Digitization

Additional Information

Scanning Process

  1. Initial Inspection: We begin by inspecting each photo for fragility, rips, tears, and adhesives. This helps us determine the best approach to scanning each image without causing any damage.

  2. Scanning: We use high-quality scanners to digitize your photos. The DPI (dots per inch) setting used during scanning determines the level of detail captured in the digital image. Higher DPI settings result in more detailed scans, but also larger file sizes.

  3. Post-Scan Processing: After scanning, we perform post-scan processing to enhance the quality of the digital images. This includes color correction, exposure adjustment, and dust and scratch removal.

Quality Tiers

Economy Quality

Our Economy Quality tier is our most basic offering, designed for those who are on a very tight budget and primarily interested in simply converting their physical photos into a digital format. This tier provides a resolution of 300 DPI, which is sufficient for basic digital storage and online sharing. However, it's important to note that this tier does not include any additional processing to clean up the images, such as color corrections, exposure correction, dust and scratch removal, or grain and noise reduction. As a result, the digitized images may not have the same level of clarity and detail as those produced at higher tiers.

While we don't heavily advertise this tier due to its lower image quality, it is an acceptable choice for those who simply want to digitize their photos at the lowest possible cost. However, if image quality is a concern for you, we highly recommend considering our higher tiers.

Basic Quality

Our Basic Quality tier is designed for those who are looking for a cost-effective way to digitize their images for digital storage and online sharing. This tier provides a resolution of 300 DPI, which is sufficient for viewing on digital devices and sharing on social media. However, it may not provide the highest level of image resolution and does not include color corrections, exposure correction, dust and scratch removal, or grain and noise reduction. This tier is ideal for those who are on a budget and primarily interested in preserving their memories digitally.

Standard Quality

The Standard Quality tier is our most popular option and provides a balance between quality and cost. With a resolution of 600 DPI, this tier offers superior image quality that brings out more details in your photos. This makes them perfect for sharing online in high detail or printing in small formats. The higher resolution of this tier also helps to mask some of the minor blemishes that can occur during the scanning process. This tier includes color corrections, exposure correction, dust and scratch removal, and grain and noise reduction.

Enhanced Quality

Our Enhanced Quality tier is designed for those who want to ensure faithful digitization quality with the possibility of printing the images out in larger formats. With a resolution of 900 DPI, this tier provides a high level of detail that closely mirrors the original quality of the images. This makes it perfect for creating high-quality prints and for those who value the fine details in their images. This tier includes color corrections, exposure correction, dust and scratch removal, and grain and noise reduction.

Premium Quality

The Premium Quality tier is our highest quality option and is designed for those who want the best possible digitization quality. With a resolution of 1200 DPI, this tier enhances the quality of the original images, allowing them to be recreated with prints and digital images much larger than their original size. This tier is perfect for those who want archival-quality digitization and to use images professionally. This tier includes color corrections, exposure correction, dust and scratch removal, and grain and noise reduction.

Each of these tiers is designed to cater to different needs and budgets. The higher the tier, the higher the resolution, and the better the image quality. However, higher tiers also require more time to fulfill due to the increased level of detail and the additional services included. Therefore, it's important to consider your specific needs and how you plan to use your digitized images when choosing a quality tier.

Image Size Considerations

The size of the digital image files will depend on the DPI setting used during scanning. Higher DPI settings result in larger file sizes, which can take up more storage space. However, they also capture more detail in the images, which can be beneficial for reprinting or viewing on high-resolution screens.

If you're unsure about which DPI setting to choose, consider how you plan to use the digital images. If you mainly plan to view them on a screen or share them online, a lower DPI setting may be sufficient. However, if you plan to reprint the images or view them on high-resolution screens, a higher DPI setting may be more appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • DPI stands for "dots per inch" and refers to the resolution at which an image is scanned. Higher DPI values result in greater detail and sharper image quality. However, it's important to note that very high DPI settings may not always guarantee better results, especially if the original print or film has limitations in terms of clarity or condition.

  • While 300 DPI is a standard resolution for print reproduction, the quality of the original print or film can impact the overall result. If the original source material is of low resolution, damaged, or contains significant dust or scratches, these imperfections may become more noticeable during the scanning process, even at 300 DPI. We strive to provide the best possible quality given the condition of the original prints or films.

  • Vertical lines that appear on scanned images are often caused by dust particles or damage present on the original prints. Despite our best efforts to minimize such imperfections, they can be challenging to completely eliminate. We employ various techniques, including professional cleaning and careful handling, to ensure the best results. However, please understand that in some cases, these lines may be unavoidable due to the condition of the prints or films

  • Absolutely! We offer manual dust and scratch removal as an add-on service to address specific imperfections on individual images. This additional service allows for more precise and detailed retouching to enhance the quality of your scanned images. Please note that manual removal may incur an extra fee based on the number of images requiring this specialized attention.

  • The marks from scanner rollers and lighter blacks in darker images can be more noticeable when scanning at lower DPI settings. These marks are typically caused by the scanning process itself and are more apparent in areas of the image with lower contrast or darker tones. While exposure and color correction can help improve the overall appearance, it's important to note that scanning at higher resolutions, such as 600 DPI or 1200 DPI, can significantly reduce or eliminate this issue.