Precision Film and Slide Scanning for Your Private Photo Archives

Time works against analog media. Color fading, vinegar syndrome, and physical wear and tear threaten private photo archives in Innsbruck and the surrounding Tyrol region. A professional slide scan is not merely a simple copy, but a form of digital conservation that allows the original brilliance and depth of detail of your captures to be restored and secured before the physical medium degrades beyond repair.

At Basqueluma, we rely on a combination of technical precision and archival care. We treat every negative and every slide as a unique piece of history. By utilizing high-resolution sensors, we capture the full color information of the film carrier, enabling flexible post-processing and lossless archiving. Whether it is old family albums from the 1960s, historical documentation, or high-quality architectural photography, we implement the optimal scan workflow for your specific material to ensure maximum fidelity.

Who is our film scanning service for?

Our service is designed for a wide range of clients who prioritize quality and security. This includes families wishing to visually document their genealogy and who currently store hundreds of slides in old boxes. We also support passionate analog photographers who want to present their work in a digital portfolio without risking the original negatives through frequent handling.

Additionally, smaller institutions, associations, or local archives in Tyrol trust our expertise when it comes to securing historical documentation from 35mm films. Since we are based in Innsbruck, we offer personal drop-off and pick-up, which is highly recommended for particularly valuable or fragile originals to completely eliminate shipping risks.

How the workflow operates in detail

After the initial analysis of your material, we create a detailed list of the units to be scanned. We distinguish between standard negatives and slides, as these require different exposure strategies. During the scanning process, we pay close attention to the dynamics of shadows and highlights to maintain a natural image appearance that captures the original moment.

The digital development takes place in a controlled environment. We use professional software for color correction to neutralize the typical "color cast" found in aging films, which often occurs due to the decomposition of color layers. This process is time-consuming but ensures that the results do not look artificial, but rather reflect the authentic atmosphere of the time the photo was taken.

What you should prepare for the order

To ensure a smooth process, we ask that you submit your films in a sorted manner if possible. If you already have a list or a specific naming convention for the files (e.g., "Italy_Trip_1974"), please let us know in advance. This makes it much easier to match the digital files back to your physical negatives later in your own archive.

Please remove loose receipts or notes from the film holders unless they are intended to be part of the archiving process. We recommend transporting films in stable protective sleeves to avoid mechanical damage on the way to our studio at Maria-Theresien-Straße 42.

The Result: What you receive

You will receive your digitized images in a quality suitable for both simple screen viewing and high-quality prints. By default, we deliver files via a USB stick or a secured cloud download link. The filenames follow a logical structure that corresponds to your handover list for easy organization.

In addition to the digital data, you receive all originals back in the same form they were delivered to us. We do not perform permanent storage of originals. Digital copies are kept available for 60 days, after which they are deleted from our systems for data protection reasons in accordance with our privacy policy.

Timeframes and Delivery

The duration of digitization depends heavily on the volume of your archive. For smaller quantities, the average turnaround time is approximately 10 days. For very large archives with several thousand images, we coordinate the schedule individually with you. Please note that our standard turnaround time, as per our terms, is up to 12 working days.

Should you have an urgent deadline, we offer an express option. In this case, we prioritize your order in the queue, which incurs a surcharge of 50% on the regular costs. We will always inform you in advance about the realistic feasibility of an urgent order based on current studio capacity.

Scope of Service: What is not included

Our standard scan includes digitization and basic color correction. Deep manual retouching (e.g., removing people, reconstructing missing image parts, or complex montage work) is not included in the price and is offered as a separate service under Image and Audio Restoration.

Similarly, the physical restoration of decomposed films (e.g., chemical cleaning for severe mold infestation) is a specialized process calculated separately. We do not make copies of copyright-protected commercial films; our service is exclusively for private or legally secured archives.

Price Calculation and VAT

Billing is performed per image (single frame). The prices listed in our table include the statutory VAT of 20%. For business customers (B2B), we state the net price separately. The final sum is calculated by multiplying the number of images actually scanned by the respective unit price.

A deposit of 30% is required upon placing the order to reserve capacities in our studio. The remaining balance is due upon completion of the work and before the delivery of the data. Detailed information on our payment terms can be found in our Terms.

Frequently Asked Questions about Film Scanning

Which resolution is optimal for my needs?

For simple viewing on screens or in digital albums, a standard scan is completely sufficient. However, if you plan to print the images in large formats or secure them for archival purposes, we recommend the 4K scan (6400 dpi), which captures every detail of the grain.

Are my originals safe with you?

Yes, the safety of your originals is our highest priority. We use dust-free working environments and professional holders that do not damage the material. However, we always recommend dropping off originals personally at our studio in Innsbruck to avoid postal risks.

Can I have damaged films digitized?

In most cases, yes. Creases or slight contamination can often be minimized through the scanning process or subsequent digital processing. In cases of severe mold infestation, we inspect the material beforehand and advise you on the possibilities.

In which format will I receive the images?

We offer TIFF for maximum quality (lossless) and JPEG for easy handling and smaller file sizes. We are happy to create both versions, so that you have an archival copy and a working copy for sharing.

Contact Us for Your Project

Do you have questions about your specific film formats or would you like to request an individual quote for a very large archive? We are happy to advise you personally in our studio in Innsbruck or via email.

Visit us at Maria-Theresien-Straße 42 to arrange an initial free inspection of your materials. We will help you rescue your analog treasures into the digital era.

Get in Touch Now

Alternatively, you can find an overview of all our services on the Services page.