How to Reduce Scratches in a Scanned Photo
By ImgHeal
Separate surface scratches from real edges before editing a digital copy.
Find the scratch boundaries
View the scan at full size and follow each bright or dark line across the photograph. A scratch often crosses unrelated objects, while a seam, strand of hair, or fence follows the scene. Mark uncertain areas on a separate reference copy before changing anything.
Repair small areas first
In a manual editor, sample nearby texture and use short strokes instead of drawing over an entire face or garment. Work on a separate layer. If you try AI restoration, compare the same lines in the source and result; a scratch through an eye gives the model very little reliable information about that eye.
Inspect texture after repair
Look for repeated patches, smooth bands, and broken outlines. Review both the full photograph and a close view. A repair that hides a line may still remove fabric texture or alter an expression. Keep a less aggressive version if the stronger repair changes important details.
Before you finish
- Distinguish scratches from scene details.
- Inspect repairs across faces and clothing.
- Save the source and edited copy separately.
Continue with a related guide
Try a restoration on a copy of your photo
Keep the original scan. Upload a separate digital copy, review ImgHeal’s generated result, and decide whether it suits your needs.
Open ImgHeal