Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question about our service? Our most frequently asked questions are listed here for your reference. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please contact us and we’ll be able to help.
Once we have received your order and are in receipt of your images we will set to work, scanning each image at high quality resolution (600dpi for photographs and higher for slides) on our flatbed scanners. Once digitised and correctly labelled we then return your new images to you, either on USB or via our online gallery along with your original images. If your images need any editing, cropping or restorative work, we will complete this in Adobe Photoshop prior to us returning your images.
You can pack your images in just about anything, with the average shoe-box holding around 1,000 photos! Cardboard boxes and padded envelopes are ideal. If you live outside our “pick-up” radius and would like us to send you a shipping kit prior to image collection then just select that option in the ordering stage. The shipping kit will be sent via Royal Mail and contains a flat-packed mailbox plus mailbag for extra protection whilst in transit. Mailing instructions will also be provided along with any pre-paid shipping label required.
Organising your images into labelled batches is always a good idea. Or you may choose to simply group together with elastic bands or sticky notes; whatever works for you! We do ask that you refrain from writing on the back of your precious images with any kind of ink. Ink can smudge really easily and could also damage our scanners.
We can scan all image sizes up to A4.
We offer a couple of options. If you live within a 10 mile radius of our Greater Manchester location we will always endeavor to collect your images in person. If you don’t live within our “pick-up” radius then we will arrange for a trusted collection service on your behalf. Our courier of choice has various collection or convenient “drop-off” options available, whereby you drop your packed images off at an access point at a time that suits you rather than waiting for your courier. Whatever option you decide, we will take care of all the details during the ordering process.
Turnaround depends on how busy we currently are at The Memory Lab. Usually the images will be scanned in around 1-2 days of receipt. We will always keep you updated with order timelines. Once your order is complete we will email to let you know and issue your invoice. Once payment is collected we will then return your new and original images.
All we ask is that you give us a rough estimate on how many photos or slides you think you may have once you have removed the images from their sleeves or albums. If it turns out that you have more or less images than your estimate we will notify you and adjust payment, if necessary.
If your images are provided to us in order, we will ensure that they are returned to you in the same way.
We can scan albums (up to A4 in size) in full, page-by-page on our flatbed scanner. Because this is a more involved process, additional charges will apply. Take a look at our Album Scanning service for more information. Unfortunately we will not remove images ourselves from sleeves or mounted pages.
Keeping your images safe is our absolute priority. Every effort will be made to ensure that your images are correctly handled at every stage of the process. If you have any specific questions in relation to the safety of your images then please don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to provide the reassurance you need.
Our online gallery is coming soon! Once we’re ready to launch we’ll update our website with everything you need to know.
Once your order is complete we will store your images locally, on a local hard-drive in our lab for six months. We have found this is a reasonable amount of time for storage and offers peace-of-mind for our customers that they have back-ups available to them. After six months all images will be deleted from our system. Should you wish to arrange for your images to be deleted earlier, just drop us an email.
600dpi means ‘dots per inch’. Simply speaking the larger the dpi, the larger the number of dots and the clearer the image. We have found that 600dpi ensures a beautifully rich image, perfect for sharing online, enlarging and printing. For slide scanning, we increase the resolution even higher to make sure the images can be correctly enlarged.
Photo Restoration usually takes a little longer as the process is more involved and is dependent on the work that’s required. Upon confirmation of order we will be in touch to give you an estimate of time and when you may be able to expect your images returned to you.
Once we have received your order and are in receipt of your images we will set to work, scanning each image at high quality resolution (600dpi for photographs and higher for slides) on our flatbed scanners. Once digitised and correctly labelled we then return your new images to you, either on USB or via our online gallery along with your original images. If your images need any editing, cropping or restorative work, we will complete this in Adobe Photoshop prior to us returning your images.
You can pack your images in just about anything, with the average shoe-box holding around 1,000 photos! Cardboard boxes and padded envelopes are ideal. If you live outside our “pick-up” radius and would like us to send you a shipping kit prior to image collection then just select that option in the ordering stage. The shipping kit will be sent via Royal Mail and contains a flat-packed mailbox plus mailbag for extra protection whilst in transit. Mailing instructions will also be provided along with any pre-paid shipping label required.
Organising your images into labelled batches is always a good idea. Or you may choose to simply group together with elastic bands or sticky notes; whatever works for you! We do ask that you refrain from writing on the back of your precious images with any kind of ink. Ink can smudge really easily and could also damage our scanners.
We can scan all image sizes up to A4.
We offer a couple of options. If you live within a 10 mile radius of our Greater Manchester location we will always endeavor to collect your images in person. If you don’t live within our “pick-up” radius then we will arrange for a trusted collection service on your behalf. Our courier of choice has various collection or convenient “drop-off” options available, whereby you drop your packed images off at an access point at a time that suits you rather than waiting for your courier. Whatever option you decide, we will take care of all the details during the ordering process.
Turnaround depends on how busy we currently are at The Memory Lab. Usually the images will be scanned in around 1-2 days of receipt. We will always keep you updated with order timelines. Once your order is complete we will email to let you know and issue your invoice. Once payment is collected we will then return your new and original images.
All we ask is that you give us a rough estimate on how many photos or slides you think you may have once you have removed the images from their sleeves or albums. If it turns out that you have more or less images than your estimate we will notify you and adjust payment, if necessary.
If your images are provided to us in order, we will ensure that they are returned to you in the same way.
We can scan albums (up to A4 in size) in full, page-by-page on our flatbed scanner. Because this is a more involved process, additional charges will apply. Take a look at our Album Scanning service for more information. Unfortunately we will not remove images ourselves from sleeves or mounted pages.
Keeping your images safe is our absolute priority. Every effort will be made to ensure that your images are correctly handled at every stage of the process. If you have any specific questions in relation to the safety of your images then please don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to provide the reassurance you need.
Our online gallery is coming soon! Once we’re ready to launch we’ll update our website with everything you need to know.
Once your order is complete we will store your images locally, on a local hard-drive in our lab for six months. We have found this is a reasonable amount of time for storage and offers peace-of-mind for our customers that they have back-ups available to them. After six months all images will be deleted from our system. Should you wish to arrange for your images to be deleted earlier, just drop us an email.
600dpi means ‘dots per inch’. Simply speaking the larger the dpi, the larger the number of dots and the clearer the image. We have found that 600dpi ensures a beautifully rich image, perfect for sharing online, enlarging and printing. For slide scanning, we increase the resolution even higher to make sure the images can be correctly enlarged.
Photo Restoration usually takes a little longer as the process is more involved and is dependent on the work that’s required. Upon confirmation of order we will be in touch to give you an estimate of time and when you may be able to expect your images returned to you.
