Best Photo Restoration Services You Need to Know

Printed photos are a treasure trove of many precious memories captured with your camera. Unfortunately, the passage of time can have a devastating effect on your priceless snapshots, leaving them faded, torn, or damaged. This is where photo restoration comes to the rescue, offering the expertise and technology to breathe new life into these cherished images.

Here we’ll share with you the essential things to look for in places to restore old photos. You'll also find out what options are available on the market. And then, we'll dive into the details of the 7 best photo restoration services that excel in this field.

Scratched photo before restoration
Before
Photo restoration in action
After

Give your old photos a new lease of life

What to Look For in Picture Restoration Services

With so many companies available, it's crucial to find one that you can trust with your treasured memories. Here are some key things to keep in mind when choosing old photo restoration services:

  1. Reliability A trustworthy photograph restoration service should consistently deliver high-quality results within the agreed-upon timeframe. They should also prioritize transparent communication, responsive customer support, and a dedication to meeting or exceeding customer expectations.
  2. Cost Transparent pricing and a variety of service packages matter. You should have a clear understanding of what you are paying for and what you are getting for different levels of fixing.
  3. Turnaround time How fast you get your restored photos matters, especially if you need them for a special date or event. Look for a service that can provide a clear timeline for the restoration process and can accommodate urgent restoration needs if required.
  4. Restoration quality The quality of the restoration work is paramount. Look for a service that can effectively repair damage, enhance color, and restore clarity while preserving the original character of the photographs. Past work samples can provide valuable insights into the quality of the service's restoration capabilities.
  5. Feedback Testimonials and reviews are crucial for rating client satisfaction with the restoration and service quality provided. Positive feedback can boost confidence in the service's ability to deliver exceptional results.
  6. Experience The time a service is in business says a lot about its experience, expertise, and reputation. While newer photo repair services can certainly be great, an established presence in the market often signifies a proven track record and a wealth of experience in handling diverse restoration challenges.
AltWord of Advice
Would you like to try restoring your treasured pictures yourself using a special program? Then, follow the link to access a step-by-step tutorial on how to fix old photos without any hassle.

Where to Get Old Pictures Restored - 3 Ways

There are 3 options available for image restoration services. Let's explore them now to choose the most suitable one for repairing your precious memories.

1. Local Businesses

The first option is to rely on local studios that provide photo restoration services. They are usually located in large chain stores like Walgreens or Costco. This type of service is a convenient and accessible way to restore the original paper prints. You can easily visit these stores to ask about and submit your photo restoration needs. However, the quality of service may vary, and customers may have limited options for customization and pricing.

To find the closest location, you can enter a Google query such as “photo restoration services near me”. Alternatively, you can add your city to the search, for example, “photo restoration service Houston”. Whether you are looking for a service from a specific chain, type in something like “Walgreens photo restoration services”.

Visit your nearest Walgreens store
Find a photo restoration company at your local chain store

2. Specialized Online Companies

Another option is to seek digital photo restoration services from specialized online companies. They usually provide a wide range of options and often have professional expertise in the field. Advantages include easy access to portfolios, online interactions, and sometimes competitive pricing. However, you should be careful in picking the right company, as quality and reliability can differ among providers. To make an informed choice, read on for our review of the 7 best online photo restoration services.

3. Unofficial Freelance Services

The third option is to search for a professional on freelance exchanges like Fiverr, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour. These platforms offer various options and pricing, so that you can choose from a pool of talented freelancers. However, the quality and reliability of individual freelancers can be inconsistent, and it may take more effort to find the right match for your specific photo restoration needs.

AltWord of Advice
Don't want your freshly restored pictures to gather dust in the attic? Follow the link to find out what to do with family photos and discover 15 ways to revive your precious keepsakes.

7 Best Photo Restoration Services

Now, let's explore where to get photos restored. There are numerous web platforms and professional online studios that specialize in reviving old and damaged photographs. Each service has its own unique approach and set of strengths, making it essential to carefully evaluate which one aligns with your specific needs and expectations.

1. MemoryCherish

Price: $38-58 per photo

Turnaround time: 2-5 days

MemoryCherish is a photo restoration business that understands the value of preserving and cherishing your memories. Here you can choose an experienced senior artist at an affordable price or a head artist for exceptional restoration results. Either way, the team of skilled experts specializes in restoring old, faded, or damaged photographs. From repairing tears and scratches to enhancing colors and clarity, MemoryCherish brings back the vibrancy and life of your cherished moments.

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Website tutorials simplify the ordering process

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Rich portfolio of restored photographs

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Some customers have experienced delays in returning photos after restoration

Uploading photos to the restoration service's website
Load your images to the website and enjoy new ones in a few days

2. Retouchup

Price: $35 per image

Turnaround time: up to 24 hours

The experienced restoration specialists at Retouchup carefully repair cracks, tears, and faded colors, breathing new life into even the most damaged images. With their meticulous attention to detail, Retouchup ensures exceptional results that will make your memories shine once again. Wondering who can restore old photos using Retouchup? Unfortunately, this is a business-to-business retouching service, so only professional photographers can place orders.

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Provides services the fastest among other companies

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You have to create an account to get started

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Can be used for professional purposes only

3. FixThePhoto

Price: from $30 per photo

Turnaround time: 1-3 days

FixThePhoto is a trusted name in professional picture restoration services with 17 years of experience. Their skilled team of editors and retouchers can bring back to life images that have suffered from dirt, moisture, tears, and scratches. Using advanced techniques and software, they meticulously restore and enhance your photos, bringing out the finest details and colors. FixThePhoto guarantees free revisions to deliver stunning results.

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Offers 3 pricing plans depending on your needs and budget

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Special offers for regular customers and bulk services

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You have to pay an extra $12 for every other person in your photo

AltWord of Advice
Looking for the best ways to store old photos after restoration and their originals? From photo albums to cloud storage, learn how you can preserve images for future generations.

4. WeEdit.Photos

Price: $25-50 per image

Turnaround time: 1-2 days

WeEdit.Photos is a photo restoration service that employs a team of highly skilled editors. The website, with lots of useful information and attractive before & after examples, makes a positive impression. They'll work until you're happy and change an image for free if they've overlooked something in your original annotation. Whether it's repairing physical damage or improving color and sharpness, they understand the sentimental value and strive to deliver exceptional results.

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Easy payment system with discounts

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Friendly customer support

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You have to register before placing an order

5. Damaged Photo Restoration Service

Price: $25-50 per photo

Turnaround time: 2 business days

As the name suggests, Damaged Photo Restoration Service is one of the companies that restore old photos solely. Their experts assess and repair torn, stained, or faded images with precision and care. They are also capable of restoring severely damaged images and reconstructing their parts. Their commitment to quality ensures that your memories are restored to their original condition.

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Handles any type of damage

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Transparent pricing

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A complicated website with lots of small text

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6. ScanCafe

Price: $3-40 per image

Turnaround time: 7 days

ScanCafe is a photo digitizing company providing various services, from scanning negatives and photographs to image restoration. From repairing creases and scratches to enhancing colors and removing dust particles, ScanCafe can bring your memories back to life with precision. Despite the low prices, the quality and turnaround time are quite disappointing.

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Lowest prices compared to other competitors

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The longest turnaround time among other competitors' offerings

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There are only a few examples of restoration work on the website

7. PhotoFixRestore

Price: from $7.50 per photo

Turnaround time: 3-4 days

One more option among the old photo restoration services is PhotoFixRestore. The experienced team at this company carefully restores and enhances damaged or faded images. With attention to detail, they remove scratches, tears, and creases, improving overall clarity and color balance. However, based on sample images and user reviews, the colors and overall image appearance may seem unnatural.

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Offers fairly inexpensive restoration for small-size images

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A cumbersome website that is difficult to use

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Restored photos may look unnatural

Where to Get Old Photos Restored: Wrapping Up

From faded family portraits to torn snapshots, these photo restoration services are here to revive and preserve the timeless beauty of your photographs. To ensure your memories last for generations, you can also turn to local photo restoration companies and freelance professionals for help. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. So now pick one based on your budget, extent of damage, and other factors to breathe new life into your treasured images.


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old photos yourself?
Fix and save them easily with PhotoGlory!
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For Windows 11, 10, 8, 7