Guide

How to restore an old damaged photo, step by step

You do not need Photoshop to rescue a faded or scratched family photo. A good scan and a clear description of the damage do most of the work; AI handles the repair.

This guide walks through the whole process, from digitizing the print to saving a restored copy you can share or print.

Restore a photo now

Step by step

  1. Digitize the original. Scan the print at 600 dpi or higher. No scanner? Lay it flat in soft daylight and photograph it straight on with your phone, with no flash and no glare.
  2. Keep the original safe. Store the physical print in an acid-free sleeve and keep an untouched copy of the scan. Always edit a copy.
  3. Upload it to an AI restorer. In Artimind, start a chat and attach the scan.
  4. Describe the damage. Name what you see: scratches, dust spots, a crease, a torn corner, fading, blur. Specific requests give better results.
  5. Protect the faces. Ask the AI to keep faces natural and unchanged, then compare the result with the original side by side.
  6. Refine, then colorize if you like. Reply with corrections until it looks right. If the photo is black and white, you can ask for natural color as a final step.
  7. Save and share. Download the version you like, keep it next to the original scan, and share or print it.

Requests that work well

  • Remove the scratches and dust spots but keep the faces unchanged
  • Fix the fading and the yellow tint
  • Repair the crease across the middle
  • Sharpen the faces slightly without smoothing the skin

Tips for the best result

  • Higher-resolution scans give the AI more detail to work with.
  • Fix one problem at a time if a photo is badly damaged.
  • Avoid over-smoothing: real skin has texture.
  • Keep notes of names, places and dates with the restored file.

Frequently asked questions

What resolution should I scan old photos at?

600 dpi is a good default for prints; use 1200 dpi for small or very detailed photos.

Can a badly torn photo be restored?

Often, yes. AI can rebuild missing areas such as a torn corner, but large missing parts of a face may not come back exactly as they were.

Should I colorize before or after restoring?

Restore first, then colorize. Colorizing a clean image gives more natural results.

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