Source: https://restorebunny.com/guides/restore-old-photos/ # How to Restore Old Photos Without Losing What Matters A practical workflow for scanning an old photo, repairing a digital copy, checking faces and text, and keeping the original safe. Restoration techniques6 min readUpdated 03 October 2026 Quick answer ## The short version Keep the physical original and an untouched digital master. Repair a copy using AI for broad damage or a manual editor for precise local changes, then compare faces, text and colour with the source before saving. Missing detail may be reconstructed rather than recovered. ## Diagnose the problem before choosing a repair - Glare or poor camera focus: improve the capture first; use the glare guide before digital repair. - Scratches or stains in the print: repair a duplicate scan, then check the affected areas against the source. - A small shared file: ask for the original before upscaling a compressed copy. - A print that looks soft only when enlarged: check the final crop and effective PPI before adding enhancement. ## Why old photos get damaged Start by separating damage to the physical photograph from problems in its digital capture. A scratch in the print needs digital repair; a reflection from a phone camera may disappear with a better capture. Find the best available source before asking an editor or AI model to reconstruct detail. If the print is brittle, flaking, mould-affected, stuck in an album or attached to glass, do not force it flat, peel it free or apply household cleaning products. Keep the original and seek a photograph conservator's advice when safe handling is uncertain. Digital restoration does not treat or stabilise the physical object. ## Choose AI, manual editing or specialist help - AI restoration can provide a quick candidate for broad scratches, fading and visual cleanup, but it may invent facial detail or change colours. - A manual editor with healing, cloning and masks offers more control over a small crease, caption or isolated blemish. - A restoration specialist is useful for valuable portraits, extensive missing areas or strict identity requirements; ask what will be reconstructed. - A photograph conservator addresses the physical object's condition, which is a different job from improving a digital display copy. ## Write a specific repair brief List the defects you want corrected and the details that must remain unchanged. For example: reduce the scratch across the jacket, retain the original expression and hair colour, preserve the handwritten date, and keep the image black-and-white. Avoid combining damage repair, colourization and a new background unless you actually want all three. Instructions help communicate intent but do not guarantee a faithful result. If your photo also has visible spots or water damage, review our [guide on how to remove stains from old photos]() before you export the final image. ## Step-by-step guide to restore a photo 1. **Step 1: Scan or upload your photo.** Use a high-quality scan whenever possible. Choose resolution from the original size and intended print: a 4×6-inch scan at 600 DPI gives about 2400×3600 pixels. Keep the full uncropped master. Use the scan DPI calculator for your own dimensions; tiny originals or large crops need a separate check. 2. **Step 2: Use an AI restoration tool.** Upload your image to [RestoreBunny](). 3. **Step 3: Repair a working copy.** Choose the operation that matches the defect. Keep colourization separate from restoration when the original colours are unknown. 4. **Step 4: Inspect before accepting.** Compare the source and result at equal scale. Check every face, meaningful text, clothing, hands, borders and background. Save an accepted version separately; do not overwrite the source. ## Tips for better results - Request the original file instead of enlarging a messaging thumbnail when a better copy is available. - Correct capture glare and poor focus before generation; a larger file alone cannot restore missing evidence. - Check hair colour, apparent age and expression, not just sharpness. Reject a result that changes identity. - For printing, inspect exported pixel dimensions and the print service's crop preview, then make a small proof. ## Keep a restoration history Keep the original scan, accepted restoration and any interpretive colourized version as separate files. Record significant reconstructed areas and uncertain identifications. A natural-looking result can be a useful display copy without being an exact record of details that were missing from the source. Ready to try a digital repair on a copy of your photo? [Start restoring your photos now](). ## FAQs Does restoration change faces or make photos look fake? It can. Generative restoration may invent or alter features, especially in small or badly damaged faces. Compare with the original, use conservative instructions and reject changes to identity or meaningful details. What counts as 1 restoration? 1 restoration equals 1 generated output image from 1 input photo. Multi-photo uploads use 1 credit per successful output. ## Sources Preservation and technical guidance reviewed for this article. - U.S. National Archives: [Digitizing Family Papers and Photographs]() ## Related - [Check exported pixels before printing]() - [Send originals or labelled sharing copies]() - [Choose a scan resolution]() - [Restoration quality checklist]() - [Protect handwriting and dates]() - [How to Remove Stains from Old Photos]() - [AI Photo Restoration]() - [AI Photo Colorizer]() - [AI Image Upscaler]() - [Pricing]() ## Ready to restore your photos? Upload an image, choose your settings, and preview results with a before/after slider. [Get Started]()[View Pricing]() RestoreBunny Team Photo restoration editors Guides follow our [editorial policy]() for sourcing, product claims, AI limitations, updates, and corrections.