Restore Old Photos With AI
A preservation-first workflow for digitizing and editing old photos without treating generated detail as archival fact.
Evidence status: The preservation advice is based on current US National Archives guidance. Mend Pixels has not completed the required scan/output test or facial-change comparison, so the page does not claim a universal scan setting or verified AI result.
Digitize without risking the original
The US National Archives advises keeping physical originals after digitization, fitting a flat photograph fully on the scanner, and avoiding automatic-feed scanners for fragile or valuable material. Its family-archive page does not prescribe one universal resolution or file format, so choose settings for the print size and intended use and record them with the master file.
- Handle the print carefully and stop if the scanner lid or feed path could damage it.
- Create one high-quality digital master without replacing the physical original.
- Record the scanner, optical resolution, color mode, and file format.
- Make a separate working copy for every repair or AI service.
Use a reversible editing order
- Correct crop and rotation on the working copy.
- Repair dust or tears without overwriting the master.
- Adjust faded tone and color separately.
- If you choose AI face enhancement, apply it last and save it as another derivative.
Treat facial changes as unverified
Remini's US store description advertises repair for old, blurry, and scratched photos, but the listing does not establish historical or identity accuracy. Mend Pixels has not tested that output. Compare eyes, teeth, hairlines, clothing, jewelry, text, and background structure with the untouched scan; if a change cannot be supported by the source, keep the unenhanced or manually repaired version.
Sources
Official sources checked July 30, 2026. Platform and store descriptions are attributed publisher claims; they are not Mend Pixels test results.