Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my photos to you? 

Because your photos are treasures, you will need to hand deliver them to us in North Hamilton and pick them up when they are done. This ensures the safety of your precious memories.

Is there any format you do not scan? 

As far as we know, there is no image format our photo digitising service cannot manage. We are one of the few services that can work with even the most delicate and unusual items, including glass mounted negatives, fragile letters, and more. The only exception is undeveloped film rolls, as we are not a film lab. If you need help finding where to get old film developed, click here.

Can you scan more delicate images, albums and items?

Yes, however delicate photos, letters, framed pieces, and bound items often take more time and require specialised equipment, so please be patient. If items are curled, we might need to gently press them under glass and scan them using overhead photography. Old scrapbooks/albums may require us to carefully reattach images that are coming loose. Adhesives and glue can leave residue on our scanners, so we clean the equipment after each scan to ensure your images stay clear and undamaged. In every case, we take the time to choose the safest and most effective method to get the best results at the same price.

Can you scan modern photos too?

Yes, we even have a dedicated high-speed scanner specifically designed for this very purpose. Every photo holds memories that are worth preserving and digitising, ensuring they can be cherished and revisited for many years to come.

What file type will my images be when digitised onto USB stick?

Our standard individual photo scans are provided as JPEG files. Loose prints, framed items, delicate or oversized pieces, and bound items such as photo albums and scrapbooks are scanned at 1200 DPI. Film and transparencies are also scanned at 1200 DPI, with the option to upgrade if requested. Albums and scrapbooks can also be provided in PDF format if preferred.
For advanced users who need greater flexibility for editing or have strict archival requirements, we also offer TIFF files for an additional charge. TIFF files are ideal for specific professional or archival needs. If you are not sure whether you need them, you probably do not. These files are 30 to 60 times larger than JPEGs and can slow down computers and photo software not equipped to handle them.

How will you organise my scans and prints given to you?

As much as possible, photos will be returned to you in the same organisation as given to us. 

Every grouping we receive is given its own folder, whether it is a photo envelope, album, slide box, or a set you have organised yourself. We scan everything in order and number the files accordingly. For example, if you provide a bundle labelled “Family Reunion 1992”, the folder will be named the same, and each image will be titled “Family Reunion 1992_1”, “Family Reunion 1992_2”, and so on.

We can also scan the reverse side of your photos and place the image of any handwriting next to the corresponding scanned photo.

Will the scans look better than prints?

Yes, most of the time. It is very likely that your prints have lost some quality over time. Common issues include surface marks like dust, grease, or general fading. Our standard photo scanning service helps address this by gently cleaning each photo with a microfibre cloth before scanning, followed by basic corrections for fading and exposure during editing.

What is the best way to store my digitally scanned images?

We will always provide you with a hard drive (usually a 8GB flash drive). In general, we recommend that you always use three forms of backup, with one of those backups kept somewhere other than your home. For example, you might use a cloud version as your offsite backup (e.g. Google Photos) and keep the originals and the USB drive as your onsite backups. We suggest using this method to back up all of your media, including documents, home videos, digital files, and digital photos taken on your cameras or phones.