Messaging programme
Text messages from Paper Route
Paper Route prints a monthly magazine for one older reader, made from photographs and notes their family sends in. We text two kinds of people: the subscriber who pays for a magazine, and the family members who contribute photographs to it. This page sets out how each of them joins, what we send, and how to stop.
The number we send from
All messages in this programme come from, and are received at, one number:
This is the only number used for the programme. Our customer support line, +1 877-541-5684, does not send or receive programme messages.
How someone joins
There are three ways, and no others. A mobile number on its own is never treated as permission to text, and no box is ever pre-ticked.
1. A subscriber asks to be texted about their own magazine
At the end of onboarding at app.paper-route.com, the subscriber may tick a box asking us to text them about the magazine they pay for, and enter their own mobile number. The box is separate from the box agreeing to our Terms, is not required to subscribe, and starts unticked. The number field only appears once the box is ticked.
The wording beside that box, verbatim:
Reproduced from the final onboarding step
By ticking this you agree to receive recurring automated text messages from Paper Route about this subscription — a reminder before each issue closes and a note when one ships, around two to four messages a month. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for help.
The mobile number field appears only after the box is ticked. Unticking it clears the number.
2. A subscriber confirms consent when adding a family member
The same subscriber builds the list of family who contribute to the magazine. If they enter a mobile number for one of those people, they must tick a second, separate box confirming that person has agreed to be texted. The form cannot be submitted without it.
This happens in the same onboarding flow at app.paper-route.com, which requires a paid account and a sign-in. The fields and exact wording are reproduced here so they can be read without an account.
Reproduced from the same step
The checkbox appears as soon as a mobile number is entered, and the form will not submit until it is ticked. Beneath it the form links to this Privacy Policy and these Terms.
3. The person texts us first
Anyone can start by sending a photograph or a message to +1 206-864-5840. Sending us a text is itself the opt-in, and we record the date and time it arrived. Nothing is sent to a number that has not either texted us or been confirmed through one of the boxes above.
The call to action is the number shown above on this page, and the same number shown to subscribers inside the application once onboarding is complete, under the heading “Where photos go”, beside the note that carrier message and data rates may apply.
What we send, and how often
Two groups receive different messages, and both are listed here.
| Who | Message | When |
|---|---|---|
| Subscriber | A reminder before the issue closes | Once per issue |
| Subscriber | A note when an issue ships | Once per issue |
| Contributor | A welcome, naming the magazine they are contributing to | Once, when they join |
| Contributor | A prompt asking for a photograph for the coming issue | No more than once a week |
| Either | A reply to a photograph or message they sent us | Only in response to them |
Message frequency varies. Subscribers receive around two to four messages a month. Contributors receive no more than one prompt per week. Both may also receive replies to messages they send us. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
This programme does not send marketing, promotions or offers, and consent to it is never a condition of purchasing a subscription. Mobile numbers are never sold, and never shared with anyone for marketing.
How to stop, restart, or get help
Every keyword below is answered automatically, from the same number.
STOP — no further messages are sent. We reply once to confirm, and that is the last message.
START — messages resume.
HELP — we reply with what Paper Route is and how to reach a person.
STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END and QUIT all opt someone out. You can also email [email protected] or call +1 877-541-5684 and we will remove a number for you.
Opting out of text messages does not cancel a subscription and does not stop the magazine being printed. It only stops the texts.
More detail
Section 7 of our Terms of Service covers text messages. Our Privacy Policy sets out what we collect, how long photographs are kept, and the companies that process messages on our behalf.
Last updated: October 5, 2026