How can I clean up a faded old document scan to make the text more readable?

Question

I’m scanning an old paper document/drawing where the ink has faded and the paper has uneven discoloration. The goal is not perfect restoration, but to improve readability of the text and lines. What kind of image-processing steps or filters would you try in GIMP or similar software? I’d especially like to know the general name for this kind of degradation/noise and a practical workflow to separate the darker text from the stained paper background.

scanning image-editing gimp noise-reduction document-restoration

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

5y ago

user34085 · Accepted Answer

The quickest way I have found to do this is via Luminosity Masks.

First REMOVE COLOUR from the image.
INCREASE BLACKS
SPOT HEAL dark areas of image not Required.
Create a CURVE Adjustment Layer
Select COLOUR RANGE
Adjust the curve to fade away the colour range.
Make multiple passes with New Curve Adjusments for each new Tone.
Do this until you're left with just the dark Tones.
Create a SOLID WHITE LAYER
Select COLOUR RANGE and colour pick the chart
Create a NEW Layer with this Selection and drag it over the White Layer
Finally, just do spot healing to tidy up.

The process took me just under 5 minutes and below is what I am left with.

Please don't forget, I have just rushed through it and with more time and effort, you should be able to get a better result

How can I clean up a faded old document scan to make the text more readable?

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