Old family photos deserve to be printed and displayed — but a faded, damaged, low-resolution scan prints blurry and dull. AI enhancement can restore the photo and upscale it to print size, so the print looks sharp and the colors come back.
Here's the complete workflow for turning an old scan into a beautiful print.
Step 1: Scan at the Highest Quality
Scan the photo at 600 DPI as TIFF or PNG. If you have the negative, scan that instead — it holds far more detail. A good scan is the foundation of a good print.
Step 2: Restore Damage and Fading
Use AI restoration software such as ImageEnhance AI to repair scratches, dust and tears, and bring back faded colors. See how to restore old photos and restore faded photographs.
Step 3: Work Out the Print Size You Need
For a sharp print, aim for 300 DPI. The math: 3000 pixels → a 10-inch print; 6000 pixels → a 20-inch print. If your scan doesn't have enough pixels, that's what the upscale step is for.
Step 4: Upscale to Print Size
Upscale the restored photo with AI to reach the pixel size your print needs. AI upscaling adds real detail, so an old 6×4 scan can become a crisp 12×18 or larger print. See how to upscale photos for large printing.
Step 5: Sharpen and Export for the Printer
Sharpen lightly (printing softens images slightly), then export as a high-quality TIFF or PNG at the target DPI. Follow your print shop's preferred format.
Prepare Your Old Photos for Printing with ImageEnhance AI
Restore, upscale and sharpen old scans for print — free trial for Windows and Mac.
Download Free TrialFrequently Asked Questions
Can an old small photo be printed large?
Yes — with AI upscaling, an old small scan can be enlarged for larger prints while keeping it sharp. Quality depends on the original, but the improvement is dramatic.
What DPI should I print old photos at?
300 DPI for sharp close-up prints; 150 DPI is fine for larger prints viewed from a distance. Check with your print shop.
Should I restore before or after upscaling?
Restore first (fix damage and color), then upscale. Cleaning up the image first gives the upscaler cleaner detail to work with.