Junk Mail Magic

Handle a faded or smeared mailing label

If moisture or a printing problem has made the label unreadable, do not fill in the missing characters from memory. The photo needs to show the sender and the recipient details as printed.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated .

What to do with a faded label

  1. Take a photo in even light and compare it with the paper at full size.
  2. Check the cover or envelope for a readable company name and return address. These help identify the sender, but they do not replace the recipient label.
  3. Look for another copy of the same mailing with a legible label, if you have one.
  4. If either the sender or recipient details remain unclear, contact support or use the verified sender's published postal opt-out route instead of submitting a guess.

The risk of guessing a character

The sender information identifies the organization to contact. The recipient name, address and any printed codes help that organization locate the mailing record. A readable company logo cannot repair a missing apartment number. Keep the damaged piece until you have a clear source for each field, and copy the wording as printed if you contact the sender directly.

Use the clearest source you have

Use a later readable label if one arrives. If you contact the sender now, explain which part of the existing label is damaged and ask what information they need to locate the record.

Instructions for the next step

Remove glare from a glossy catalog photoRetake a mail photo taken in dim lightReadable photosAll practical mail guides

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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.

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