FondlyHow to scan old photos for the best restoration
A good scan is half of a good restoration. These settings work for flatbed scanners and phones.
Taking a picture of a print? Lay it flat by a window in daylight and turn off the flash, so there's no glare.
What a lovely photo. Choose what it needs:
✦ Deep repair is our most powerful restoration, included with credits and Pro. 50 photos for $9, no subscription. Unlock Deep repair →
Faces are brought back into focus automatically. Your photo stays private and is deleted within an hour. By restoring it you confirm you may use it and agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy, including how faces are handled.
This usually takes under a minute. Please keep this page open.
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Drag the little circle to see the before and after.
Print sizes 4×6, 5×7 and 8×10, cut to shape for any photo lab
A lovely gift: print it and frame it for someone in the photo. Drugstore photo centers print 4×6 to 8×10 the same day. Or give a Fondly gift card →
How to how to scan old photos for the best restoration
- Clean the glass and gently brush dust off the print with a soft brush.
- Scan at 600 dpi (1200 dpi for tiny wallet photos) in color, even for black-and-white prints.
- Save as JPG at high quality or PNG; skip any automatic "dust removal".
- Upload the scan here and restore it.
Why scan black-and-white photos in color?
A color scan keeps the paper tone and stains separate from the image, which helps the AI tell damage from detail. You can still keep the result in black and white.
Do not
- Remove photos glued in old albums by force; scan the whole page instead
- Use tape or glue to fix tears before scanning
- Scan through a plastic sleeve or glass frame (it adds glare and blur)
Frequently asked questions
What resolution should I scan at?
600 dpi is ideal for standard prints. Larger scans are fine: the tool resizes them before restoration.