Will scanning old photo prints at an office store damage them?
Asked 12/1/2012
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I have photo prints from the 1960s and 1970s, and the negatives are gone. The prints are starting to fade, so I want to digitize them before they deteriorate further. If I use a typical office-store scanner, is the scanning light likely to cause noticeable damage to the prints? Would a standard flatbed scanner be safe enough, or is it better to use a specialty photo lab?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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The scanning process shouldn't damage your prints in any perceptible way. If you were to scan them multiple (read hundreds) of times then there might be a noticeable effect.
I'd make sure you use a flatbed style scanner- not the document feeder, which can subject prints to mechanical stress. Even a flatbed requires some care if the prints are badly curled.
Scan at the highest reasonable resolution you can (you might not get a second chance). I'd go for at least 300 dpi if you think you'll be making new prints from the scans.
Originally by user11772. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11772
13y ago
0
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A normal scan should not noticeably damage photographic prints. The light exposure from a scanner is very brief, so one-time or occasional scanning is generally safe; any visible effect would be more of a concern only after very large numbers of scans.
The bigger risk is mechanical handling, not the light. Use a flatbed scanner rather than an automatic document feeder, which can scratch, bend, or stress older prints. If the prints are curled or fragile, handle them carefully and make sure the scanner glass is clean.
For preservation, scan at the highest practical resolution you can, especially if you may want to make new prints later. At least 300 dpi is a sensible minimum for prints; higher can be worthwhile if the scanner supports it well.
A specialty photo lab may offer better quality or help with delicate originals, but for basic safety, a standard flatbed scanner is generally fine.
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