The Two Types of Photo Albums: How to Digitize Your Pictures Safely

Photo albums are treasured time capsules, holding snapshots of the past in a way that digital images never fully replicate. But like all physical media, they degrade over time. The best way to preserve your cherished photos is by digitizing them at 600 DPI in a high-quality JPG format—but how you do this depends on the type of album you have.

The Two Types of Photo Albums

1. Sticky Page (Magnetic) Albums

These albums, popular from the 1960s through the 1990s, use a cardboard page with adhesive covered by a clear plastic sheet to hold photos in place. Despite being called "magnetic," these pages don’t use actual magnets; instead, they rely on glue to grip photos. Over time, this adhesive yellows, hardens, and can even fuse with the photos, making removal risky.

2. Sleeved Page Albums

These albums have plastic pockets that securely hold photos without adhesives. They come in various designs, from standard 4x6 pockets to multi-size layouts for larger pictures. Unlike sticky albums, sleeved pages allow photos to be removed without damage, making them much easier to scan.

How to Digitize Photos from Albums

Sticky Page Albums: Scan the Whole Page, Then Crop

Many people assume they should remove photos from sticky albums before scanning, but this can cause irreparable damage. Here’s why you shouldn’t remove them:

• Risk of tearing: The glue weakens over time but still grips the back of the photos, causing potential rips when peeled away.
• Adhesive residue: Even if you safely remove a photo, glue often remains on the back, which can foul scanners by transferring sticky residue onto the glass.

Instead, follow this best practice:

✅ Remove only the clear plastic sheet. This reduces glare and improves scan quality.
✅ Place the entire album page on a flatbed scanner. Scan it at 600 DPI to capture the best detail.
✅ Crop individual photos digitally. After scanning, use photo editing software to separate and enhance each picture.

This method is time-consuming but the safest way to preserve your photos without damage.

Sleeved Page Albums: Remove & Scan Individually

Since sleeved albums don’t use adhesive, it’s safe to remove the photos for individual scanning. This method ensures:

• No risk of damage from glue or brittle album pages.
• Better scan quality since each photo is flat against the scanner glass.
• Faster processing since there's no need to crop images later.

For the best results:

✅ Handle photos carefully by the edges to avoid fingerprints.
✅ Place them directly on a flatbed scanner and scan at 600 DPI in JPG format for archival quality.
✅ Store the originals properly after scanning to prevent curling or fading.

Preserving Your Memories for the Future

No matter which type of album you have, digitizing at 600 DPI ensures sharp, detailed images that will last for generations. While scanning sticky page albums takes more effort, it’s the safest way to preserve fragile photos without risking damage.

If you want to ensure the highest quality without the hassle, consider a professional digitizing service like Heiroom. Our team specializes in preserving all types and sizes of photo albums. We carefully scan your images, so you can keep your memories safe for years to come.