with limited display capabilities, such as wearables (including smartwatches, fitness trackers, and assistive wearable technologies designed for people with disabilities).
- Quality assurance: Integrate plain text generation into QA processes to check for content consistency and accessibility before sending.
Plain Text API benefits for accessibility, deliverability, and compliance
The Plain Text API is a high-value, low-effort addition to your product. It improves accessibility for users with assistive technology, boosts deliverability across devices and clients, meets compliance requirements for the EU Accessibility Act and other accessibility standards, and requires minimal developer time to implement.
Get started with the Plain Text API
You can start using the Plain Text API today through the Beefree SDK’s Content Services API. Each paid plan includes an allotment of API calls, so you can begin generating plain text versions right away without upgrading your subscription. Explore the documentation to review the endpoint details, or log in to your Developer Console to enable it. For questions, contact your Customer Success Manager or reach out to sdksupport@beefree.io.
Beyond plain-text and HTML generation: Export Images and PDFs with the Beefree SDK Content Services API
Did you know that, in addition to plain text and HTML, you can also transform any design created in the Beefree SDK into a PDF or image file? Whether you’re looking to create thumbnails of designs with the image endpoint or want to integrate PDF exports into your application, the Content Services API supports a range of export methods.
Curious to see the export options in action? Check out this sample code in Github.
Plain Text API code examples
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