How to Scan Old Photos: Getting the Best Quality for Colorization

The quality of your scan matters. Follow our step-by-step guide to digitizing old photos for the best colorization results.

Prep before scanning

Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove dust from photos and scanner surfaces. Avoid harsh cleaning agents that could damage prints.

For most prints, 600–1200 DPI balances quality with file size. Save files as TIFF for archiving and JPEG for quick sharing or uploads.

Ready to colorize your own photo?

Upload a black-and-white image and see it transform in seconds.