Expert Slide and Photo Scanning Since 2002
4000 ppi High Resolution Slide Scanning.
PREMIUM SERVICE at Affordable Prices.
Digital Imaging & 35mm Slide Scanning FAQ
Answers to common questions about resolution, color, prints, TVs, organization, pricing, media, and more. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to email us.
Display & Output
Q: I have an HD/4K TV. How will your scans display?
A: Our standard 35mm slide scans are ~5256 × 3544 pixels (from 4000 ppi). 4K UHD TVs are typically 3840 × 2160. Quality ultimately depends on the original slide (focus, exposure, condition) and how your TV/player scales images. If a slide is blurry, the resulting file will reflect that.
Q: What print sizes are realistic?
A: From a typical 35mm slide at 4000 ppi, 4×6", 5×7", and 8×10" look great. Larger prints (e.g., 10×15") can still be very pleasing depending on the slide. Note different print aspect ratios can require cropping. See prints from slides for examples.
Q: Some images look less colorful than I remember.
A: Transferring from slide (transmitted light) to digital (emissive display) changes how shadows and color behave. Opening shadow detail can reduce perceived contrast/saturation. We aim for pleasing, natural color and detail balance.
Quality & Color
Q: Do you run automated filters on everything?
A: We have those tools, but every image is reviewed by a Photoshop® expert who adjusts as needed. Automated filters can help sometimes, but on other images they can overdo it. The human eye is better at nuanced decisions.
Q: I need exact color matching.
A: We provide expert edits aimed at pleasing color at an accessible price. Exact color-matched, proofing-grade scanning is a different, much costlier workflow. You can try our free 10-image demo scans first.
Q: Will you scan at even higher resolutions?
A: Our 35mm workflow is optimized at 4000 ppi. If you require specialized, drum-scan-level output, that’s a different service we don’t offer.
Resolution & File Specs
Q: What resolution do you use for 35mm slides?
A: Standard 35mm slides are scanned at 4000 ppi, producing files about 5256 × 3544 pixels. It’s a high-quality scan suitable for most uses short of extremely large prints.
Q: What size do you save paper photos?
A: We scan paper photos at their original dimensions and 600 ppi.
Q: How many scans fit on a disc?
- CD: ~310 35mm slide scans at high JPEG quality (~10)
- DVD: ~450 35mm slide scans at high JPEG quality (~10)
Workflow, Organization & Media
Q: I numbered my items—will file names match handwritten numbers?
A: We keep your groups in order, but one-to-one number matching isn’t guaranteed because semi-automated scanning can skip a bent/defective slide—which shifts automated renaming. Use numbering to keep order, not as IDs. See our prep tips.
Q: Can you divide scans into folders?
A: Yes. Separate stacks/envelopes/bags and label them (e.g., “#1”, “#2”). See Slide Preparation.
Q: Can you scan pictures still in albums?
A: We no longer offer that service. Scans are much better when they lay flat on the glass scanner bed. Details: photo album scanning.
Q: Do you convert digital images back to slides?
A: No, we don’t provide that service.
Q: Do you archive my images?
A: We attempt to store projects as good housekeeping, but it’s not a guarantee—any drive can fail. Please make multiple backups and share copies with family for safekeeping.
Q: I’m in Canada—safe to ship?
A: Because of Import/Export regulations and Bank fees on International payments, we no longer accepot other than USA and Territories orders. If you have a friend in the USA, you can send to them and have them deal with us.
Q: Can you clean slides?
A: We offer cleaning on our slides to prints order form. If you have mold or mildew on your slide films, nothing will clean that. See slide cleaning info.
Pricing & Payment
Q: Your slide price is $0.49 each regardless of quantity—is that right?
A: Yes, that’s our standard pricing. Choose any service you trust if you are just shopping; we focus on quality and sustainability over undercutting at a loss.
Q: Any bulk discounts for 5,000–10,000 slides?
A: Our listed prices are already as low as we can reasonably go.
Q: Do you accept credit cards?
A: We accept personal checks (deposit and final). We don’t accept credit cards in order to keep pricing low. You do realize that Credit Card companies charge 3-4% to businesses that accept credit cards, right?
Q: Do you accept personal checks?
A: Yes.
Q: Can you expedite my order for an event?
A: Expedited work is possible with overtime charges. Regular customers keep their target dates; expedited work is an option on the order forms.
Formats, Gear & Tech
Q: Different film frames in 2×2" mounts—do I need to sort?
A: No, if mounts are the same (except 127 slides, which are an exception).
Q: How many slides fit on a 4.7GB DVD again?
A: Roughly 450 at high JPEG quality (about “12”).
Q: Will your discs work on a Mac?
A: Yes. We don’t offer Mac coaching, but the hardest part—digitizing well—is on us.
Q: Do you scan copyright-protected photos?
A: No. If something slips through due to volume, by signing the order form you acknowledge responsibility for any copyrighted material you submit.
Q: I’m an artist and need the highest quality possible.
A: For exacting, proof-grade capture of artwork, consider specialized services (e.g., drum scans / copy-stand workflows). Our service aims for beautiful, pleasing results at a practical price point.
Counts & Estimating
Q: Do I need to count my slides before sending?
A: Not necessary. We count the resulting files after scanning.
General
Q: Are my originals returned?
A: Yes—everything you want returned is shipped back after the project. Some customers choose to have us dispose of originals after digitizing; most prefer them returned.
Q: Why are your prices sometimes higher than competitors?
A: We’ve refined our process since 2002 to deliver strong value and consistent results without cutting corners. We don’t race to the bottom; we focus on quality, reliability, and staying power.