More Frequently Asked Questions
Do you keep my originals?
Everything you send to us is returned along with your completed order. We will also keep a backup of your scanned digital images on our archived storage server for a period of 180 days in case you should have any need for a spare copy.
Moreover, given the sensitive nature of your personal photos we take your privacy very seriously, and we fully adhere to the 'General Data Protection Regulation (2018)'. Your original photos/slides, for example, will be stored in a secure fireproof safe for the duration of your order request.
Click here for more information regarding our Privacy Policy.
How does the DVD slideshow work?
Once you have selected what photos you want included in your slideshow along with a choice of music, we will put the show together using a variety of transition effects along with a given time-delay. We can also include an opening title page with something like "Our Daughter Lucy's 18th Birthday Party". (Please specify your music in the "Order Comments" box when placing your order.)
** Certain commercial music maybe subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without permission of the copyright holder.
What is the difference between JPG and TIFF?
JPG images, are probably the most popular image file out there, and is supported by a large number of photo imaging software across a range of media devices. That said JPG files can lose image quality if file compression is set at a high level in order to keep the file size relatively low.
For example a JPG file with a compression set to 90% will mean a low file size (1MB, for example), but a lot of image detail will be lost. Whereas the same JPG file with a compression of less than 10% will mean a larger file size (8MB) but with a very detailed final image, even when the image is magnified several times!
TIFF images, on the other hand, have little or no compression, and therefore the level of image detail is extremely high. But of course this comes at a cost of a very large file size!
TIFF files are fine for your digital images, but are more commonly used for high-level photo editing &enhancing at a more professional standard. And not all media devices (some makes of tablets, SmartTVs and SmartPhones etc.) will recognise a TIFF file.
Therefore, a low-compression JPG file of say 10MB could be around 90MB or more as a TIFF file if scanned at say 1200dpi. Therefore, if you wanted 100 photos scanned at this resolution for example, it would subsequently mean a total JPG size of around 1GB, or a total TIFF size of 9GB!
With JPG files we try not to use any compression at all as we do not want to sacrifrice image quality. Therefore file sizes for both types will be relatively high. This is something you should consider when deciding on file format and the level of detail required, as this will ultimately determine the capacity of your chosen storage media.
Are you still open for business during the lockdown?
Yes, we are still open. If customers do visit us to collect their completed orders we do adhere to the latest government guidelines, including hand sanitizing, social distancing and the wearing of masks & gloves. And that the handing over of goods will generally take place outside of our premises.
UPDATE. With lockdowns now a distant memory we are still welcoming personal visits. Although we still adhere to any requests from customers with regards face coverings and hand sanitizers.
Are there any photos or slides you won't or can't scan?
In such instances we will use our discretion, but we may not be able to scan the following:-
- photos or slides with staples, pins, Sellotape, glue, Blue Tack or any form of adhesive.
- laminated photos
- torn or badly damaged/marked/scuffed photos, slides and negatives
- under/overexposed images
- blank frames on film strips
- glass slides
- photos larger than A4
In these instances we may credit you against your original invoice.
And in terms of content, we will use our discretion, but generally we will not scan the following:-
- Anything that is racist, homophobic, transphobic, sexist etc.
- Violence, death, explicit injuries/wounds, rape, torture.
- Anti-social activies, criminal intent, terrorism, riots, anarchy, civil disobedience.
- Animal cruelty/suffering, including blood sports
- Sexual nudity (Semi or Full), sexual activity
- Child abuse/paedophilia
- Anything that might be construed as libelous, malicious and/or defamatory
Under certain circumstances such extreme images may result in police action.
Do you offer discounts for larger orders?
We do offer discounts for quantities over certain thresholds across all our scanning services (See our Price List page for more details). We also offer promotional discounts from time to time, which can be activated during the checkout process.
What courier do you use?
Royal Mail is our courier of choice, as we have always found them reliable and consistent with their delivery service. That said, during busier periods we will sometimes include other national couriers such as Hermes and DPD.
In our experience, Royal Mail's "Tracked 48" service is widely favoured by our customers, and as such it is our prinicple despatch service.
For our requirements, "Tracked 48" covers four levels of service, based on weight and size (in cms):-
- Small Parcels up to 1Kg (max dimensions L45 x W35 x D16)
- Medium Parcels up to 2Kg (max dimensions L61 x W46 x D46)
- Medium Parcels up to 5Kg (max dimensions L61 x W46 x D46)
- Medium Parcels up to 10Kg (max dimensions L61 x W46 x D46)
In addition, the service includes:-
- end-to-end tracking
- sms/email notifications
- 2 to 3 working day delivery
- up to £100 compensation
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