How to scan your photograph ready for restoration - Free quote
If you have a flatbed scanner and are fairly comfortable in its use, then follow these basic guidelines to obtain the best image for restoration. If you do not have a scanner, there are many high street shops that can perform this service at a reasonable price. Please inform them that you would like the image for restoration purposes and to scan in colour at 600dpi and save in png format.
Guidelines
- Dust Off Your Photos – Use a lint free cloth, or compressed air to blow any dust off your photos. Do not use paper towels or tissues, and never use water or cleaning fluids on your photos. Do not try to remove stains or fingerprints.
- Clean the Scanner Glass – Wipe off your scanner bed with a clean, dry cloth. A microfibre cloth works best, but a clean, dry handkerchief will do. Do not use paper towel or tissue; those leave debris behind and may even scratch the surface. If the glass on your scanner has smudges, try rubbing it with the dry cloth. If that doesn’t work, dampen a small piece of the cloth and try cleaning the glass again. Let it dry completely before putting anything on it.
- Scan Images – Your scanner and scanning software will allow you to choose a variety of settings, so try to get as close as you can to those described here.
- Make sure your scanner is set to scan a photograph, and not a document
- Always scan in colour, even if the original photograph is black and white. (this is very important)
- Turn off all auto-correct options, or automatic filters, including sharpening, color correction, scratch or dust removal.
- Scan at a resolution of 600 DPI
- Save the scan in PNG format file, to avoid any image compression.
- Crop your scan to only include the image.
- Name and save your image in a known location on your computer. Remember to write some notes on the type of restoration you would like to have performed, ready for inclusion in the upload form.
If you have any problems with any of the settings, or the image is too large to scan, please contact me.