The family album is more than just an album full of pictures. It could be filled with written information such as dates and names, along with captions and letters. The digitisation of old family albums makes it possible for people to remember them in a more convenient way.
However, scanning an album requires more care than scanning loose photographs. The album’s condition, the way photographs are attached, and the information surrounding each image should all be considered before digitisation.
Why Digitising an Album Is Different From Scanning Loose Photos
A loose photograph can usually be handled and scanned individually. An album provides additional context.
One page might contain several photographs from the same holiday, a handwritten date or a family member’s caption. Scanning only the individual photographs could preserve the images while losing information about their original relationship.
Before scanning, decide whether you need:
- Complete album-page scans
- Individual photograph scans
- Both page and individual images
- Files for everyday sharing or long-term storage
Page scanning is particularly important when dealing with traditional albums or scrapbooks since it ensures that the original order of pages is maintained. This is particularly useful when the album holds photos together with letters, certificates, or newspaper cuttings, digitising scrapbook pages while retaining their original arrangement. It can be particularly helpful to maintain the link between such items through digitisation of scrapbook pages in their original order.
Should You Remove Photographs Before Scanning?
Not always. Removing photographs from an old album can sometimes cause more damage than leaving them in place.
Self-adhesive and magnetic albums can become difficult to handle as their materials age. Adhesive may bond to photographs, while plastic coverings can stick to image surfaces. Pulling away a resistant photograph can cause creases, tears or surface damage.
Before attempting removal, check for:
- Brittle or cracked pages
- Loose bindings
- Hardened adhesive
- Overlapping photographs
- Plastic film attached to images
- Damp or mould
- Important handwritten information
If a photograph does not lift easily, do not force it. Depending on the album, scanning the complete page and digitally cropping individual photographs may be a safer approach.
What Makes a Good Photo Album Scanning Service?
A professional provider should explain how your particular collection will be handled. Before sending an album, ask:
- Can it be scanned without removing photographs?
- Will the original page order be retained?
- Can handwritten captions be captured?
- Are individual photographs available separately?
- Which file formats will be supplied?
- How will files be named and organised?
- How will the original albums be tracked and returned?
Supaphoto’s current photo album service states that it can scan complete pages or individual photographs and provide the resulting digital files through options such as cloud download, USB, and DVD.
Resolution, JPEG, and TIFF: What Do You Need?
It should be noted that maximum resolution does not always represent the optimal option. The specific format will depend on the initial picture, its dimensions and intended use.
JPEG format is quite convenient to use when pictures have to be viewed on a daily basis because it is rather small and easy to handle. TIFF is somewhat bigger but can also be utilised in case high-quality pictures are needed.
According to the National Archives, one of the things that has to be taken into account while selecting the right format is functional and sustainable needs.
Therefore, file-format choice is an important part of long-term digital preservation. Choose formats according to how the files will be used, stored and preserved.
Keep the Story, Not Just the Pixels
Organisation tends to be an overlooked process during the digitalisation of an album.
Hundreds of files named IMG0001, IMG0002 and IMG0003 will be saved digitally; however, their context will be quickly lost.
Try to establish a basic system, for example:
- Album 01 – Family 1960s
- Album 02 – Family Holidays
- Album 03 – Weddings and Anniversaries
Keep page numbers where possible and record known names, dates, locations and events. This metadata can help future family members understand the photographs.
A handwritten note identifying someone or recording the location of an event may eventually be more valuable than a small improvement in image quality.
How to Prepare Albums for Scanning
You do not need to completely restore or reorganise an album before digitisation. Unnecessary handling can increase the risk of damage.
A simple preparation process is enough:
1. Make an inventory list: Assign a number to each album temporarily and write down what it consists of.
2. Mark out odd elements: Highlight loose photos, damaged pages, significant writing or images.
3. Don’t make your own fixes: Never fix any damaged pages with regular household tape or glue.
4. Retain the existing sequence: It could help you to understand when, who and what is involved.
5. Pack the albums safely: In case they should be moved, pack them in an appropriate box.
In case an album is severely affected by mould, water damage or any other pests, take professional help for storage or transportation of the affected material along with other albums.
DIY Scanning or Professional Scanning?
DIY scanning can work well for a small collection of stable albums. It gives you control over the process and keeps the originals at home.
However, scanning is only part of your job. You may also need to crop the pictures, align them correctly, ensure their quality, name the files, categorise them into folders, and back up the pictures.
A professional service becomes more practical when albums are old, fragile, tightly bound, difficult to handle or numerous. It can also reduce repetitive handling of photographs that may already be vulnerable.
What Should Happen to the Originals?
Digitisation should not be treated as a replacement for physical photographs.
The Canadian Conservation Institute provides guidance on protecting photographic materials and recommends careful handling and suitable environmental conditions.
After scanning, keep albums in a cool, dry and relatively stable environment. Avoid direct sunlight and areas exposed to excessive heat or moisture.
For additional practical advice, protecting ageing photographs after they have been digitised can help with the physical preservation side of the process.
The Guidance on basic care of photographic materials also covers appropriate handling and storage considerations. For broader preservation information, this conservation guidance for photographic collections provides further information about environmental risks and photographic materials.
Create Multiple Digital Backups
A single USB drive shouldn’t be the sole repository for any crucial family archive.
The primary archive must be kept on a computer or an external hard drive, and another copy can be made in different storage and even in an off-site place.
Make sure to check the archives regularly whether they’re working fine or not and transfer them to new storage devices as and when required.
Digital preservation continues after scanning. Digital preservation as an ongoing process means maintaining access to digital information rather than simply creating files once. The National Archives similarly treats long-term preservation as an ongoing responsibility.
Preserve the Photographs and Their Story
A successful album-scanning project does more than create digital images. It helps keep safe all pictures, their order, descriptions, handwriting, and the overall setting in which memories that matter have taken place.
First, one should assess the state of the photo album and determine which pages should be scanned and in which format. Organise the documents well and create duplicates.
When dealing with big, rare, or difficult albums, professional scanning may decrease the risk of extra manipulation and make family photos easier to store and view.
Most importantly, do not forget about the original photo album. This collection keeps all tangible history, while the digital copy makes it more accessible.
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