Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I prepare my photos for scanning?
Prepare your photos in whatever form you feel comfortable with. We will return your photos the same way. Place them in a box, bag or if you are in the Central Mississippi area, we will come to you and pick them up.
Q: Can you scan slides or negatives?
Yes, we can! We LOVE slides and negatives. Each is cleaned and then put through our slide scanner at anywhere from 1200 resolution to 4800 resolution in most cases.
Q: I have documents I want scanned. Can you do that?
Documents are welcomed here! We can scan single- and double-sided documents through our high-speed scanners and file them however you want us to do that. Call us at 601-238-3322 to talk about what you have and when you need it done.
Q: Can you scan my photos at a higher resolution?
Yes. Normally, we scan photos at 400 but depending on how you want to view them (very large on a big screen tv or perhaps you want to reprint some at a larger size, we will scan them at 1200+ resolution. It is helpful if you tell us what you want to do with the photos before we start. Of course, our consultants will ask you this question as well.
Q: Can I see sample scans?
Absolutely! There are before and after examples on our website under PORTFOLIO, and we can select specific types of scans as per your request and send them to you via email, so you can see for yourself.
Q: Are my bundled photos returned to me in the same bundles?
Yes.
Q: How long will it take to complete my scanning order?
Depending on the number of photos, the condition of the photos and the resolution you want, it can take from 1 week to several weeks. We have a small shop and don’t take on projects we can’t complete in your timeline.
Q: Where are my photos scanned?
All media is converted to digital in Jackson, Mississippi. We do not send them away overseas as some scanning companies do. We are totally local and totally accessible.
Q: Can you custom-name my files or put my images into separate folders on the DVD?
Yes. We just need you to tell us how you would like them categorized and what folders you want them put in.
Q: How much compression do you use when saving the pictures in JPEG format?
Due to the high number of photos that are scanned in an average order, we use what would be considered a 10 or 11 on the 1-12 Photoshop compression scale (12 being the least amount of compression, 1 being the most).
Q: Will the order of the scanning be the same as the photos in the box?
Probably not. We can do that, but that would entail a higher charge since we would have to spend a good deal more time putting them in the exact order. We like to scan (when client instructions aren’t exact) by size and format. This makes photos going through our high-speed scanner better and when photos can’t go through the high-speed scan process, we flat scan them. The photos will be returned in the same box or bag they were delivered to us, but unless you require them in order, they might be somewhat out of order in the final delivery back to you.
Q: Can you do large orders? And by large orders, I mean, I have thousands and thousands of pictures!!
Absolutely! We keep all our clients’ boxes separately in their own spaces and we are delighted to take very large orders that require many boxes. We want to make your life simpler by allowing you to downsize your media into a manageable size through digitizing.
Q: I have very old photo albums of B&W photos that are glued on the pages. Can they be scanned and if so, what would be the charge?
We can do this a number of ways. You can remove the photos from the albums and send to us. We can remove the photos from the album and there will be a small charge for this service, or we can scan the whole page and separate the photos in the photoshopping process.
Q: What is your policy on scanning professional copyrighted materials that I do not own the rights to?
Due to copyright laws, we are unable to scan any professionally taken image that is copyrighted.
Q: Are these scans designed for personal archiving and sharing or can I also make giant museum-quality poster enlargements from the files?
These high-speed photo scans are designed to digitally preserve your regular photos. This is not designed to archive professional images with museum-quality clarity. However, if you intend to enlarge your photos, it is important to tell us that in the beginning so we can accurately scan your photos with that goal in mind.
Q: Can you scan tiny pictures, too?
Yes. We have scanned photos that were literally the size of your fingernail. We flat scan them. There is an additional small charge for this.
Q: Can you scan cropped and cutout photos?
Yes. These will most likely go on our flat scanner.
Q: What happens if my pictures are curled or bent?
We have dealt with this problem before. We can uncurl them or bend them back. It takes a certain amount of time depending on the condition. We have also separated photos that were stuck together. Again, this takes a certain amount of time and have to be printed on a certain type of paper in order for us to do this. We do not guarantee we can correct all problems with photos, but if you have a question about anything, please just ask. We will work hard for you to be able to see those pictures again.
Q: Why do you only feature flat-rate bulk scanning of photos? Why not offer it for 35mm, APS or slide film?
Bulk photo scanning is cost effective and the equipment to do this is available. The scanning of 35mm, APS or slide film must be done one at a time and takes more time. Actually, we scan slides 12 at a time, but there is the time it takes to load the template, clean each slide, scan, remove the slides from the template, and photoshop each slide. 35 mm and APS film has to be done one at a time. We LOVE to do it, though!!
Q: I have a bunch of old VHS and 8mm movies, can you transfer those to DVD?
A: We can transfer standard VHS, VHS-C, Hi8 and 8mm tapes/reels. We also convert 8mm home movies in both 8mm and Super 8mm. We can absolutely transfer them to DVD, but DVD is a medium that is quickly going the way of the VHS. We always suggest that your movies/videos be loaded onto flash drives/thumb drives for longer-lasting media. They easily attach to computers, TV monitors, electronic photo frames, etc. Talk to us if you have any questions. We will even come to your home to help you set everything up to view on your technology, if possible.
Q: What are your limits of liability?
Before ordering any of our products or services, you must first agree to read and agree to our terms, including the limit of liability and copyright agreement. Please click here to read our limits of liability and copyright agreement.
Q: My question is not answered here. Where can I obtain more information?
You may call us. Our number is 601-238-3322. You can email us at laurie@scansouth.net or you can come to our offices at 3815 Rebecca Court in Jackson. We are located in the Fondren district.
Prepare your photos in whatever form you feel comfortable with. We will return your photos the same way. Place them in a box, bag or if you are in the Central Mississippi area, we will come to you and pick them up.
Q: Can you scan slides or negatives?
Yes, we can! We LOVE slides and negatives. Each is cleaned and then put through our slide scanner at anywhere from 1200 resolution to 4800 resolution in most cases.
Q: I have documents I want scanned. Can you do that?
Documents are welcomed here! We can scan single- and double-sided documents through our high-speed scanners and file them however you want us to do that. Call us at 601-238-3322 to talk about what you have and when you need it done.
Q: Can you scan my photos at a higher resolution?
Yes. Normally, we scan photos at 400 but depending on how you want to view them (very large on a big screen tv or perhaps you want to reprint some at a larger size, we will scan them at 1200+ resolution. It is helpful if you tell us what you want to do with the photos before we start. Of course, our consultants will ask you this question as well.
Q: Can I see sample scans?
Absolutely! There are before and after examples on our website under PORTFOLIO, and we can select specific types of scans as per your request and send them to you via email, so you can see for yourself.
Q: Are my bundled photos returned to me in the same bundles?
Yes.
Q: How long will it take to complete my scanning order?
Depending on the number of photos, the condition of the photos and the resolution you want, it can take from 1 week to several weeks. We have a small shop and don’t take on projects we can’t complete in your timeline.
Q: Where are my photos scanned?
All media is converted to digital in Jackson, Mississippi. We do not send them away overseas as some scanning companies do. We are totally local and totally accessible.
Q: Can you custom-name my files or put my images into separate folders on the DVD?
Yes. We just need you to tell us how you would like them categorized and what folders you want them put in.
Q: How much compression do you use when saving the pictures in JPEG format?
Due to the high number of photos that are scanned in an average order, we use what would be considered a 10 or 11 on the 1-12 Photoshop compression scale (12 being the least amount of compression, 1 being the most).
Q: Will the order of the scanning be the same as the photos in the box?
Probably not. We can do that, but that would entail a higher charge since we would have to spend a good deal more time putting them in the exact order. We like to scan (when client instructions aren’t exact) by size and format. This makes photos going through our high-speed scanner better and when photos can’t go through the high-speed scan process, we flat scan them. The photos will be returned in the same box or bag they were delivered to us, but unless you require them in order, they might be somewhat out of order in the final delivery back to you.
Q: Can you do large orders? And by large orders, I mean, I have thousands and thousands of pictures!!
Absolutely! We keep all our clients’ boxes separately in their own spaces and we are delighted to take very large orders that require many boxes. We want to make your life simpler by allowing you to downsize your media into a manageable size through digitizing.
Q: I have very old photo albums of B&W photos that are glued on the pages. Can they be scanned and if so, what would be the charge?
We can do this a number of ways. You can remove the photos from the albums and send to us. We can remove the photos from the album and there will be a small charge for this service, or we can scan the whole page and separate the photos in the photoshopping process.
Q: What is your policy on scanning professional copyrighted materials that I do not own the rights to?
Due to copyright laws, we are unable to scan any professionally taken image that is copyrighted.
Q: Are these scans designed for personal archiving and sharing or can I also make giant museum-quality poster enlargements from the files?
These high-speed photo scans are designed to digitally preserve your regular photos. This is not designed to archive professional images with museum-quality clarity. However, if you intend to enlarge your photos, it is important to tell us that in the beginning so we can accurately scan your photos with that goal in mind.
Q: Can you scan tiny pictures, too?
Yes. We have scanned photos that were literally the size of your fingernail. We flat scan them. There is an additional small charge for this.
Q: Can you scan cropped and cutout photos?
Yes. These will most likely go on our flat scanner.
Q: What happens if my pictures are curled or bent?
We have dealt with this problem before. We can uncurl them or bend them back. It takes a certain amount of time depending on the condition. We have also separated photos that were stuck together. Again, this takes a certain amount of time and have to be printed on a certain type of paper in order for us to do this. We do not guarantee we can correct all problems with photos, but if you have a question about anything, please just ask. We will work hard for you to be able to see those pictures again.
Q: Why do you only feature flat-rate bulk scanning of photos? Why not offer it for 35mm, APS or slide film?
Bulk photo scanning is cost effective and the equipment to do this is available. The scanning of 35mm, APS or slide film must be done one at a time and takes more time. Actually, we scan slides 12 at a time, but there is the time it takes to load the template, clean each slide, scan, remove the slides from the template, and photoshop each slide. 35 mm and APS film has to be done one at a time. We LOVE to do it, though!!
Q: I have a bunch of old VHS and 8mm movies, can you transfer those to DVD?
A: We can transfer standard VHS, VHS-C, Hi8 and 8mm tapes/reels. We also convert 8mm home movies in both 8mm and Super 8mm. We can absolutely transfer them to DVD, but DVD is a medium that is quickly going the way of the VHS. We always suggest that your movies/videos be loaded onto flash drives/thumb drives for longer-lasting media. They easily attach to computers, TV monitors, electronic photo frames, etc. Talk to us if you have any questions. We will even come to your home to help you set everything up to view on your technology, if possible.
Q: What are your limits of liability?
Before ordering any of our products or services, you must first agree to read and agree to our terms, including the limit of liability and copyright agreement. Please click here to read our limits of liability and copyright agreement.
Q: My question is not answered here. Where can I obtain more information?
You may call us. Our number is 601-238-3322. You can email us at laurie@scansouth.net or you can come to our offices at 3815 Rebecca Court in Jackson. We are located in the Fondren district.
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