How to Scan Oversized Portraits and Framed Photos Without Damaging Them
By: USA IMAGING, Inc.
Oversized portraits, heirloom photos, and framed prints hold deep sentimental and historical value. But when it comes time to digitize them, many people hesitate—worried that scanning might cause damage.
Fortunately, with the right tools and techniques, you can scan large and framed photos safely and without harm. At USA Imaging, we specialize in handling these delicate and irreplaceable pieces with the care they deserve.
🖼️ What Qualifies as “Oversized”?
Any photo larger than 11"x17" is typically considered oversized and won’t fit standard flatbed scanners. This includes:
Family portraits
Mounted class or military photos
Framed historical prints
Wedding or studio enlargements
Panorama photos
These items often come with fragile frames, glass, or aging materials—all of which require special handling.
❌ The Risk of DIY Scanning
Trying to scan oversized or framed photos at home can be risky:
Removing photos from frames may cause tearing, cracking, or damage to the matting or print.
Laying large prints on small scanners results in cut-off or distorted images.
Shiny glass or textured finishes can cause glare, reflections, or uneven scans.
In short, scanning oversized items without professional equipment can do more harm than good.
✅ Our Large-Format Scanning Process
At USA Imaging, we use specialized large-format scanners designed to digitize oversized and framed items safely—without removing them from their frames in most cases.
Key benefits of our process include:
Non-contact scanning: No rollers or pressure applied to fragile surfaces
Edge-to-edge capture: Full image without cropping or shadowing
No glass removal needed: We scan through the frame using glare-reduction techniques
High-resolution output: Up to 600 DPI for archival-quality digital images
Color correction and restoration available
We treat every piece like a museum artifact—because to you, it is.
🛑 When NOT to Remove a Photo from the Frame
In many cases, it’s actually safer to leave the photo in its frame. You should avoid removing it if:
It’s glued or permanently mounted
The paper is brittle, curled, or cracking
The backing is sealed or foam-core mounted
The glass is fused to the photo surface
Trying to unmount these yourself could destroy the photo. Let our trained technicians evaluate and scan it safely.
🧼 Optional Touchups and Digital Enhancements
Once scanned, we can also help with:
Removing glare or reflections
Repairing faded or torn areas
Enhancing contrast or color balance
Cropping and rotating for print-ready versions
Your oversized originals stay intact. The digital version gets polished for sharing, printing, or archiving.
📞 Have an Oversized or Framed Photo You Need Scanned?
Don’t take chances with your memories. USA Imaging has the expertise and equipment to scan large-format and framed photos without damage.
Call us at (858) 513-6565
Email: [email protected]
or Request a Quote today.
We’ll handle your photos with the same care you do.
