RESTOREPHOTO · PRACTICAL PHOTO RESTORATION
A better scan is the best first step.
Scan old photographs safely: choose resolution and file formats, avoid glare, keep an archival master, and prepare a separate copy for AI restoration.
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Use a flatbed scanner for a loose, stable print, keep the whole image in frame, and save an untouched master. For ordinary small prints, 600 dpi is a practical starting point, not a universal archival standard. Make a separate JPG or PNG copy for restoration. Never force a fragile album or print flat.
1. Protect the original before switching on the scanner
Make sure the print fits on the scanner glass without the lid bending it. Avoid automatic-feed scanners for fragile or valuable photographs. If a photograph is stuck to an album page, do not pull it free just to scan it. A carefully supported album photographed from above, or professional help, is safer than forcing the binding.
Clean the scanner glass according to its manufacturer’s directions before placing a photo on it. Do not apply cleaning products to an old photograph. Keep the physical original even after digitization.
2. Choose a resolution for the print you have
| Starting material | Practical starting point | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Small, intact paper print | 600 dpi | Zoom in on the scan. More pixels cannot restore detail absent from the print. |
| Large paper print for screen sharing | 300–600 dpi | Balance file size against visible detail. Keep a higher-quality master when possible. |
| Tiny print or planned enlargement | Consider 1,200 dpi within the scanner’s optical capability | Compare a test scan before scanning the whole collection. |
| Negatives, slides, or fragile album | Use suitable equipment or a specialist | Paper-print settings are not a film-scanning specification. |
These are working suggestions for home scans, not a claim that RestorePhoto accepts TIFFs or processes every uploaded pixel at full resolution.
3. Keep a master and a working copy
A TIFF master is useful for preservation when your scanner supports it. Keep that master locally or in your own archive. RestorePhoto accepts JPG, PNG, and WebP—not TIFF. Export a separate supported copy, up to 20 MB, for upload.
PNG avoids lossy JPEG re-encoding; a high-quality JPEG is often a smaller and convenient working copy. Avoid repeatedly opening and saving the same JPEG at lower quality. Capture the full print first, then crop a duplicate to remove scanner borders if needed. Leave all faces inside the frame.
4. No scanner? Reduce glare and perspective
Lay a stable print on a flat surface in even, indirect light. Hold the phone parallel to the print, avoid flash and reflections, and take several shots without casting your own shadow. Use the sharpest full-resolution file rather than a screenshot. If an album cannot safely open flat, support it without pressing on the spine.
A phone copy may be convenient, but glare, perspective distortion, and uneven focus can make restoration harder. Fix those capture problems first rather than expecting AI to remove them.
5. Restore the copy, then review the faces
Upload your working copy and follow the preparation steps. Free restorations process your photo at up to 512 pixels on its longest side. Larger photos are resized proportionally with your approval. That processing copy is not a replacement for your full-resolution master.
Compare the result against the unedited scan, particularly eyes, mouth, hair, and expression. Save an enhanced copy only if you like the result. Our blurry-face checklist explains what to inspect; the family-album guide covers group portraits.
6. Preserve the story as well as the pixels
Use descriptive file names and record who, where, and approximately when, keeping guesses separate from known facts. Back up your archive: the National Archives recommends three copies on two types of media, with one copy off-site. An online restoration service is not your backup.
Sources and further reading
- National Archives: Digitizing Family Papers and Photographs — safe handling, metadata, and backups.
- AARP: How to Digitize Your Old Paper Photos — practical scanning resolution and master-file advice.
Written by RestorePhoto. Scanning recommendations are distinct from the product’s upload and processing limits; check the current FAQ before uploading.