FAQ Questions About Scanning Photos

The Only Guide You Need To Digitize Your Photos Today, Including Top Photo Scanning FAQs

Simple steps, real stories, and smart tips to pick the best photo scanning service from the photo archivists at ScanMyPhotos.

I found a photo of my dad hugging me at Disneyland. I was six. That one print sat unseen for years in an album on a shelf. When I finally digitized it, the memory came back to life. If you have boxes of pictures, you know that feeling too. And you’re ready to save them before they fade, bend, or vanish in a move or storm.

Why digitizing your pictures matters now

Most printed photos never get looked at again after they’re developed. That is the quiet crisis behind so many family albums. It isn’t just nostalgia. National archives and libraries urge families to copy and back up photos, store them safely, and avoid risky handling.

The Library of Congress. Care, Handling, and Storage of Photographs
FEMA Shares Guidance for Protecting Photos Before and After Weather Disasters
Library of Congress Preserving Family Documents, Artifacts, and More

The Top 10 FAQ’s Everyone Asks About Scanning Photos

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a large box of old photos and wondering, “Where do I even begin?” you’re not alone. At ScanMyPhotos, we frequently hear these questions. Here are the top 10 most common questions families ask us, along with straightforward answers that will help ease your mind. Plus, we’ve created a simple checklist to help you transition from feeling overwhelmed to completing the digitization of your photos.

Top 10 FAQs About Photo Scanning to Digitize Pictures

1. How many photos can I send in for scanning? Most customers start with 500 or 1,000 pictures. And for giant archival organizations like museums and historical societies, it could range in the hundreds of thousands of photos to scan, as was the case with an entire nation that trusted ScanMyPhotos. With our fill-the-box deals, you can send as many as you want.

2. What is the cost of scanning photos? Our best offer: 250 photos for $50 with free return shipping. Or, fill an entire box for $145 that holds 1,800+ standard pictures with free S/H.

3. How long does it take to scan photos? Standard orders are quick, but if you need speed, select express same-day scanning. We’ll digitize your pictures within hours.

4. Are my photos secure when sent through the mail? Yes. We recommend adding a GPS tracker (like Apple AirTag) inside your package for extra peace of mind.

5. What should I do if my photos are stuck together or fading? Those need to be carefully reviewed first. Pictures with glue aren’t a deal breaker if you follow these tips to remove glue from pictures. Always select “Fix & Restore” on all scanning projects to enhance those older, vintage, faded images.

6. Will you return the original photos? Always. Your photos are shipped back with the JPEG or TIFF files.

7. Can you scan odd sizes like Polaroids or 8x10s? Yes. We handle everything from tiny 3×3″ wallet prints to 8×10″ enlargements.

8. Can I share digital copies with family? Absolutely. Your photos come back as high-resolution digital files, ready to upload, text, or email. This is so important to make sure your files are arched off-site and make many backups.

9. Do you offer backup storage? Yes. Add an archival backup so your memories are safely preserved online.

10. Why should I choose ScanMyPhotos.com? We’ve been doing this since 1990. Millions of photos scanned and featured on CBS Evening News, The Today Show, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Associated Press, and a dozen more. Families trust us because we treat every picture as if it were our own.

Final FAQ Thoughts

When you’re holding onto a lifetime of pictures, you deserve clear answers. These top 10 FAQs are just the beginning — and we’re here to make sure your family memories live on in digital form.

How to Prepare Your Photos For Scanning

Gather
Put pictures in one spot. Sort by decade or person. Keep a clean table and handle prints by the edges.

Decide Your Path
Professional photo scanning service for bulk photo scanning, consistent quality, and fast turnaround. DIY at home only for a few prints. It takes time and needs gear.

Prep Your Order
Remove tape, sticky notes, envelopes, and zip bags.

Ship With Peace of Mind
Use a sturdy box, add tracking, and include your own Apple AirTag or Tile inside for real-time visibility. ScanMyPhotos.com recommends this extra step.

Choose Your Outputs
Ask for high-resolution JPGs, high-resolution TIFF files, organized folders, and optional archival backup to ensure file safety in case a device fails. Protect your scanned copies off-site or in the cloud.

Share and Label
Add names, dates, and places. Share links with family so memories live beyond one house. Making copies for relatives.

How to pick the best photo scanning service
Use these clear criteria so you feel confident.

Quality
Look for accurate high-resolution scanning and clean color. Read the reviews.

Speed Options
Need it soon. Choose a provider that offers express same-day scanning when you are on a deadline.

Safety and Transparency
Favor services that encourage tracking and clearly explain shipping.

Formats Beyond Photo Prints
If you also have slides, negatives, or VHS tapes, confirm they handle those too and explain limits.

Cost Clarity
Flat-rate box pricing helps control the budget for big projects.

Step-by-step: From Box to Beautiful Digital Library. Top Tips for preparing photos for scanning from pro photo archivists.

• Create three piles. Keep, maybe, duplicate.
• Place keeps into 50–100 photo stacks.
• Add an index card to each stack with names and years.
• Pack stacks into a snug box with bubble wrap or paper.
• Put an AirTag or Tile inside. Seal, label, and ship with tracking.
• When files arrive, back them up to the computer, the cloud, and another location.

For Negatives, Home Movie Film, 35mm Slides, and VHS Tapes
Slides and negatives scan well when handled by pros. VHS and other magnetic media degrade with time, so do not wait. If a service still converts tapes, prioritize it now and always back up results.

This is about your family’s story. Start small. One shoebox this week. You will feel lighter when those moments are safe, searchable, and easy to share. Grateful you read this. Hope it helped. P.S. Waiting to digitize your photos. Now’s the time. Learn more ➡️ https://www.scanmyphotos.com

Digitize photos, preserve old photos, and bulk photo scanning. Save your pictures now with a simple plan. Learn how to choose the best photo scanning service, ship safely with tracking, and back up files the right way. Keep your family history secure and shareable. Ready to begin. Discover it here ➡️ https://www.scanmyphotos.com