What is the Best Resolution for Scanning Photos?

Are you eager to relive the cherished memories captured in your old photographs by converting them into digital photos, but struggling with the uncertainty of choosing the best resolution for scanning? Questions like "What is the best resolution for scanning my photos?", "How do I ensure the scanned images don't lose detail?" or "What exactly does DPI mean?" are common inquiries we receive from our clients at Forever Studios on a daily basis.

If these questions leave you perplexed, worry no more – you're in the right place, and we're here to help! Forever Studios' expertise lies in addressing daily inquiries about photo scanning resolution. With over 15 years of experience in photo scanning, we understand the nuances of color preservation and the importance of recreating the original vibrancy of your photos.

Let's simplify the process and provide you with all the essential details to make well-informed decisions when converting your photos into digital images.

What is DPI?

DPI stands for "dots per inch," and it is a crucial factor when choosing the best resolution for scanning photos because it determines the level of detail and quality in the digital image. 

If you plan to enlarge an image substantially for printing, we always advise starting with a higher DPI resolution. This precaution ensures that your print maintains its clarity and sharpness, avoiding any pixelation or loss of quality in the process.

We know that each project is unique, and factors like the printing press capabilities, paper quality, and viewing distance can make a significant difference in the final result.

Here are some of our guidelines for DPI settings for various printed media:

Photo Prints:

• High-quality prints for framing or professional use: 300 DPI or higher.

• Standard photo prints for personal use: 200 - 300 DPI.

Consumer Inkjet Printers:

• For general use, such as documents or casual photo prints: 150 - 200 DPI.

• For higher-quality photo prints: 240 - 300 DPI.

Brochures and Flyers:

• Standard quality brochures: 300 DPI.

• For more intricate designs or images, consider using 350-400 DPI.

Posters and Prints:

• Small to medium-sized posters: 150 - 300 DPI.

• Large format posters for exhibitions or events: 100 - 150 DPI.

Glossy Color Magazines:

• 240 - 300 DPI: For sharp images and text in high-end glossy magazines.

• 180 - 240 DPI: For standard quality glossy magazines.

Books and Magazines (Interior Pages):

• Standard books and magazines: 150 - 300 DPI.

• High-quality art books or photography magazines: 200 - 400 DPI.

Newspapers:

• 85 - 150 DPI: Newspapers use relatively low DPI due to the fast printing process and the type of paper used.

Business Cards:

• 300 - 600 DPI: Use higher DPI for cards with intricate designs, photos, or fine text.

Packaging and Labels:

• Product labels: 300 - 600 DPI.

• Packaging designs: 150 - 300 DPI, higher for detailed designs.

Calendars:

• Wall calendars: 150 - 300 DPI.

• Desk calendars: 200 - 350 DPI.

Greeting Cards:

• 300 - 600 DPI: Especially for cards with high-quality images or artwork.

Fine Art Prints:

• 300 - 600 DPI: For museum-quality prints with exceptional detail.

Photo Books:

• 300 DPI: For high-quality photo books with sharp images.

Postcards:

• 300 - 600 DPI: For vibrant and clear postcards.

What is PPI?

PPI stands for Pixels Per Inch. It is a measure used to describe the resolution of digital images displayed on screens, such as computer monitors, smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices. PPI determines the density of pixels within a one-inch area of the screen.

Imagine your screen is like a big grid made up of many tiny squares, and each square is a pixel. The more pixels there are in each inch, the more detailed and clear the images and text will appear on your screen. Just like having more dots in a drawing makes it more detailed and colorful, having more pixels in each inch makes the images and text on your screen look sharper and more lifelike.

For example, when you look at a picture on your phone with high PPI, you can see all the small details in the image, and it looks very clear. This higher pixel density allows for crisper text, sharper images, and better overall visual quality. But if the PPI is low, the picture may look blurry or pixelated, and it's harder to see the details.

While PPI (Pixels Per Inch) is commonly associated with digital displays, it also plays a crucial role in determining the quality of printed or scanned images.

Alright, without any more delays, here are some handy tables we've created to show you the typical pixel resolutions for both digital and printed media.

Determining the Best Scanning Resolution

Let's explore the essential factors for choosing the best resolution when scanning photos:

1.The original Size and Quality of your photo

The size and quality of the original photo have a significant impact on the scanning resolution.If your photo is small or of lower quality, we take a thoughtful approach to avoid scanning it at excessively high resolutions that might not significantly improve the detail. Instead, we utilize our expertise to find the right balance that enhances the image while avoiding unnecessary file size increase. On the other hand, for larger and high-quality photos, we make sure to leverage higher scanning resolutions to preserve all the finer details, resulting in impressive and accurate scans.

2. Intended use of the scanned photo

The purpose for which you plan to use the scanned photo is a crucial factor in determining the scanning resolution.If your photo is destined for archival purposes, professional printing, or other high-quality applications, we recommend scanning at higher resolutions, typically 600 DPI or more. By doing so, we ensure that all the essential details are retained for future use or reproductions. Conversely, if the scanned photo is intended for general use, such as social media sharing or digital displays, we opt for lower scanning resolutions, typically around 150 - 300 DPI. This not only reduces file sizes, making it easy to share but also maintains a balance between quality and usability on digital platforms.

3.The capability of the scanning device

The scanning device's optical resolution capabilities play a vital role in the scanning process.The optical resolution represents the actual physical capability of the scanner to capture details. At Forever Studios, we pride ourselves on using state-of-the-art scanning devices with superior optical resolution capabilities. 

Recommended DPIs for Scanning Old Photos

When venturing into the world of photo scanning, finding the ideal DPI (dots per inch) is crucial to achieve the best possible results. However, the recommended DPI may vary depending on many factors (such as photo size, photo type, intended use of a photo, storage space or YOUR own unique preferences).

Best DPI based on Photo Size: 

Small Photos (Wallet-sized, 3x5 inches, 4x6 inches): Based on our experience, when dealing with small photos, we suggest scanning them at a slightly higher DPI, around 600 DPI. As small photos have limited initial detail, a higher DPI scan captures more information.

Medium Photos (5x7 inches, 8x10 inches): From our experience, a DPI of 400 to 600 is generally sufficient for medium-sized photos. These sizes often have more inherent detail, so a moderate DPI setting should capture most of the relevant information.

Large Photos (11x14 inches, 16x20 inches): Based on our experience, we recommend a DPI of 300 to 600 for scanning large photos. 

Panoramic Photos: To maintain the sweeping detail of these images, we recommend using a DPI of 600 to 1200 for scanning panoramic photos. 

Passport Photos: Passport-sized photos are small and intended for identification purposes. While they may not have intricate details, we recommend scanning passport photos at a DPI of 600 to ensure clear and accurate representation in digital form.

Square Photos: Square photos have equal dimensions on all sides, creating a unique composition. A DPI of 300 to 600 is generally sufficient for scanning square photos, as it captures the square format's details without creating excessively large file sizes.

Best DPI based on Photo Type:

Black and White Photos: Based on our experience, black and white photos typically have less color information but can possess intricate patterns and textures. A DPI of 300 to 600 is generally sufficient for most black and white photo sizes.

Color Photos: From our experience, for color photos with vibrant details and rich colors, a DPI of 300 to 600 is a safe range. 

Sepia Photos: Since these photos typically resemble black and white images, a DPI setting of 300 to 600 is generally sufficient.

Polaroid Photos: A DPI of 300 should be sufficient for most Polaroid photos, as scanning at higher resolutions might not significantly enhance the image due to the inherent limitations of the original format.

Slides and Negatives: From our experience, a DPI setting of 1200 to 2400 is recommended for slides and negatives. 

Scrapbook or Collage Photos: we recommend a higher DPI of around 600 to 1200. This will ensure that the individual photos retain their clarity even when scanned as part of a larger composition.

Textured or Artistic Photos: we advise a DPI of 600 to 1200 to capture the fine details and textures accurately.

BEST DPI for Your Unique Preferences

Discovering the best DPI for your unique preferences is vital when it comes to photo scanning. Personal tastes and desired aesthetics can influence the choice of resolution. Let's explore this further with a few examples from Forever Studios.

Once, we had a professional photographer as our client, seeking to achieve a detailed and refined look.To make it happen, we recommended scanning their photos at a higher DPI setting of 1200.If we had chosen a lower DPI setting, such as 600 DPI, some of the finer elements in the photos might have been lost, compromising the overall image quality.

On another occasion, a client brought us a collection of old family photographs and wanted to embrace a vintage appearance. To perfectly align with their artistic vision, we suggested scanning the images at a lower DPI setting of 300.Had we selected a higher DPI setting, such as 600 DPI, the images might have appeared overly sharp and modern, detracting from the desired vintage look our client sought to achieve.

Best DPI for different purposes:

Standard View: For displaying photos on screens or sharing digitally, a DPI of 300 is typically sufficient. 

Printing Standard Photos: for personal albums or framing, we recommend a DPI of 300. This ensures that the printed images appear crisp and detailed when viewed from a typical distance.

Fine Art Prints: For professional photographers or artists looking to create high-quality fine art prints, a higher DPI of 600 or more is preferable in our opinion. 

Billboards and Large Displays: A DPI of 30 to 100 may suffice, as viewers typically observe such displays from a significant distance, and extremely high resolution is not necessary.

Best DPI based on Available Storage Space

Limited Smartphone Storage: in that case, we suggest selecting a moderate DPI setting of 300 if you have limited storage capacity on your smartphone.

Cloud Storage: For users who have integrated cloud storage with their smartphones, we recommend considering higher DPI settings, such as 600 or above.

External Storage:

For external storage of scanned photos, we suggest you opt for higher DPI settings (600 or 1200) to ensure exceptional image clarity, taking into account available capacity and the importance of the photos.

Quick Sharing on Social Media:

For this purpose, we recommend a DPI setting of 300, which strikes the right balance between image quality and file size.

Long-Term Preservation: At Forever Studios, we recommend scanning at 600 or 1200 DPI for the best image resolution and detail retention.

Best Image Format For Scanning Photos

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group):

JPEG  is one of the most popular image formats used worldwide. It was designed to efficiently compress digital images while maintaining reasonable image quality.

Pros:

• High compatibility with most devices, software, and platforms.

• Small file size, making it ideal for quick sharing on social media and web usage.

• Easy to use, making it beginner-friendly for photo scanning and sharing.

• Supports auto-adjustments for colors and tones, requiring minimal post-processing.

Cons:

• Lossy compression can lead to a slight reduction in image quality over time with repeated edits and saves.

• Not ideal for professional printing or archival purposes due to potential loss of detail.

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format):

The Tagged Image File Format, commonly known as TIFF is widely used in the professional photography and printing industries due to its ability to preserve high-quality images without any loss of data or compression.

Pros:

• Lossless compression preserves all image data, ensuring the highest image quality.

• Suitable for professional printing, large-format displays, and archival purposes.

• Provides extensive editing flexibility and retains all details without degradation.

Cons:

• Larger file sizes compared to JPEG and PNG, requiring more storage space.

• May not be supported by all devices and web platforms due to its size and complexity.

• Less beginner-friendly for casual users due to its larger file size and compatibility limitations.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics):

PNG was created as an alternative to GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) for use on the web and digital images.

Pros:

• Supports lossless compression and retains excellent image quality.

• Ideal for web graphics, images with transparency, and lossless image editing.

• Widely supported by web browsers and software, making it versatile for various purposes.

Cons:

• Larger file sizes than JPEG, which can impact storage and loading times on the web.

• May not be the best choice for high-quality printing due to file size and compression limitations.

• Not as widely supported as JPEG for some printing services and software.

So, which image format to choose?

At Forever Studios, we consider your specific requirements before suggesting the ideal image format. For smaller file sizes and easy sharing on digital platforms, JPEG is popular and practical. For professional printing, large-format displays, or preserving original image data, TIFF is preferred. PNG is well-suited for web graphics, images with transparency, and lossless editing.