With the right equipment, it's easy to scan your 35mm photo slides and negatives to create digital
files and prints. Find step-by-step instructions and simple scanning tips to get the best results.
Get started
To start scanning slides and negatives, you need a photo scanner with built-in negative and slide scanning capabilities.
So make sure your scanner or All-in-One is equipped with a transparent materials adapter (TMA), which enables it to
import transparent materials like slides and negatives. If you don't have a scanner with a TMA, read on to
Get the right HP scanner for the job.
Because each scanner model is different, it is important to refer to your photo scanner's manual for detailed
instructions on scanning slides and negatives with your specific model. Here we will show you how to scan slides
and negatives using the HP Scanjet G4050:
Step 1: Open the scanner lid and remove the Transparent Materials Adapter (TMA).
Step 2: Place your slides or negatives into the appropriate template. Follow
the orientation indicated by the icons on the template.
Step 3: Tip: If you are scanning fewer than the maximum number of negatives with
the TMA, cover the empty spaces with the provided light shields to avoid letting any extra light in.
Step 4: Place the template on the scanner glass, aligning the arrow on the
template with the indicated mark on the scanner bed.
Step 5: Close the scanner lid and press the Scan Film
button (or select the Scan Film option if you're using the HP Solution Center
application on your PC).
Step 6: In the Scanning from dialog box, click
Change Settings.
Step 7: Under Scan Shortcut Settings, select your Scan Type
(either Negatives (TMA) or Slides or Positives (TMA)).
Step 8: Under Scan To select
Save to file. Then click Scan.
Step 9: Under the Save Location dialog box, click
Browse and enter the destination folder of your choice. Click
OK and follow any on-screen instructions to finish scanning. The scan will be
sent to the destination folder you selected.
Following a few simple steps can make all the difference in the quality of your slide or negative scan. Remember these tips as you begin scanning:
Scan at the right resolution
When scanning your photo slides and negatives, it is crucial to scan at the right resolution
(about 300 ppi) to get a high quality digital image or print later on. While scanning at a
higher resolution takes a bit more time and creates larger image files, the quality and detail
of your scan will be much greater. Learn more about the role of resolution in this article on
Enlarging through high resolution scanning.
Edit your scanned images
HP Scanjet scanners come with software that makes it easy to restore faded color, adjust color and
brightness, remove dust and scratches, and more. Learn how to use this scanner software to
Produce better photos through scanning,
or enhance and edit your scanned image with Windows Live Photo Gallery.
Back up your files
File sizes can add up quickly once you start scanning, editing, and archiving slides and negatives,
especially when scanning at high resolution. Be sure to back up your image files to CD, DVD, or an
external hard drive to avoid running out of space. Check out these
Tips for storing digital photos
for more.
Check out these HP photo scanners with built-in slide and negative scanning capabilities:
The HP Scanjet G4050
delivers superior color accuracy, and up to 4800x9000 dpi resolution. It also has the ability to
scan 16 slides or 30 negatives at once, making it perfect for building a digital image library
from old photo slides and negatives, and other substantial scanning jobs.
Printable version
