Elder Woman Holding Old Photo of Herself

What Does DPI Mean in Scanning?

DPI stands for dots per inch. It’s the number of tiny pixels or dots captured in every inch of a scanned photo. The higher the DPI, the more detail you retain—especially when zooming in or printing.

If you’re scanning old printed photos, your goal isn’t just to create a digital copy. You want a high-quality digital version that honors the original and stands the test of time.

Split Photograph of Woman Showing the Difference Between 300DPI and 600DPI

Why 600 DPI Is the Best Option for Photos

600 DPI strikes the perfect balance between clarity and convenience. Here's why it’s your best bet:

Sharp detail — Faces, fabric textures, and fine background elements come through crisp and clear.
Zoom ready — Whether you’re viewing on a 4K screen or cropping into a small section, 600 DPI holds up.
High-quality reprints — You’ll be able to enlarge and reprint your photos without noticeable quality loss.
Still manageable file sizes — Most 4x6 prints scanned at 600 DPI stay under 10 MB each. That’s reasonable for cloud storage and backups.

Is 300 DPI Ever Enough?

300 DPI scans are good for:

Quick social media sharing
Standard-sized photo prints
Saving storage space if you're scanning thousands of images

But here’s the catch: if you ever want to crop, zoom, or reprint at a larger size, you may regret not using 600 DPI from the start. Once scanned, there’s no way to go back and capture more detail.

What About 1200 DPI or More?

Scanning above 600 DPI is only helpful for film formats like 35mm slides or negatives. For standard photo prints, 1200 DPI creates enormous files with little visual benefit. It’s more than most people need.

Let the Pros Handle It

At Heirloom, we professionally scan photos at 600 DPI—ensuring you never miss a detail. We also:

Enhance color and sharpness
Scan both photo prints and film formats
Upload everything to your secure, shareable cloud vault

All you have to do is drop off your box at any UPS Store. We’ll take care of the rest.

Digitize Now Before Time Fades Your Memories

Every photo tells a story. But if it’s trapped in a shoebox or album, it’s slowly fading.
Let us rescue it—at the best quality, for generations to enjoy.

📦 Start Digitizing Now with Heirloom. One secure box, endless memories preserved.

Geoff Weber

Learn More

Geoff, a retired military officer, founded Heirloom to make personal digital archiving simple and secure—helping families preserve and enjoy priceless memories for generations.