Scanning Methods Compared
Not all scans are created equal. A cleaner capture method will usually outperform a bigger but messier file of the same print.
| Method | Quality | Resolution | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatbed Scanner (600 DPI) | Great default | 600 DPI | Best practical choice for most prints. Clean 600 DPI scans usually restore better than a larger phone photo of the same print. |
| Flatbed Scanner (2400 DPI) | Archival best | 1200-2400 DPI | Use for higher-detail archival captures when the print and scanner justify it. Larger files, but more headroom for preservation and careful retouching. |
| Google PhotoScan | Best phone-based | Auto (multi-shot) | Best option when a flatbed is not available. Multi-shot capture helps reduce glare. May introduce alignment artifacts on damaged prints — check edges carefully. |
| Nostalgia Built-in Scanner | Good | Auto | Quick capture with automatic edge detection and crop. Best when you want speed and convenience over archival detail. |
| Phone Camera | Fallback | Depends on phone | Fastest path, but most likely to introduce glare, shadows, perspective distortion, and empty background that AI cannot fully fix later. |
Best practical choice for most prints. Clean 600 DPI scans usually restore better than a larger phone photo of the same print.
Use for higher-detail archival captures when the print and scanner justify it. Larger files, but more headroom for preservation and careful retouching.
Best option when a flatbed is not available. Multi-shot capture helps reduce glare. May introduce alignment artifacts on damaged prints — check edges carefully.
Quick capture with automatic edge detection and crop. Best when you want speed and convenience over archival detail.
Fastest path, but most likely to introduce glare, shadows, perspective distortion, and empty background that AI cannot fully fix later.
Tips for Phone Scanning
Most people scan with their phone. These four tips make the biggest difference in output quality.
- 1Use indirect natural light
Photograph near a window with diffused daylight. Avoid direct sunlight and overhead fluorescent lights, which cause harsh reflections.
- 2Place photo on a dark, flat background
A dark table or black cloth prevents light from bouncing around the edges of the photo and helps auto-crop detect borders.
- 3Hold your phone parallel to the photo
Keep the phone directly above, not at an angle. Perspective distortion makes faces look stretched and edges uneven.
- 4Avoid casting shadows
Position yourself so your body and hands do not block the light source. If you see your shadow on the photo, shift your angle.
Flatbed Scanner Setup
If you have access to a flatbed scanner, it will usually produce the most trustworthy input for restoration. Here are the recommended settings.
A clean 600 DPI flatbed scan is the strong practical default for prints. Move up to 1200 or 2400 DPI when the print has real detail worth preserving and you want an archival master, not just a social-ready restore. Use your scanner's optical resolution — interpolated DPI beyond the optical limit adds file size but no real detail.
Recommended scanners ($60 - $100 range): Epson Perfection V39, Canon CanoScan LiDE 400, or any USB flatbed scanner with 600+ DPI optical resolution. You do not need a high-end film scanner for prints.
Common Issues and Fixes
These are the problems we see most often, and how to solve them before uploading.
Glare on glossy prints
Use Google PhotoScan (multi-shot removes glare) or scan with a flatbed. If some glare remains, Nostalgia's Deglare tool can reduce mild to moderate hot spots. For heavy glare, rescanning with indirect light is more effective than AI correction.
Blurry scans
Hold your phone steady and use the camera timer (2-second delay). Rest your elbows on the table or use a phone stand. If blur persists, Nostalgia's Deblur tool can recover sharpness from camera shake — run it as the first step before restoration.
Uneven shadows
Use two light sources on opposite sides of the photo for even illumination. Avoid single-source overhead lighting.
Dust and specks
Gently clean the photo surface with a soft microfiber cloth. If using a flatbed, wipe the glass with a lint-free cloth before scanning.
Archival markings, film borders, or catalog numbers
Crop out album page edges, tape, handwriting, film sprocket holes, catalog numbers, and any text overlays before uploading. The AI may try to restore these as part of the image, producing unwanted artifacts.
Ready to restore your scans?
Upload the photos you just scanned. Nostalgia handles scratches, fading, and color recovery automatically.