Slide Scanning Questions
1.What happens to the originals I send to you?
As soon as your collection has been converted to digital images we will return your original materials along with the digitized copies of your pictures.
2.Can I arrange the order of my photos and slides?
You can arrange and number your collection and we will scan them in order. If you have other special requirements please make a note of it on the online order form.
3.What if I need extra copies of the DVD or CD media?
If your computer has a CD or DVD burner, you can make as many copies as you want. Some drugstores and office supply stores like FedEx and The UPS Store can make copies for you for a fee. In addition, you can order additional copies directly from us within 30 days of your order. We charge $6.00 for each additional copy.
4.How is PhotoScanMan different from other photoscanning companies?
Skilled imaging specialists and advanced imaging technology ensure your photo scans will have the right colors, lighting and exposure. We produce error-free scans that do not leave dust particles or stray marks on your images. All of the work is done in the USA so you never have to worry about shipping your treasured memories to an overseas facility. We are a non-profit institution so we care about quality, not profit. We keep you informed of the progress of your order every step of the way and you can access your online digital photos directly from our secured website. There are no hidden fees.
5.Will PhotoScanMan remove slides from my carousaels?
You've spent a lot of time storing your slides in carousels. Instead of going through the trouble of removing them, let us do it for you for just $5 per carousel. Ship us your photo album and we will do the rest. See our Online Order Form for more details.
6.What does it cost to have you scan my photos, slides and tapes?
PhotoScanMan charges one set fee for each of its services. No Gimmicks. No hidden charges. Photo Scanning at 300 DPI (Family Package) costs 35cents per photo. Photo Scanning at 600 DPI (High Resolution Package) costs 35cents per photo. Converting slides to digital images at 2000 DPI (Family Package) costs slides 35 cents per slide. Converting slides to digital images at 4000 DPI (High ResolutionPackage) costs slides 35 cents per slide. Transferring tapes to DVD costs slides 35 cents. The order form shown below makes it easy for you to figure out the cost of our photo scanning services. Our pricing includes professional scanning, correcting the color, optimizing the contrast levels of each image and converting it to an industry standard JPEG format . We guarantee that you will receive a true image with every scan. Our low cost per image pricing model makes it easy for you determine the final cost of your order. Click here to view our order form and calculate your price
7.Which slide scanning service package is right for me?
As with our photo scanning service, we offer two scanning packages; The Family Package and The High Resolution Package. With our Family Package scanning service we will scan your 35mm slides at 2000dpi resolution. This is a good choice for most family photos and for small business, printing and desktop publishing purposes. With our High Resolution Package slide scanning service your 35mm slides will be scanned at 4000dpi. This higher resolution will allow you to enlarge your photo up to three times its original size while still preserving the quality of the original image and it will also use up more memory on your CD, digital picture frame or computer. In summary, if you plan on enlarging your scanned images than order the 4000 DPI High Resolution Package. Otherwise, the Family Package which scans at 2000DPI is the industry standard as it produces a nice balance of a well preserved image without using up too much memory on your CD, digital picture frame or computer.
8.Why should I use PhotoScanMan?
PhotoScanMan is a non profit institution of highly trained computer and photography experts. We focus on quality – not profit – to provide a safe, inexpensive, hassle-free photo scanning service. Our all inclusive pricing means there are no hidden charges and no gimmicks. We digitalize photos and slides and transfer tapes to DVD at our New Jersey facility. We never outsource your photos. Our equipment is state of the art using Kodak, Nikon and Sony scanning and visual enhancing technology which will save and enhance your pictures for professional level results. Our Online Order Status System allows you to know the exact status of your order from the time your photos leaves your home until the time your order arrives safely back in your home.
9.How does PhotoScanMan protect my photos?
PhotoScanMan allows you to choose the shipping method that best suits your needs. You can choose from FedEx, UPS or US Postal Service shipping. We will even supply you with specialized shipping boxes as well as FedEx or UPS forms. Your package is tracked during transit. Upon arrival at our New Jersey facility the contents of your package are photographed, logged into our computer tracking system and placed within their own waterproof container. PhotoScanMan will send you an email the day your package arrives in our New Jersey facility, and another email when the scanning of your pictures is complete. A final email containing the information needed to track your package will be sent to you the day that your original photos and new digital images are shipped back to you. A digital backup of your photos is placed in our backup storage computers until we receive confirmation that your package has arrived to your home.
10.What type of photos and slides can I get scanned? Are there sizes and shape limitations?
PhotoScanMan can scan practicality any type of photo including Polaroids. Almost any type of slide is acceptable for our laboratory to convert 35mm slides to digital images. Round photos, odd shaped photos and cut-out photos are not a problem. We can accommodate your original prints that are printed on photographic paper without any backing or mounts. Our minimum size is 2" x 2-1/2" and our maximum size is 8-1/2" x 12".
11.What kind of scanners do you use to convert photos to digital formats?
We have invested in state-of-the-art professional image scanners using a combination of industry-standard hardware and advanced imaging software technology from Nikon, Kodak and Sony. Our Nikon Super Cool Scan 9000 with Digital Pro technology is one of the most advanced pieces of scanning equipment in the world.This gives us the capability of capturing a true image of your original photograph without any loss of detail. We have often been told that the scanned image looks better than the original. This is achieved by processing each photo individually to bring out the natural colors of each image. If you're shot is slightly underexposed or overexposed, our software will make the corrections to give you a perfect picture. Sometimes professional photographers do not want to have their images corrected and we can accommodate those special requests as well.
12.How do you handle color corrections?
Our Nikon and Kodak image correction software technology is an advanced solution that looks at the original image and based on the patterns in the image it automatically corrects the colors, lighting, hues and contrast. The end result is a beautiful image that really pops. In addition, we visually inspect each image to ensure optimum accuracy and make any further adjustments if necessary. We can assure that you will receive a true image with every scan.
13.Will you be scanning my slides and/or photos to a CD or Flash drive?
You can choose either a CD or Flash drive. Our pricing includes a free CD of your digitized images. If you also want a Flash drive, either send your own Flash drive or we will supply a 4GB Flash drive for $7. You will receive the CD and/or Flash drive along with your return photos. You may receive multiple CD depending upon the number of scanned images. Each CD will normally hold approximately 400 scanned 4" x 6" images at 300dpi. A 4GB Flash drive will hold about 2,000-4,000 photos. For both a CD and a Flash drive, all the images will be in an industry standard JPEG format and will be viewable on any device that is compatible with this format including computers, digital picture frames, TV, emails and websites.
14.Do you use industry standard file formats?
When we convert your slides and photos to digital formats we use the industry-standard JPEG image format. The JPEG format was developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group specifically for digital photography. The purpose of this format is to maintain a high quality image while compressing the size of the file. This format has made it easy for professionals and novices alike to post on the web, display in Digital Picture frames, display on their computers and TV, transfer by email, and even to make prints from. Today, the majority of print shops use JPEG images rather than the old way of screening photos.
15.What is the best way to pack and ship my photos and/or slides for scanning?
Photo prints: We recommend that you sort your photographs into groups of similar size prints. To protect your photos during shipping you can seal them in plastic bags. To prevent scratching or damaging of your photographs during transit, we do not recommend wrapping them in rubber bands or using clips. Insert your bags of photos in a sturdy envelope or box. Most shipping services like FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service have envelopes and shipping supplies to make packing your photos very easy. Tip: Shoe boxes make great photo shipping containers. Just place your bags of photos in the shoe box along with your order form and seal with tape. 35mm slides: We recommend removing your 35mm slides from the slide pages and slipping them into plastic bags. Insert your plastic bags of slides into a sturdy envelope or shipping box. Most shipping services like FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service have envelopes and shipping supplies to make packing your photos very easy. Tip: Shoe boxes make great slide shipping containers. Just place your bags of photos in the shoe box along with your order form and seal with tape. 35mm slide carousels: Optionally, you can pack and ship the entire carousel without removing your 35mm slides. We will remove each slide individually from the carousel for scanning. Please be aware that your slides and carousels will be returned to you separately. Please check the appropriate box on the order form to choose this service. *When shipping with the United States Postal Service request Delivery Confirmation. This will enable you to track your shipment to us while it is in the mail system. Your photo package should be sent to: PhotoScanMan Street address City, State ZIP Please print and include your ORDER CONFIRMATION with your shipment to us.
16.What do I get from PhotoScanMan's Photo, Slide and Tape Scanning Services?
1. All-inclusive pricing – no hidden fees! 2. Skilled technicians process your photo scans. 3. We make any necessary color corrections and exposure adjustments. 4. We reduce and/or eliminate noise such as dust and scratches from your original photos. 5. We make sure your images are facing the proper direction. 6. You get instant access to your online digital photos. 7. We carefully pack and ship your original photographs back to you. 8. We provide you with a CD, or FlashDrive or DVD of your digitized photos. 9. We ship back your original pictures. 10. We keep a backup of your photos for 30 days. 11. You enjoy your treasured memories that will be preserved for a lifetime.
