Buying · 12 September 2026 · 4 min read
Photo Restoration in the UK: What It Costs and What Can Be Fixed
What photo restoration costs in the UK, what tears, stains and fading can be repaired, what can't be saved, how long it takes and how to send an old print.
Last updated: September 2026
Photo restoration in the UK
Quick answer: Most old photographs can be restored. Tears, creases, stains, scratches, fading and colour casts are all routine repairs, and a black-and-white photo can have colour added. Online services start at around £9 for light damage, with heavier repairs and colourising costing more. We restore photos for £15 each, whatever the damage, with colour included if you want it, and send the restored file back by email, usually within 48 hours.
The one thing restoration can't do is bring back something the photograph never kept. If a face has been torn away or has faded to nothing, no restorer can put the real features back. Anything that fills the gap is a guess.
What restoration can fix
- Tears and missing corners. The gap is filled to match the photograph around it.
- Creases and cracks. Fold lines and cracked emulsion are smoothed out.
- Stains, water marks and spots. Brown tide marks, mould spots and spills are lifted from the image.
- Scratches and dust. Fine lines and specks are cleaned up.
- Fading. Washed-out contrast is brought back, as long as the detail is still there to recover.
- Colour casts. The orange or magenta tint that 1970s and 1980s prints turn is corrected to natural colour.
- Black and white to colour. Natural colour can be added. Our guide to colourising black and white photos explains what looks real.
What it can't fix
- A missing face. If a tear or a stain has taken the eyes, nose or mouth, there's nothing to restore from. A restorer can only invent what might have been there, and it won't be that person.
- Heavy blur. Restoration cleans up damage. It can't add sharpness the camera never captured.
- A photo that's too small. A tiny print copied at low resolution has too few pixels to rebuild a clear face. Scan small prints at a higher setting (see how to scan old photos).
What it costs
| Option | Typical UK price | Turnaround | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free phone apps | Free to a few pounds | Minutes | Light fading and scratches; results on faces vary |
| Online restoration, light damage | From about £9 | A day or two | Dust, small scratches, mild fading |
| Online restoration, heavy damage | £15 to £25 and up | 1–3 days | Tears, creases, water damage |
| Adding colour | Often £30 or more | 2–3 days | Black-and-white photos |
| Our photo restoration | £15 a photo, colour included | Usually within 48 hours | Any damage, with or without colour |
Prices at local photo shops vary widely, so ask for a quote before you hand anything over.
How long it takes
Light repairs can be turned round the same day. Heavier damage takes longer because each tear and stain has to be rebuilt to match the photograph around it. Ours usually come back within 48 hours.
How to send an old photo
You don't need to post the original. Send a copy:
- Scan it at 600 dpi, or 1200 dpi for anything smaller than a postcard.
- Or photograph it with your phone. Lay it flat by a window in daylight, turn the flash off, hold the phone straight above it, and fill the frame.
- Don't crop or edit it first. Send the whole print, edges and damage included.
Our step-by-step guide to scanning old photos covers settings, glare and photos stuck in albums.
Restoration or a painting?
If you want the photograph itself back, restore it. If you want something to hang on the wall that outlasts any print, a painting may be the better answer. A painter works from the damaged original and simply doesn't paint the damage. We cover that choice in can an old, damaged photograph become a painting?
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to restore an old photo in the UK?
Online services start at around £9 for light damage, with heavier repairs and colourising costing more. We charge £15 a photo whatever the damage, with colour included if you ask for it.
Can a torn photo be fixed?
Usually, yes. Tears are one of the most common repairs. The exception is a tear straight through a face that takes the features with it.
Will the restored photo still look like the person?
It should. The aim is to repair the damage without changing anyone's face. Check it against the original, and if something doesn't look right, tell us and we'll put it right or refund you.
Do I need to post the original photograph?
No. A scan or a clear phone photo is all we need, and the original stays safely with you.
What do I get back?
A high-resolution digital file by email, ready to print at home or at any photo shop.