Scanning

Unparalleled fidelity in digitizing your images

Photograph by Doug Hall

PLEASE VISIT THE LAB BY APPOINTMENT

Schedule An Appointment

Photograph by Jock McDonald

Scans of every size

Whether you’re scanning something new or archiving the family history, the quality of our scans is beyond compare.


Depending on your needs, we offer a wide variety of scanning options in all output sizes and formats.

Let’s chat about your project

(415) 252-1300
[email protected]

Imacon Scanning


Best for enlarging your photographs to print at any size with unequaled quality.

Our Imacon 848 scanner combines both exceptional hardware and software to provide our customers with clean and detailed scans of work.

Depending on the format of the original (4×5, 35mm, etc) our Imacon scanner can scan with resolutions up to 6,300 DPI.

We recommend using our Imacon scanner for anything up to 20 x 30″ in size – for anything larger, we suggest utilizing our Heidelberg Drum scanner (see below).

  • Resolutions up to 8,000 dpi depending on film size
  • From film (neg. or transparency) originals to 4×5”
  • From reflective originals to 8.5×11"
  • Output in RGB Tiff format
  • File sizes (8-bit) up to 235 MB depending on film size
  • File sizes (16-bit) to 460 MB depending on film size

Hi-Res Scans
8-Bit, $58 • 16-Bit, $80

  • On disc with Index Print


Hi-Res Premiun Scans

8-Bit, $58 • 16-Bit, $80

  • Spotted, cropped, and worked in Photoshop to be ready to print
  • On disc with Index Print and Proof Print


DIY Imacon Scanning
$45/hour or 6 hours for $225


Flatbed Scanning


Best for high definition reproduction of photographs and flat art.

Epson 10,000XL

This flatbed scanner is able to produce resolutions up to 12,000 dpi depending on size and format of the original work.

Sometimes called a reflective scanner, it works by shining white light onto the object to be scanned and reading the intensity and color of light that is reflected from it, usually a line at a time.

They are designed for scanning prints or other flat, opaque materials but some have available transparency adapters, which for a number of reasons, in most cases, are not well suited to scanning film.

  • Resolutions up to 12,000 dpi depending on size of original
  • From reflective originals to 12×16.5"
  • Output in RGB Tiff format
  • File sizes up to 1GB depending on size of original

Hi-Res Scans
8-Bit, $58 • 16-Bit, $80

  • On disc with Index Print


Hi-Res Premiun Scans

8-Bit, $58 • 16-Bit, $80

  • Spotted, cropped, and worked in Photoshop to be ready to print
  • On disc with Index Print and Proof Print


DIY Flatbed Scanning
$45/hour or 6 hours for $225


Photograph by Ethan Russell

Heidelberg Drum Scanning


Best for prints larger than 40×50″ – and for larger negatives, transparancies or reflective prints up to 17×17″

Heidelberg Drum Scanners have the quality to reproduce all the subtle details embedded in your negatives and transparencies. This level of detail gives you full control over the crucial interpretation of your work.

  • File sizes (8-bit) up to 235 MB depending on film size
  • For film (neg. or transparency) originals from 35mm to 17×17″
  • From reflective originals and transparencies to 17×17"
  • Output in RGB Tiff format
  • File sizes (8-bit) up to 235 MB depending on film size
  • File sizes (16-bit) to 460 MB depending on film size
  • Call (415) 252-1300 for a custom quote

FOR PRINT SIZES UP TO 20″x24″ $40
Approximate output file size: 40mb in grayscale, 120mb in color

FOR PRINT SIZES UP TO 24″x30″ $50
Approximate output file size: 60mb in grayscale, 180mb in color

FOR PRINT SIZES UP TO 30″x40″ $70
Approximate output file size: 100mb in grayscale, 300mb in color

FOR PRINT SIZES UP TO 40″x50″ $100
Approximate output file size: 175mb in grayscale, 525mb in color

FOR PRINT SIZES UP TO 50″x60″ $115
Approximate output file size: 250mb in grayscale, 750mb in color

FOR PRINT SIZES UP TO 60″x90″ $150
Approximate output file size: 450mb in grayscale, 1gb in color


Large Flat Art Reproduction


Best for flat art larger than 8x5x11″

  • Digitized using the latest photographic technology
  • Custom and standard services available
  • Output in RGB Tiff format

STANDARD SERVICE – UP TO 20″x24″ $50
· On disc with Index Print

PREMIUM SERVICE – UP TO 20″x24″ $65
· Spotted, cropped, and worked in Photoshop to be ready to print
· On disc with Index Print and Proof Print

STANDARD SERVICE – LARGER THAN 20×24 $75
· On disc with Index Print

PREMIUM SERVICE – LARGER THAN 20×24 $90
· Spotted, cropped, and worked in Photoshop to be ready to print
· On disc with Index Print and Proof Print


Roll-Film Scanning


Best for smaller prints and digital archiving. This custom-built option is available for film only.

  • Nikon D800 DSLR – 36 MP sensor
  • Nikon 60mm Micro-Nikkor lens
    Resolutions up to 300 dpi at 8×10″
  • For full rolls, cut rolls and individual frames of 35mm, 120 and 220 film
  • Output in RGB TIFF format

PER FRAME (35mm, 120, 220) – $5

Q: What’s the best way to get us your originals?


A: By hand or post, you can deliver them to our SoMA SF location.

Our Mission Dolores Park location is open by appointment only

Our friendly staff loves to share their expertise and experience. Come in, load up your photos on a Mac workstation, sip on an organic espresso or tea, and let us help you create the perfect print.

Make An Appointment

We’re always here to help
(415) 252-1300
[email protected]

Monday: 10 – 6
Tuesday: 10 -7
Wednesday: 10 – 6


Ask us anything

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

We share local artist profiles, photo resources, interviews, exclusive discounts and a behind-the-scenes look at a modern photo lab.

Get our awesome newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Your Local San Francisco
Photo Lab