Receipt CameraReceipt scanning guide
How to photograph a crumpled till receipt on Android
By A1KnowHow, maker of Receipt Camera · Updated
Flatten the receipt gently and put it somewhere well lit. Hold your phone above the page, take a photo and check the edges and writing before you save. Receipt Camera can straighten the photo and trim the background. It cannot bring back writing that has faded away.
Start with good light
Good light and a flat receipt make the biggest difference. Check that you can see the writing clearly before taking the photo.
How to photograph a crumpled till receipt
- Flatten the paper gently. Unfold the receipt and put it on a plain, dark surface. Keep your fingers and other objects away from the writing. If it will not lie flat, photograph it in sections.
- Use even light. Avoid glare and strong shadows. Hold the phone above the receipt without casting a shadow on it. You do not need a stand.
- Include the whole receipt. Leave a little space around the edges of the paper. Hold the phone steady. If the small writing is blurry, move the phone slightly closer or further away and take another photo.
- Check the crop and choose a look. Check that the outline includes the whole receipt. Try Photo and Enhance, then choose the one where the writing is easiest to read. If Black & white makes faint letters disappear, use a different setting.
- Save and check the photo. Save the photo, open it in the gallery and zoom in. Check the shop name, date, purchases and total. Take another photo if any details are blurry or cut off.
Which look should I use for faint print?
| Look | When to try it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Receipts with colour or faint writing. | Can you see the colours and faint writing? |
| Enhance | Writing that is hard to see against the paper. | Are the letters clearer and still complete? |
| Black & white | Receipts with clear, dark writing. | If faint letters disappear, choose Photo or Enhance. |
Can a scanner restore a faded receipt?
Enhance can make faint writing easier to see, but it cannot bring back words that have disappeared. Photograph the receipt while you can still read it. If important details are missing, ask the shop for another copy.
What if the receipt is too long for one photo?
Photograph the receipt in sections so the small writing stays readable. Include a little of the previous section in each photo. You can put these photos into one PDF (Portable Document Format), with a separate page for each photo. The app does not join them into one long image.
How do I capture a pile without leaving the camera?
Press and hold Capture, tap Settings and switch on One-tap save. The app crops and saves each photo without leaving the camera. Check the photos in the gallery when you finish.
Questions
Should I always use black and white for receipts?
No. Black & white can make faint letters disappear. Try Photo and Enhance too, then keep the clearest version.
Do I need a tripod or ring light?
No. You can hold the phone yourself. A stand can help keep it steady when you have a pile of receipts.
Can the app read the receipt total for me?
No. The app saves a photo. It does not read the amounts or add them up.
Try the Android app
Receipt Camera is free on Google Play, with no account, ads or subscription.