Important pricing rule:

These package rates apply to photographs with light to moderate damage.

Extensive tears, missing faces, major missing sections, complex background reconstruction,

or substantial object removal should require an assessment and a separate quote before work begins.



Complex restoration at $50–$100+ per photograph, depending on the amount of manual work required.

How to Create a Digital Copy of Your Old Photograph

A simple guide to preparing your treasured memories for restoration and colorization.

Do you have an old family photograph that you would love to restore, but you're not sure how to send it digitally?

Don't worry! You can create a digital copy at home using a smartphone or a scanner.

Follow the instructions below to prepare your photograph for Zelias Designs Arts' Old Photo Restoration & Colorization services.

OPTION 1: Use Your Smartphone

This is the easiest option if you don't own a scanner.

Step 1: Prepare your photograph.

• Place your photograph on a clean, flat surface.
• Choose a surface that contrasts with the edges of your photograph.
• Keep the original photograph away from liquids, direct sunlight, and anything that could cause further damage.
• Do not attempt to flatten curled photographs or repair tears yourself.
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Step 2: Find good lighting.

• Use bright, indirect daylight whenever possible.
• Avoid direct sunlight, which can create glare and harsh shadows.
• Turn off the camera flash.
• Avoid overhead lights that reflect off glossy photographs.

Step 3: Position your phone.

• Hold your phone directly above the photograph.
• Keep the camera parallel to the surface so the picture is not distorted.
• Make sure all four edges are visible.
• Keep your hands steady and tap the screen to focus on the photograph.

Step 4: Take the picture.

• Use your phone's regular camera or a document-scanning app.
• Select the highest practical image quality.
• Avoid filters, portrait effects, beauty effects, and automatic color changes.
• Do not crop out damaged edges, scratches, or tears. These details help determine the restoration work required.

Step 5: Check your image.

Before sending it, zoom in and check that faces, clothing, and other details are as clear as possible. Retake the picture if it is blurry, tilted, or affected by glare.

Save the image in its original quality. JPEG or PNG files are suitable for most photographs.

OPTION 2: Use a Flatbed Scanner

A scanner can provide excellent detail for photographs that are flat and safe to handle

.

Step 1: Gently place the photograph on the scanner glass. Do not force a photograph that is curled, fragile, stuck to another surface, or at risk of breaking.

Step 2: Choose a color scan, even if the original photograph is black and white or sepia-toned.

Step 3: Select a resolution of 600 DPI when available. This is a useful starting point for detailed photo restoration.

Step 4: Scan the entire photograph, including its borders and damaged areas.

Step 5: Save the scan as a high-quality TIFF, PNG, or JPEG file. If you have a TIFF option, it can be useful for preserving image detail.

Step 6: Open the saved file and confirm that it is clear, complete, and correctly oriented.

Do not apply automatic restoration, sharpening, colorization, or filters before sending the image. I need to see the photograph as it currently appears.

OPTION 3: Your Photograph Is Framed or Very Fragile

If your photograph is framed, cracked, brittle, peeling, or stuck to glass, do not force it out of its frame or attempt to repair it yourself.

You can try photographing it through the glass if the image is visible, using indirect lighting and an angle that minimizes reflections. If the photograph is badly damaged or difficult to capture, contact us for guidance before handling it further.

How to Send Your Digital Copy

Once your digital copy is ready:

1. Save the image to your phone or computer.
2. Open your email application.
3. Start a new email and follow the submission instructions provided by ZDesign Us/ZDA
4. Attach the original-quality image file.
5. Include your name, the number of photographs you want restored, and whether you want restoration, colorization, or both.
6. Send the email and retain your original photograph.

If you have several photographs, you can attach multiple files or ask for instructions if the files are too large to email.

Please do not send your only copy of a photograph through a method that may reduce image quality.

Keep your original and a backup of the digital file.

What Happens Next?

After receiving your inquiry and digital photographs, ZDesign Us/ ZDA will assess the images and determine which service is appropriate.

You will receive pricing for the applicable package or a custom quote if the photographs require extensive restoration. Work will proceed according to the approved scope, invoice, and service agreement.

Please remember that severely damaged photographs may have missing details that cannot be recovered perfectly. Restoration and colorization can improve an image, but the final result depends on the quality and condition of the original.

Ready to Preserve Your Memories?

Preserving Memories, One Photograph at a Time.

TRAVEL AGENT, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, PHOTOGRAPHER, ARTIST

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