Guides for restoring your family archive
Practical, opinionated articles from the Photo Repair Lab team — what AI can really do, what it cannot, and how to get the best result from your specific photos.
How to Restore Old Family Photos with AI: A Complete Guide
A practical, no-fluff walkthrough — what AI restoration actually does, how to scan correctly, which mode to pick for which damage type, and how to print or share the result. Written for non-technical readers.
How to Colorize Black-and-White Photos: What AI Gets Right (and Wrong)
Modern AI colourisation is astonishingly good at skin tones and natural light — and surprisingly bad at uniform colours, period-correct dyes and military regalia. Here is when to trust it, when to override it, and how to fact-check the result.
AI Photo Restoration vs Professional Services: Honest Comparison
A retoucher charges $30–$80 per photo. AI charges $1. Both produce good results — for different photos, in different ways. This guide gives you the actual decision framework so you do not overpay or underspend on your family archive.
Preserving Old Photographs: A Complete Guide to Scanning, Storage & Digital Backup
Step-by-step guide for scanning old family photos at the right resolution, storing originals safely, and building a multi-location digital backup that will outlive you. Written for non-technical readers.
A Visual Reference Guide to Photo Damage Types (and How to Fix Each One)
The 12 most common types of photo damage — water stains, tears, fading, foxing, silver mirroring, sticking, mould, creasing — with what causes each, what they look like, and which restoration approach actually works.
How to Print and Frame AI-Restored Photos for Gifts (and Make Them Last 100+ Years)
From file resolution to paper choice, mounting and framing — the complete post-restoration guide. Get gallery-quality prints from your restored family photos that survive longer than the original ever could.
Who Restores Old Photos? Your Options Compared (2026)
Local studios, mail-in labs, freelance retouchers, AI tools — who actually restores old photos, and which is right for you? A clear comparison on cost, speed, quality and privacy.
Where Can I Get Copies of Old Photos Made?
You don’t need the negative. How to copy an old print, where to order reprints, and how to make the copies sharper and cleaner than the worn original with AI.
How to Digitize Old Photos at Home: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Scanner vs phone, the right DPI, the settings to switch off, and how to restore and back up your scans so your family memories actually last.