Old photographs fade, crack, tear and stain. Some survive floods, others have been folded in a wallet for fifty years. Photo restoration repairs that damage digitally, so you can reprint, frame or share the image again.
We fix tears, creases, scratches, dust, stains, mould spots and missing corners, rebalance faded colour, and recover detail in washed-out areas. Black and white photos can be toned or, if you would like, colourised with care.
Restoration is sensitive work. We do not invent faces or features. Where something is badly damaged we rebuild it from what is left in the photo, and if a part is truly missing we will discuss options with you first.
What our photo restoration service includes
- Tear, crease and fold repair
- Scratch, dust and spot removal
- Stain, water and mould damage repair
- Missing corner and edge rebuilding
- Fade and colour cast correction
- Contrast and detail recovery
- Optional colourisation of black and white photos
- Print-ready output at the size you need
Before and after
Drag the slider to compare an unedited photo with the finished result. These are real photos edited by hand, not mock-ups.
Before After Who it is for
Family history
Restore portraits of grandparents and ancestors for albums and family trees.
Memorials and funerals
Prepare a clean photo for an order of service or display.
Anniversaries and gifts
Reprint wedding photos from decades ago.
Archives and historical societies
Digitally repair collections for exhibitions and publications.
Business heritage
Restore company history photos for anniversaries and websites.
How we make sure it looks right
The best restorations start with a good scan. Scan at 600 dpi or more, or photograph the print flat in even daylight without glare. We can advise if you are not sure.
We repair damage in layers, check the face and eyes at very high zoom, and keep the character of the original: film grain and the soft look of old lenses are part of the photo, so we do not over-sharpen.
How it works
- Scan and upload. Send a high-resolution scan or a careful phone photo of the print.
- Assess damage. We review the damage, tell you what is possible and quote.
- Restore. Editors repair tears, stains and fading by hand.
- Optional colour. We colourise only if you ask.
- Deliver. Print-ready files and a web copy for sharing.
Turnaround and file formats
Delivery time depends on the number of images and how complex they are, so we confirm a firm deadline with every quote rather than promising a one-size-fits-all number. Rush delivery is available for many jobs; just ask when you send your files.
We accept JPG, PNG, TIFF, PSD, HEIC, WebP and most camera RAW formats (CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF, DNG). You choose the output: high-quality JPG, transparent PNG, layered PSD, TIFF or WebP, in sRGB for web or another colour profile for print. We keep your file names and folder structure so the edited files drop straight back into your workflow.
Preparing your files
- Send the largest, sharpest version you have. We can always size down, but we cannot add detail that is not there.
- Tell us where the images will be used (Amazon, your own store, print, social) so we export the right size.
- Include one finished example or a reference image if you have a particular style in mind.
- Share large batches by Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer or a similar link.
Why hand editing still matters
Automatic tools are fast, and for some jobs they are good enough. The trouble is that they make the same small mistakes again and again: soft edges where there should be crisp ones, missing gaps, colour fringes, and details that quietly disappear. On a thumbnail you might not notice. On a zoomed product page, a printed catalogue or a large banner, customers do. Our photo restoration work is done by trained editors who look at every edge and every surface, and who can make judgement calls a tool cannot, such as what belongs to the product and what is just a reflection or a speck of dust.
Our quality checklist
- Every image is checked at 100% zoom, not just as a thumbnail.
- Edges are reviewed on contrasting backgrounds to catch halos and stray pixels.
- Colour is compared with the original so the product stays true to life.
- Sizing, margins and naming follow the brief for the whole batch.
- A second editor signs off each file before delivery.
Large and recurring orders
If you have a big catalogue or a regular flow of new products, we set up a short style guide with you on the first order covering background, margins, shadows, file size and naming. Every later batch follows it, whichever editor works on it, so your images stay consistent month after month. Regular clients also get volume pricing and a predictable delivery schedule agreed in advance, which makes it easier to plan product launches and seasonal drops.
Pricing
Every image is different, so we price photo restoration by complexity and volume. Send a few samples and we will reply with a clear per-image quote before you commit to anything. See our pricing page for how quotes work.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need the original photo?
No. A good scan or photo of the print is enough. Please keep the original safe.
What resolution should I scan at?
600 dpi for normal prints, higher for small photos.
Can you repair a missing face?
If part of a face is missing we can only rebuild it from what is there. We will tell you honestly what is possible.
Can you colourise black and white photos?
Yes, on request. We research typical colours and ask about known details like eye or hair colour.
Can I get a print?
We deliver print-ready files that you can print locally or online.
How long does restoration take?
It depends on damage. We give a delivery time with the quote.
Can I try the service before paying?
Yes. Send a few images through our free trial and judge the quality yourself, with no card needed.
Are my images kept private?
Yes. Your files are used only to complete your order and are not shared or used in our portfolio without your written permission.
Try our photo restoration service free
Send us a few images and we will edit them at no cost, so you can see the quality before placing an order.
Related services: Photo Retouching Service, Colour Correction Service, Portrait & Headshot Retouching.
