Torn photo repair: what to do and what we can fix
If you are looking for torn photo repair, you are probably worried that the picture is gone for good. In nearly every case it is not. A tear looks final, but even when a photo has come apart in two or more pieces, the picture is still there on those pieces.
Here is what to do with the pieces right now, how to take a good picture of them, what we can and cannot bring back when we repair a torn photo, and what it costs.
First, keep every piece
Gather every piece, even the very small ones. Look where the photo tore: on the album page, inside the frame, in the drawer, on the floor. Even a tiny piece helps, because it shows your artist exactly what belongs in that spot.
Keep the pieces flat and together, in an envelope or between two sheets of plain paper, somewhere dry. Then leave them alone. You do not need to tape or glue anything, because we do the joining from your picture.
If a piece has curled, leave it curled. If the photo is already taped, leave the tape where it is. We can work from your picture either way, so there is nothing you need to fix first.
How to take a picture of a torn photo
Put the pieces on a plain table in good light. Lay them flat and fit them together as well as you can. If your photo is torn in half, lay the two halves side by side. Bring the torn edges close, but do not overlap them. A small gap is fine. It does not have to be perfect.
Hold your phone straight above the pieces and move it closer until they fill the screen. Make sure every piece is in the one picture, and check that there is no glare from a lamp or a window. If a piece will not lie flat, do not force it. Take the picture as it is.
When you order, there is a place to write anything you would like your artist to know. Tell us if a piece is missing, or which part of the photo matters most to you. And if you are not sure your picture is good enough, call or email us and we will help you with it.
What can be repaired
We can fix nearly anything a tear leaves behind. The tear line itself can be repaired, along with the creases and worn edges around it. Separate pieces are joined into one picture. A missing corner or a small gap can be filled in too: an experienced artist patiently rebuilds it from what surrounds it, such as the background, the clothing or the edge of a room.
Can we fix a ripped photo when a piece is missing? Yes. An experienced artist patiently rebuilds the missing part from what is still there. If you are not sure about your photo, call or email us before you order, and we will tell you what can be done.
And you are not left guessing about the repair. When your photo is ready, look closely at where the tear was. If something is not right, tell us and your artist works on it again, as many times as you need, free. If we still can't get it right, you get your money back.
Your original stays just as it is
The repair is made on the picture you take with your phone. Your paper photo is not touched, and it never leaves your house. If you would rather mail the original in, write to us and we will sort it out with you.
We email you when your restored photo is ready. You look at it, ask for changes if you want any, and download it. It is a digital copy you can save, share with your family and print.
If you would like a print to hold, you can add prints when you order. Sizes run from 4x6 to 16x20 inches, and a single print starts at $10. Nothing is printed until you have approved the restoration, and then we ship your prints to you. The torn original can go back safely in its envelope, and a whole copy can go in the frame.
More pieces do not mean a higher price
The price does not depend on how damaged your photo is or how many pieces it is in. You choose your artist: $38 or $58 per photo. With the artist you choose, a photo in five pieces costs the same as a photo with one small tear. Either way you get unlimited free revisions and the money-back guarantee, and you see the exact price before you pay.
If you have several torn photos, there is a discount when you restore three or more photos.
You choose the speed at checkout. Most orders are ready in 2 to 5 business days, delivered by email, and if you are in a rush we offer a 24-hour option for an extra charge. The first step is a simple one: lay the pieces on a table and take a picture with your phone. We take it from there.