How to Digitize Old Photos (Before Restoring Them)

Before AI restoration can work its best, the input scan matters. Here's how to digitize old family photographs properly — covering equipment, settings, free options, and common mistakes.

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Why Digitizing Quality Matters for AI Restoration

AI restoration models like CodeFormer and GFPGAN work on the information present in the digital file. A poorly photographed or low-resolution scan limits what the AI can reconstruct:

• Too low DPI: The AI can't recover detail that wasn't captured
• Glare on the scan: Bright spots hide underlying image information permanently
• Shadows from phone camera: Darken areas of the print that the AI can't see through
• Blurry capture: Reduces the information the AI has to work with

A good scan gives AI restoration the maximum information to work with.

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Option 1: Flatbed Scanner (Best Quality)

A flatbed scanner produces the highest quality digitization for flat prints:

Settings for old photos:

• DPI: 600 DPI minimum for standard prints. 1200 DPI for photos smaller than 3×5 inches (more scan detail = more for the AI to work with).
• Color mode: Color (even for black-and-white photos — scanning in color captures tonal nuance better)
• File format: TIFF for archival; JPEG at 90%+ quality for processing
• Bit depth: 24-bit minimum; 48-bit if scanning for archival

Equipment options:

Own a scanner: Epson Perfection V39, V600, or similar (~$90–$250) are reliable choices.

Free option — library scanners: Many public library branches have flatbed scanners available for free. Quality varies by location but is typically 600–1200 DPI. Call ahead to confirm availability and whether you can use your own drive.

Free option — UPS/FedEx stores: Some locations have flatbed scanners for customer use, typically a small per-scan fee.

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Option 2: Phone Photography (Practical Alternative)

Phone cameras have improved substantially and can produce usable scans with proper technique:

Use a scanning app:

• Microsoft Lens: Excellent for flat documents and photos — auto-detects edges, corrects perspective, removes glare when possible
• Google PhotoScan: Designed specifically for photo prints — captures multiple angles to reduce glare, stitches into a clean composite
• Adobe Scan: Good edge detection and basic enhancement

Technique for phone scanning:

1. Place the print on a flat, matte, neutral-colored surface (avoid glossy surfaces that reflect)
2. Use natural indirect light (overcast window light) or even indoor lighting without direct flash
3. Hold the phone directly above the print — parallel, not at an angle
4. Fill the frame with the print (no border required — apps crop automatically)
5. Use both hands or prop the phone for a stable shot — camera shake blurs detail

What phone scanning can't match:

• 600+ DPI equivalent resolution for small prints
• Elimination of glare from highly reflective old prints
• Consistent results across many prints

For a few photos where you don't have access to a flatbed scanner, Google PhotoScan + good lighting produces usable results for AI restoration.

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Option 3: Dedicated Photo Scanning Services

When this makes sense: You have hundreds of prints to digitize and don't want to do it yourself.

Services:

• ScanMyPhotos.com: ~$0.08–0.35 per print, ships box of photos, returns originals with USB drive
• Legacybox: ~$0.64–$1.00 per item, handles prints + film + slides
• Local camera/print shops: Often offer scanning, prices vary

Quality: Generally 300–600 DPI, acceptable for AI restoration.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too low DPI: A 72 DPI phone screenshot is not a scan. Aim for 600 DPI equivalent minimum.

Glare: Highly reflective old glossy prints are prone to glare. Use Google PhotoScan's multi-shot mode to eliminate it. Indirect lighting helps.

Scanning in black-and-white mode: Even B&W photos contain tonal information better preserved in color scan mode.

Dirty scanner glass: Dust on the scanner glass shows up in scans. Clean with a soft cloth before scanning.

Curved prints: Old prints often curl. Gently flatten under a heavy book (overnight) before scanning. Don't force curved prints flat on the scanner — it damages them.

Low file quality JPEG: JPEG at 50% quality introduces compression artifacts that AI can mistake for image detail. Use 90%+ quality or TIFF.

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After Digitizing: AI Restoration

Once you have a clean 600+ DPI scan, AI restoration can work with the full information present in the original print:

1. Upload to ArtImageHub — the service accepts JPEG, PNG, TIFF
2. Processing takes 30–90 seconds — CodeFormer reconstructs face detail, GFPGAN corrects fading and yellowing, Real-ESRGAN handles upscaling
3. Download HD result — ready for printing at any standard print size

The combination of a good scan + AI restoration produces results that aren't possible with either alone.

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Restore your digitized old photos at ArtImageHub — $4.99 one-time →

Results in 30–90 seconds · HD download · 30-day guarantee

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Related

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• How to Restore Old Photos: Free Options vs Paid AI — full restoration overview
• Old Photo Restoration as a Gift — gift guide
• Best AI Tools for Old Photo Restoration in 2026 — 7-tool ranked comparison