Features & Options
Key features of our scanning service are explained below to help you decide on the scanning options that best suit your requirements. Should you need any further information or assistance please don't hesitate to Contact Us.
High Resolution Scan
Our High Resolution Scan includes the following features:
Per Item Processing
Every slide, negative, APS frame or print is individually assessed and manually processed to ensure the best quality digital copy of each. We do not batch scan which can compromise image quality or use auto-feeders which can damage delicate slides and prints.
Levels, Brightness & Contrast
We manually set the levels, brightness and contrast of each scan for the best possible result. This allows us to compensate for under- or over-exposed originals where automatic settings might not be appropriate.
Image Rotation
We rotate all images to their correct orientation for convenient viewing on a monitor or television.
4000ppi Film Scan Resolution
Slides, negatives and other film formats are digitised at 4000 pixels per inch to create the largest, sharpest digital copies. Film scanned at 4000ppi creates digital images that are perfect for all digital and online uses, editing, cropping, post-processing and printing at large sizes.
300ppi Print Scan Resolution
Print scan resolution is limited by the resolution the print was originally printed at. The optimum scan resolution for the majority of prints is 300ppi which produces sharp digital copies from a wide variety of prints. Prints scanned at 300ppi create digital images that are perfect for all digital and online uses such as digital photo frames, emailing, web sites etc. and also make excellent quality prints up to the size of the original print and good quality enlargements.
JPEG Images
JPEG has become the standard file format for storing digital photos and is supported by the majority of computers and digital image equipment and services.
JPEG uses "lossy" compression to make image file sizes around 10 times smaller then uncompressed files. This makes JPEG files convenient to view, store and transfer. However, "lossy" compression discards image data to achieve small file sizes. Although the discarded data is almost unperceivable to the human eye JPEG is not considered a true archive format because of its compression. JPEG images are best for emailing, uploading to websites or web services and for printing. Repeated editing and saving of JPEG images results in further loss of data.
Manual Cropping
Cropping is the process of removing unwanted borders from the edges of scanned images. A cropped image is ready to be displayed or printed without any further time consuming editing.
We manually crop each frame to include as much of the original image as possible. Automatic cropping offered by our competitors uses a "one size fits all" approach that can crop important details or leave black borders.
Cropping Illustrated
This scan of a slide from 1967 shows considerable colour distortion as well as a black border created by the silhouette of the slide mount (left). Manual cropping removes this border to create a neater final image (right).
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Click for full size image (~3mb). Please note your browser might automatically resize the image which reduces quality, view at 100% scale if possible.
Colour Correction
Even carefully stored slides are susceptible to discolouration and fading over time which often appears as a blue or purple tint across the entire image. Digital ROC colour correction is a semi-automatic process that takes place in the scanner hardware to restore faded and shifted colours. We manually process and check each image to ensure the best possible scan results.
Colour Correction Illustrated
This scan of a slide from 1967 shows considerable colour distortion and fading (left). Digital ROC colour correction restores faded and shifted colours to create a more vibrant and natural final image (right).
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Click for full size image (~3mb). Please note your browser might automatically resize the image which reduces quality, view at 100% scale if possible.
Digital Cleaning
Digital Cleaning is the process of removing unsightly dust, scratches, fingerprints and other minor imperfections from scanned images. This process does not affect your original films or prints in any way.
Our Digital Cleaning option now includes:
- Digital ICE automatic dust and scratch removal
- Manual retouching
- Red eye removal
Digital ICE
Our scanners incorporate Digital ICE technology that automatically removes small scratches and dust during the scanning process. It works by using an infra red scanning pass to detect surface debris and generate a "dirt map" that can be used to mask out dust and scratches from the final image.
Digital ICE is not guaranteed to remove all dust and scratches and may not work on some types of films and prints but in the majority of cases Digital ICE produces exceptional results.
Manual Retouching
In cases where Digital ICE does not meet our standards or cannot be used we will retouch your scans by hand. As manual retouching is an extremely time consuming and costly process we focus on removing marks, scratches and minor imperfections and damage from prominent areas only.
This is not a full restoration and repair service and we do not guarantee correction of major physical damage or damage to intricate detail but we do endeavour to correct as many minor problems as possible.
Red Eye Removal
The red eye effect is the common appearance of red eyes on photos taken with an automatic flash. We will manually correct red eye by restoring the affected areas to a more natural appearance.
Digital Cleaning Illustrated
This scan of a slide from 1967 has accumulated dirt and scratches that are almost invisible to the naked eye but are more than apparent when the image is projected or scanned (left). Digital ICE almost completely removes these unsightly marks to create a much cleaner final image (right).
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Click for full size image (~3mb). Please note your browser might automatically resize the image which reduces quality, view at 100% scale if possible.
TIFF Images
TIFF is a professional file format for storing digital images and is supported by the majority of image editing programs.
TIFF uses "lossless" compression to make image file sizes smaller then uncompressed files but still significantly larger than JPEG files. TIFF can be considered a true archive format because no image data is discarded during compression. TIFF images are not recommended for emailing, uploading to websites or web services but are ideal for repeated editing, processing and printing.
Archive Quality
We only use Archival Gold CDs and DVDs. Manufactured with a 24 karat gold reflective layer and with an estimated lifespan of over 100 years these discs are the most reliable method of storing your precious digital photos.
Presentation Packaging
Your order is packaged in full size multiple-disc DVD cases featuring printed discs and jackets customised with the archive date.
Photo Slideshow+ DVD New!
An Archival Gold DVD-R featuring a widescreen photo slideshow for convenient viewing of all your images on a TV/DVD player or PC plus all your JPEG/TIFF images. A Photo Slideshow+ DVD makes a memorable gift.
Photo Archive DVD
An Archival Gold DVD-R including all your JPEG/TIFF images only.
Photo Archive CD
An Archival Gold CD-R including all your JPEG images only. Please note this option is not available with TIFF images.
Bulk Discount
We offer bulk discounts on large orders using a tiered discount structure. Please see our Prices & Orders page for current rates.
Extra Copies
Extra copies of your order are identical to the first and include any number of discs and all packaging and printing for one flat rate.
Extra copies can be ordered with your original order or at any time after. To order extra copies of a previous order please Contact Us for further details.
6"×4" Prints New!
Add a set of 6"×4" gloss prints to your order and save yourself the time and money required to print your photos at home or upload your digital images to an online print service.
Our gloss prints are printed by a professional print service on FujiFilm Crystal Archive paper at 300dpi and have an estimated fade resistance of 150 years.
