How to restore old photos
Scan at the right resolution
Photo restoration guidance recommends scanning old photos at 600 DPI or higher to capture the detail restoration needs. A 600 DPI scan holds roughly four times the pixel data of a 300 DPI scan, so it captures subtle tonal variations that may no longer be visible in the print.
Handle small or damaged prints
Standard prints (4x6, 5x7, 8x10 inches) scan well at 300 to 600 DPI, while wallet-sized or smaller photos benefit from 600 to 1200 DPI. Keep in mind that higher DPI captures existing detail; it does not invent detail that was never in the print.
Repair fading, scratches and tears
Once digitized, restoration corrects faded color and contrast, removes scratches, dust, and creases, and rebuilds torn or missing areas. The hidden tonal detail in a high-resolution scan is what lets the process rebuild clarity that the eye can no longer see in the original.
Restore without software skills
An AI restoration tool does the repair automatically. Upload the scanned photo and it corrects fading, removes damage, and can colorize black-and-white images, no editing experience required.
Frequently asked questions
What DPI should I scan old photos for restoration?
Scan at 600 DPI or higher. A 600 DPI scan holds about four times the data of a 300 DPI scan and captures subtle tones restoration relies on. Small prints benefit from 600 to 1200 DPI.
Can a blurry old photo be restored?
Higher DPI captures existing detail but cannot create detail that was never in the print, so a truly blurry photo has limits. Restoration can still improve contrast, color, and damage on most faded or scratched prints.
Do I need editing skills to restore a photo?
No. An AI restoration tool corrects fading, removes scratches and creases, and can colorize black-and-white photos automatically from an uploaded scan.