Keep other letters out of a mail photo

Photographing a catalog on top of a pile of other mail is a common mistake. Other addresses in the frame can confuse identification and may show information that belongs to someone else.

Setting up a clean photo

  1. Clear the surface first. Move other mail, packages, and documents out of the frame instead of pushing them to the edge.
  2. Use a plain, solid-color surface such as a table or countertop. A patterned cloth can make the label harder to pick out.
  3. Place only the piece you plan to submit on the surface, label facing up, and photograph it alone.
  4. Check the edges of the preview for other names, addresses, or account numbers. If anything else shows, reposition before shooting.

Other people's mail in the frame

If others in your household get mail at your address, their names and senders are not yours to photograph or submit. That applies even when their mail is just sitting nearby. A clear surface with one piece avoids the problem, and it also gives the camera less competing text to deal with.

One piece, one plain surface

Set the piece on a clear surface, take the photo, and confirm no other mail appears anywhere in the frame.

Instructions for the next step

Have an unwanted advertisement ready?

Photograph one piece you are authorized to handle, with the sender and full mailing label visible. Review the details before submitting. The first request is free; the sender controls the response.

Try one request free