How faded old photos are brought back

Why photos fade

• Color prints from the 1960s–1990s were made with dyes that fade at different speeds. Blue and green go first, so the picture shifts to red, orange or magenta.
• Black-and-white prints slowly lose contrast and can turn yellow or brown, especially if they were stored in light, heat or in old “magnetic” albums.
• Instant photos are especially sensitive and often lose their shadows.

What restoration brings back

• True colors: we rebalance each color channel so skin looks like skin again and the sky is blue, not violet.
• Contrast and depth: deep shadows and clean highlights, without making it look like a new digital photo.
• Detail: fine texture in hair, fabric and faces that faded out.
• Clean surface: dust, specks and small scratches removed at the same time.

Black and white, or color?

A faded black-and-white photo is usually restored in black and white. If you would like it in color, add Colorization — we choose natural, era-true colors and you can tell us details (eye color, the color of a dress) in the order notes.

Keep it from fading again

Store prints in acid-free sleeves or boxes, away from light, heat and damp basements. And keep a digital copy — the restored file will not fade.