Scanning Service: Order Planning Guide

Welcome to the scanning service order planning guide. Here you'll find answers to common questions and links to helpful content. As always, feel free to contact us or call 1-800-383-2903 if you wish to discuss things. You might also wish to bookmark this page for future reference.

Ordering is simple. The first step to placing an order is to complete the online questionnaire. After completing the questionnaire you'll need to print an order form to send with your prints, slides, negatives, and or film. Your order form will contain instructions on packaging and shipping to us. We'll take it from there. You'll receive an e-mail notification when your order is received, and a second when we ship back to you. You can always call or e-mail to check the status of your order. Click the button below to get started now.

Our scanning service is about choices. We understand that different people have different needs and wants. We offer four processing options with our film scanning service; Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Pro. Our print scanning service comes in two flavors; Silver, and Gold. Please visit one of the links below to learn about our processing options.

We offer you your choice of resolution. The links below explain resolution, megapixels, and will help you assess your resolution needs. Film scans are offered at 2,000, 3,000, or 4,000 dots per inch. Print scanning is done at 600dpi. Please click the links below to learn more about resolution.

Article 1: Digital Imaging in a Nutshell
a. What is resolution? and how do scanners work?
b. What does Megapixels mean?
c. Is higher resolution always better?

Article 2: How to decide which resolution is right for you.
a. Which resolution is right for me?
b. Scanning for computer and video related use.
c. Creating prints from your scans: Scanning Resolution and re-prints.
d. Archiving and resolution.

Article 3: Print Scans vs. Film Scans, a Comparison
a. Should I digitize my prints or my negatives?
b. Print scan limitations.
c. Comparing re-prints from print scans and film scans.

Your scans can be saved to one of two formats: JPEG or TIFF file format. To learn more abut these formats please visit the link below.

Article 1: Digital Photo File Formats.
a. JPEG and TIFF in a nutshell
b. Comparison chart outlining the pro's and con's of JPEGs and TIFFs.
c. How big will my files be? JPEG and TIFF file sizes.

After scanning your new digital images need to be saved to a storage medium. We can save your scans to CD-Rom or Data DVD. We'll also be happy to upload your new digital images to one of the web's premiere online backup services making it easy to view your pictures over the Internet, share with family and friends, and more. Please visit the links below to learn about storage media options and online sharing.

Article 1: Storage Media Options, Archival Quality CDs or Data DVDs
a. CDs vs. Data DVDs - A Comparison.
b. What is a Data DVD?
c. How many files fit on one disk? and how many disks will my order require?

Article 2: How will my new digital images be organized when on disk?
a. Disk Organization: How our disks are organized.
b. How to customize your disks: Grouping and organizing photos for processing.

Article 3: Online backup and cloud storage from our partner MiMedia.
a. What is cloud storage and online backup?
b. What sharing and access features does my account have?
c. Are my photos uploaded to my account for me?

We offer many options and extras with our scanning service. Visit the links below to learn about optional add on's.

Options & Extras Home Page
a. DVD Videos from your photos: DVD Slide Shows
b. Contact Sheets
c. Cloud Storage / Online Backup / & Photo Sharing