Tips for bulk scanning multiple photos fast

How to scan multiple photos at once

The best and fastest way to scan photos is to fit as many photos as you can on your scanner bed, without letting them touch. Leave a little bit of whitespace between each, which will allow AutoCropper to detect the individual photos.

AutoCropper makes it easy to scan multiple family photos and divide them into individual files. AutoCropper allows you to scan multiple photos and split them into distinct files after you finish scanning. Easily separate photographs from the scan with the click of a button. Extract images from the scan with ease. No need for the inefficient software that came with your scanner.

Here is how you can scan multiple photos in a single pass:

  1. Arrange a few pictures on your flatbed scanner. Make sure there is enough space between them, so that they don't overlap. Usually, 3 to 5 photographs can all fit comfortably on the scanner's surface.
  2. Scan - pick a high DPI for your scan. It's important to use a high resolution so that each photo turns out with great quality. I recommend around 10-13 seconds for each scan.
  3. Upload the scan to the AutoCropper website. You can upload 10 photos at a time, with no size restrictions. AutoCropper will automatically recognize, adjust the angle and separate each photo in your scan. Use your mouse to edit the identified regions, if needed. The identified images will appear with a blue border.
  4. Press the download button to split your scanned photos into separate files, with each one automatically cropped for convenience.
  5. Repeat from step #2 for subsequent photos.

This is the perfect way to scan multiple photos in batches. Spend your time scanning, not cropping. Place 3 or 4 photos on the scanner, and scan. Repeat this process 10 times and upload the scans to AutoCropper. This will separate the photos into individual images and crop them perfectly, all in less than 5 minutes. No need to take a preview scan first.

AutoCropper will automatically crop photos that have been scanned in one go - even if multiple images were included in the scan. It is the most efficient way to scan multiple photos at once. AutoCropper will accurately extract each photo into its own separate file. Best of all, AutoCropper allows batch uploading of 10 photos or scans at a time.

AutoCropper is also cross-platform, working on Windows, Mac, and Linux unlike alternatives. AutoCropper runs in your browser and does not require downloading any software.

This web app will automatically crop separate photos that have been scanned together in one go. AutoCropper is designed for previously scanned photos and will give you an even more precise outcome than traditional scanning software or manual cropping. Keep reading to find out more.

Best ways to scan a lot of photos

There are plenty of options on digitizing your family photos. The choice you make ultimately depends on your time investment, and cost. If you've gone down the manual route and decided to manually scan your print photos, you are in the right place. AutoCropper makes splitting your individual photos with multiple pictures into separate files with ease.

Anyways, here are a few different options for scanning lots of photos:

Using your phone camera (iPhone or Android)

  • AI and machine learning have given rise to a number of applications such as Google PhotoScan, Microsoft Lens, and OpenScan. These are quite useful for single-use scanning and quickly sharing photos with family or a friend, though the quality is not great. Poor lighting and glares can be an issue, which is why these apps employ aggressive digital editing, making it hard to maintain the original quality of an image. Bulk scanning with these applications is unlikely to give satisfying results, not to mention that often times old photos are not perfectly flat, which physical scanners can handle more effectively.

High end camera and mount

  • Position your premium digital camera above the photograph in a stable mount, with high quality lighting to avoid reflections. With the right skill and quality of digital tools, this method has the potential to produce results just as good as some scanners, yet requires expensive hardware and is very time consuming. You need a superior camera, an unshakable stand, and a uniform background.

Photo scanning service

  • Have your photos scanned and stored digitally by a local company. The main disadvantage is the cost. Often, the photos are sent overseas to take advantage of cheaper labor. This means that strangers will be viewing your family photos, compromising your privacy. There's also a risk of them getting lost. However, some companies can retouch images quite well and provide good results.

Flatbed scanner

  • Scanning multiple photos with a flatbed scanner can be a tedious task. While a flatbed scanner is a common and convenient device for this purpose, the software that comes with it can be limiting. For example, using Epson's V600 software requires a separate preview scan, manual cropping, and individual scans for each image. This process can take up to 3 minutes for just 4 photos. To streamline this process, consider using specialized photo scanning software.

Flatbed scanner + AutoCropper

  • Scanning multiple photos at once with a flatbed scanner can be made even more efficient with the use of AutoCropper. By setting your scanner to make a high-quality, single scan, you can quickly and easily process a large number of photos in one session. However, this will leave you with a folder filled with multiple images on each scan. AutoCropper solves this problem by providing automatic cropping of already scanned photos. Simply upload your scans in batches of 10, and AutoCropper will seamlessly export the individual images as separate, cropped files. The software also automatically corrects common image issues such as fading and allows you to add captions and metadata tags for easy searching and organization. With AutoCropper, you can preserve your privacy, save on costs, and have complete control over your image files' captions and metadata.

How do you scan a lot of pictures onto your computer?

Scanning your family photos in bulk can be a daunting task, but with the help of a flatbed scanner and a handy web application, it doesn't have to be. By keeping your photos and privacy safe, and giving you complete control over the final product, digitizing your valuable memories can be a breeze. Here are a few tips to make your scanning project more successful:

  1. Organize your photos

    If you want to find your memories quickly and easily, consider sorting your photographs by time, starting with the oldest and working your way to the newest. Develop a system that makes it easy to find and categorize your photos, such as adding the year to the beginning of all file names. Also, take advantage of metadata, which is data that is secretly stored within the file, and can be edited to add a date and description of the photo.

  2. Avoid duplicating work

    Some photos may not be worth scanning due to poor quality or duplication. Review your collection and ask yourself if the image is good and unique. If the answer is no, you can skip the scanning process. In some cases, if you are into data hoarding principles (like myself), I swore to scan every single photo, no matter the contents. I wanted the peace of mind knowing every photo my parents took was digitally stored.

    You never know when it might come handy, whether its 20 years down the line, a random picture of people I may not have recognized today might be of interest!

  3. Prepare your photos for scanning

    If your collection is anything like mine, you probably want to delicately clean dust or debris off of each photo. My photos were scattered in so many different places in our dark basement. After a couple hundred scans, there was visible dust and dirt beginning to accumulate on my scanner bed.

    Make sure to remove any dust from individual images and use a non-abrasive cloth to make sure the paper is not damaged. Also it's best to remove photographs from albums for better scanning results. Avoid scanning frames or straps that may obstruct part of the photo.

  4. Create a separate storage box for already scanned photos

    This is the fun part, where you have a box of scanned photos you never need to touch again. Of course, it is still worth keeping these originals. But having the peace of mind knowing that all the photos that have been scanned are stored in one place physically is awesome.

  5. Create a separate backup for scanned files

    On the other hand, your digital scans should be stored in at least two or three places. Now with Google Photos and iCloud Drive, Dropbox, and more, there are plenty of places to keep redundant backups.

    Digital image files can be easily copied or transferred, but they can also be easily lost. To ensure the safety of your photos, store them in multiple devices and geographical locations. Consider using cloud-based file storage, such as Google Photos, as an additional backup.

AutoCropper can help make your scanning process even faster and easier by providing automatic cropping of already scanned photos. Keep scrolling to learn more about how AutoCropper can assist you with your scanning project.