How to scan old photos properly
Updated 13 October 2026 · UnBlur AI guides · 4 sources
AI results are estimates. AI restoration predicts what a sharper or repaired photo might look like. It can invent or change details, especially faces, text and fine patterns. Always keep your original, and do not use an AI-restored image as evidence or to identify someone.
- Scan snapshots at 300 to 400 dpi for personal use; 600 ppi matches top-tier archival guidance for prints. 1,2
- Very small prints need much more: around 1,400 to 1,500 dpi if you want to enlarge them. 1
- Save a TIFF master and make JPEG copies for sharing. 1
- Clean the glass, handle prints by the edges, and never force a curled print flat. 1,2,3
To scan old photos properly, use a flatbed scanner, clean the glass, place each print face down, scan at 300 to 600 ppi depending on how you will use it (higher for very small prints), and save an untouched TIFF master. Everything else, such as cropping, color correction and repairs, happens on copies.
Why a flatbed scanner
A flatbed supports the print and lets you control resolution, color and file format. The National Archives notes that automatic feed scanners are not suitable for fragile, bent or valuable items, which can jam and tear, and that the original must fit completely on the glass so the lid does not crease it 4. Phone apps are quicker but give little control over the resulting file 1; if a phone is all you have, see how to scan photos with your iPhone.
Prepare the scanner and the photos
- Wipe the glass, and the inside of the lid, with a lint-free cloth dampened with water. Spray the cloth, never the scanner 1.
- Wash and dry your hands, or wear nitrile gloves, and hold prints by their edges 3.
- Remove loose dust from prints with an air bulb; brushes can scratch 3.
- Place each print face down, square to the edge guide. If scanning several at once, leave space between them so the software can separate them 1.
- Close the lid gently. Do not force tightly curled prints flat 2.
Dust on the glass ends up in your file, so check it between batches 2.
Resolution: how many dpi?
Scanners say dpi; imaging specialists say ppi (pixels per inch). For scanning they mean the same thing 1. Higher is not always better: past a certain point you only capture dust and grain 1.
| What you are scanning | Suggested setting | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Snapshot prints (4×6, 5×7, 8×10) for viewing and same-size reprints | 300–400 dpi | Library of Congress 1 |
| Prints you want to keep at archival quality | 400 ppi (good) to 600 ppi (top tier) | Federal digitization guidelines 2 |
| Very small prints (wallet, contact prints) or prints you will enlarge | around 1,400–1,500 dpi | Library of Congress 1 |
| Negatives (needs a scanner with a film or transparency adapter) | at least 1,500–2,000 dpi | Library of Congress 1 |
A quick rule: scanning at 600 ppi gives enough pixels to print the photo at twice its original size at 300 ppi. The math is in megapixels, PPI and DPI explained and upscaling a photo for print.
Color mode and bit depth
- Color prints: scan in color, 24-bit at least; 48-bit (16 bits per channel) gives more room for editing 1.
- Black-and-white prints: 8-bit grayscale is common for everyday scanning 1. Archival guidelines scan all prints in 16-bit color at higher quality levels, because old black-and-white prints often have warm or cool tones worth keeping 2. If you plan to restore or colorize, scan in color.
TIFF or JPEG?
| TIFF | JPEG | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | None, or lossless (LZW) | Lossy: some data is discarded each save |
| File size | Large | Small |
| Use it for | The master you keep | Sharing, email, quick edits |
The Library of Congress recommends keeping a TIFF as the master and a JPEG as the working copy 1; archival guidelines also accept JPEG 2000 for masters 2.
Leave the master alone
Many scanners offer automatic dust removal, sharpening and color restoration. Archival guidelines do not allow dust removal or color and tone restoration on master images 2. Turn those features off for the master, then run whatever corrections you like on a copy. That way you can always go back.
Give each file a clear name using letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores, and record who, what, where and when 4. If there is writing on the back of a print, scan the back as well. The guide to digitizing a family photo album has a naming scheme.
After scanning
Once you have good masters, you can fix fading, scratches and blur on copies: see how to restore old photos. If you use an AI app such as UnBlur on a copy, note that the app downsizes uploads to at most 2,048 pixels on the long side, so your high-resolution TIFF stays the better archival file.
Common questions
Is 300 dpi enough for old photos?
For viewing and same-size reprints of ordinary snapshots, 300 to 400 dpi is usually enough. Use 600 ppi or more if you want archival quality or larger prints. 1,2
Should I use the scanner’s dust removal?
Not on the master. Archival guidelines keep masters free of dust removal and color changes; clean up a copy instead. 2
Can I scan photos that are stuck in an album?
Do not force them out. Scan the page if it fits, or photograph it; see the album guide for options. 4
Sources and further reading
- Library of Congress, The Signal blog. Personal Digital Archiving: The Basics of Scanning (2014). blogs.loc.gov
- Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative. Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Cultural Heritage Materials, 3rd edition (2023), section 3.8 Prints and Photographs (PDF). digitizationguidelines.gov
- Library of Congress, Preservation. Care, Handling, and Storage of Photographs. loc.gov
- U.S. National Archives. Digitizing Family Papers and Photographs. archives.gov