How to Prepare Your Photos for Restoration: A Step-by-Step Guide

Last month, David called me frustrated. He'd sent his family photos for restoration, only to get them back with a note: "Photos not suitable for restoration—poor scan quality and missing information." He'd wasted two weeks and had to start over. "I wish someone had told me how to prepare them properly," he said.

David's experience breaks my heart because it's completely avoidable. With proper preparation, you can ensure your photos get the best possible restoration results while saving time and money. Today, I'll walk you through everything you need to know to prepare your photos for restoration success.

Photo restoration is only as good as the source material you provide. Poor preparation can result in:

• Subpar restoration quality
• Longer processing times
• Higher costs due to extra work required
• Inability to restore certain details
• Disappointing final results

Before you do anything else, carefully examine each photo to understand what you're working with.

Highly Restorable:

• Faded colors or contrast
• Minor tears and creases
• Surface dust and spots
• Light scratches
• Yellowing or color shifts

Challenging but Possible:

• Missing portions (up to 20-30%)
• Severe water damage
• Multiple tears
• Significant mold damage
• Very dark or overexposed photos

Before you start working with your photos, learn to handle them safely to prevent additional damage.

Work in a clean, dust-free area with good lighting. Avoid eating or drinking near your photos, and keep pets away from your workspace.

Always wash and thoroughly dry your hands before handling photos. Better yet, wear clean cotton gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints or oils on the image surface.

Hold photos by the edges only. Never touch the image surface. Support the entire photo when moving it—don't let parts of it bend or flex.

Work on a clean, flat surface covered with acid-free paper or a clean towel. This prevents scratches and provides cushioning.

Most photo restoration today works with digital files. Here's how to create the best possible digital versions of your photos.

• Standard Photos (4x6, 5x7): Scan at 600 DPI minimum
• Small Photos (wallet size): Scan at 1200 DPI
• Large Photos (8x10 or bigger): 400-600 DPI is sufficient
• Professional Results: Use 1200 DPI for all photos if file size isn't a concern

• Save As: TIFF (uncompressed) or PNG for maximum quality
• Color Mode: RGB color, even for black and white photos
• Bit Depth: 24-bit color minimum (48-bit if available)
• Never Use: JPEG for initial scans (compression reduces restoration quality)

• Clean scanner glass with appropriate cleaner
• Place photos face-down on scanner
• Use scanner's dust removal feature if available
• Don't press down on fragile photos
• Scan each photo individually for best results

If you don't have a scanner or have fragile photos that can't be placed face-down:

• Use a tripod for stability
• Photograph in bright, even lighting (avoid flash)
• Keep camera parallel to photo surface
• Use highest resolution setting
• Save in RAW format if possible

• Use natural window light (not direct sunlight)
• Position lights at 45-degree angles to minimize glare
• Avoid fluorescent lights (they can cause color shifts)
• Use white paper around photo to reflect light evenly

Proper organization saves time and ensures you get back the right restored photos.

Use a consistent naming system:

• FamilyName_Year_Description_Number.extension
• Example: Smith_1952_Wedding_01.tiff
• Include sequence numbers for multiple photos from same event

Some photos benefit from gentle cleaning before scanning, but be extremely careful.

Use a clean, soft brush (like a fine paintbrush) to gently remove surface dust. Work from center outward with light strokes.

Never attempt to clean:

• Water damage or stains
• Mold or mildew
• Chemical discoloration
• Stuck-together photos
• Photos with flaking emulsion

These require professional handling or can be addressed during restoration.

Before sending photos for restoration, create backup copies:

• Original high-resolution scan
• Medium-resolution copy for sharing
• Cloud storage backup
• External drive backup

When uploading to restoration services:

• Use secure, encrypted connections (look for https://)
• Verify the service's privacy policy
• Keep original files on your device until restoration is complete
• Use services with secure file handling practices

Mistake: Saving scans as low-quality JPEGs to save space Result: Compression artifacts that limit restoration quality Solution: Always scan and save in highest quality format initially

Mistake: Scanning at low resolution (72-300 DPI) Result: Not enough detail for quality restoration Solution: Use 600 DPI minimum, 1200 DPI for small photos

Mistake: Scanning multiple photos together to save time Result: Individual photos are too small and lack detail Solution: Scan each photo individually, even if it takes longer

Don't try to separate them yourself. Many restoration services can work with photos still stuck together, or consult a professional conservator.

If photos are glued or mounted in albums:

• Try photographing them in place first
• For valuable photos, consult a professional about safe removal
• Never force photos out of magnetic albums

• Large photos: May require specialized scanners or professional photography
• Tiny photos: Need high-resolution scanning (1200+ DPI)
• Panoramic photos: Often need to be scanned in sections and digitally joined

Look for restoration services that:

• Accept high-resolution files
• Offer secure upload systems
• Provide clear communication about expectations
• Show before/after examples
• Have good customer reviews

Be specific about:

• What you want restored or enhanced
• Your budget and timeline
• Any special requirements or concerns
• Priority photos if you're submitting multiple images

Proper photo preparation might seem like extra work, but it pays off significantly:

For You:

• Better restoration quality
• Faster turnaround times
• Lower costs (no extra work needed)
• Clear communication with service provider
• Peace of mind about your precious photos

For the Restoration Service:

• Clear understanding of your needs
• High-quality source material to work with
• Efficient processing workflow
• Ability to deliver exactly what you want