Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of photo scanning varies depending on the service provider, the number of photos, and the desired resolution. Many companies offer tiered pricing based on quantity and other upgrades which adds a lot of hidden costs to the final total

Raleigh Digital Legacy Photos pricing is all inclusive with ZERO hidden costs which includes free pickup and return of your photos in the local area! For more information, check out our Pricing page

Use the "1 Inch Rule", 1” = 100 photos (stacked or filed vertically). A typical shoebox of loose 3”x5” and 4”x6” prints contains approximately 1,000 photos.

Generally, most scanning projects take between 7-10 business days to complete.

However, the time may vary depending on the number of photos and whether they're loose or in albums. Once we have a count of the photos to be scanned, we'll be able to give a more accurate timeline.

Absolutely! While we offer photo pick ups in the Raleigh area, we also are able to receive photos mailed to us directly!

For more information, email us at info@raleighdigitallegacyphotos.com

or

use our Contact page to send us a message!

Yes, absolutely! Depending on how delicate they are, we can physically scan them or use an overhead photo scanner to digitize them without touching them at all

Yes, our photo scanning services offer different resolutions for your scanned photos. The most common options are 300dpi (dots per inch) and 600dpi. Here's a breakdown to help you decide which resolution is best for your needs:

300dpi Photo Scans:

• Good for: Basic online sharing, viewing on screens, and printing at smaller sizes (4x6 prints or smaller).
• Benefits: Smaller file size, faster scan times, and often a more affordable option.

600dpi Photo Scans:

• Good for: High-quality prints, significant enlargements, zooming in on details, and future-proofing your scans.
• Benefits: Captures more detail, allowing for professional-looking prints and potential future uses you might not anticipate now.

DPI (dots per inch) refers to the number of pixels used to represent an inch in a scanned image. 300dpi is suitable for most online sharing and basic printing needs. 600dpi is recommended for high-quality prints or significant enlargements.

The key difference lies in the level of detail captured and how it impacts the final use of the image. Here's a breakdown to help you choose:

DPI (Dots Per Inch): Imagine your scanned photo as a mosaic made of tiny squares called pixels. DPI tells you how many of these squares (pixels) are packed into a single linear inch of the image.

300dpi Scans:

• Detail: Captures a good amount of detail, suitable for viewing on screens and basic printing needs (4x6 prints or smaller). The human eye generally struggles to distinguish individual pixels at this resolution when viewing from a normal distance.
• File Size: Smaller file size compared to 600dpi scans, making them easier to store and share online.
• Scanning Speed: Scanning at 300dpi is often faster due to less data being captured.
• Cost: Often a more affordable option compared to 600dpi scans.

600dpi Scans:

• Detail: Captures significantly more detail, allowing for zooming in on specific areas without losing sharpness. Ideal for high-quality prints (larger than 4x6) or wanting to preserve the potential for future uses you might not anticipate now.
• File Size: Larger file size due to the increased amount of data captured.
• Scanning Speed: Scanning at 600dpi may take longer due to the processing of more data.
• Cost: May cost slightly more than 300dpi scans due to the additional processing power required.

Choosing the Right Resolution:

• For everyday use: Sharing photos online, viewing on screens, or basic printing (4x6 or smaller) - 300dpi is a good choice.
• For high-quality prints: Creating larger prints (8x10 or bigger) or wanting professional-looking results - 600dpi is recommended.
• For future-proofing: If you're unsure about future uses but want the best possible digital copy, 600dpi offers more flexibility.

Remember: You can always downsize a 600dpi scan to 300dpi for online sharing, but you can't increase the detail of a 300dpi scan if you later need a high-resolution print.

The turnaround time for scanning a box of photos varies depending on the number of photos and how many clients are currently in the queue. For a rush job with an immediate turnaround time, we do have an additional fee requirement. Please reach out to us directly for more information!

Email: info@raleighdigitallegacyphotos.com

We can handle a wide range of photo sizes, from wallet-sized prints to large format photos. Contact us if you have any questions about specific sizes.

Here are some helpful tips on how to prepare your photos for scanning:

• Gather and Organize: Collect your photos and organize them by date, event, or any other system that makes sense for you. This will make the scanning process more efficient and easier for you to manage your digital files later.
• Safety First: Remove any items attached to your photos that could damage them during scanning, such as paperclips, staples, rubber bands, or adhesive tape. Gently peel off any corner tabs or protective sleeves that might be stuck to the photos.
• Dust it Off: Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe away any dust, dirt, or debris from the surface of your photos. Avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaning solutions.
• Flat is Best: Ensure your photos are as flat as possible. Curled or bent photos can cause scanning issues. If necessary, place them under a heavy book for a few hours to flatten them out gently.
• Separate the Sticky: If you have photos stuck together, don't try to force them apart. Bring them to your scanning service provider for safe separation to avoid damaging the photos.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

• Originals Only: We recommend sending original photos for the best possible scan quality. Avoid sending photocopies or damaged originals.
• Labeling: If you have any important information about the photos (dates, names, locations), feel free to write it on the back of the photos as our scanning service includes front & back side scanning.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure your precious photos are prepped and ready for a smooth and successful scanning process, allowing you to preserve your memories in a digital format.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about preparing your photos for scanning!

Your original photos are returned to you safely after the scanning process is complete. We offer a complimentary pick-up and return service within the Raleigh area for your convenience.

We typically scan photos in high-quality JPEG format, which is compatible with most devices and software. If you have a preference for a different format (e.g., TIFF, PNG), please let us know at the time of your order.

Yes we do!

While we don't offer long-term cloud storage, we do upload your scanned photos to a secure cloud service for a limited time to facilitate download. We recommend saving your scanned photos to a permanent storage solution like an external hard drive.

Once your photos are scanned, we upload them to the cloud into a private gallery that only you have access to. We'll send you a secure link with a password directly to your email. From there you can view, purchase, and download your photos!

Yes, it's included in your photo scanning service!

Original and Edited Files: We understand the importance of preserving your photos in their original state. That's why we provide both the original scan and an edited version for each photo you entrust to us. This allows you to have the best of both worlds: a pristine digital copy of the original photo and an enhanced version for sharing or printing.

Our editing services address things like:

• Cropping: We adjust the composition of your photos by cropping unwanted areas.
• Brightness/Contrast: We correct brightness and contrast levels to improve the overall clarity of your scans.
• Color Correction: For faded photos, we can offer basic color correction to restore vibrancy (additional fees may apply for extensive color correction).

If you have any specific photo editing requests, we'd be happy to discuss them with you to determine the best course of action. Let us know how we can help you preserve and enhance your cherished memories!

1,000 photos would roughly fill up a regular sized shoebox.

At 300 DPI:

• $0.50 per photo
• 1,000 photos
• Total = $500

At 600 DPI

• $0.65
• 1,000 photos
• Total = $650