Have you got boxes of old family photographs sitting in the loft? Maybe you've inherited albums full of childhood memories, wedding pictures or photographs of loved ones that you haven't seen for years.
You keep meaning to do something with them, but scanning hundreds or thousands of photos individually sounds like a job that could take forever.
That's where photo scanner rental comes in.
At DIY Photo Scan, we make it easy to digitise your photographs from the comfort of your own home. Instead of buying an expensive scanner or sending irreplaceable photographs away to a scanning company, you can rent a high-speed Epson FastFoto FF-680W and do everything yourself.
With flexible rental periods, free UK delivery and returns, and a scanner capable of processing up to one photo per second, preserving your memories has never been easier.
Why Rent a Photo Scanner Instead of Buying One?
A good quality photo scanner is a worthwhile investment if you're planning to use it regularly. But what if you've simply got a few thousand family photographs to digitise?
Buying an expensive scanner for a one-off project doesn't always make financial sense.
With photo scanner rental, you get access to specialist scanning equipment without paying the full purchase price.
You can scan your entire collection, save the digital images to your computer and return the scanner when you're finished.
There's no equipment to store afterwards, no maintenance to worry about and no need to spend hundreds of pounds on something you might never use again.
And because you do the scanning yourself, you can take your time deciding which photographs to keep, how to organise them and which memories to share with family.
Meet the Epson FastFoto FF-680W – The Scanner That Makes It Possible
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The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is specifically designed to make scanning large collections of photographs quick and straightforward.
Unlike a traditional flatbed scanner, where you have to position each photograph individually, the FastFoto has an automatic document feeder.
Simply load a suitable stack of photographs, start the scanning process and let the machine do the work.
What makes it so useful?
- High-speed scanning: Processes suitable standard photographs at up to one per second at 300 dpi.
- Automatic feeding: Scan batches without manually placing every photograph on a glass surface.
- 600 dpi scanning option: Capture more detail when you want higher-resolution digital copies.
- Automatic photo enhancements: Improve faded colours, brightness and image appearance.
- Double-sided scanning: Capture handwritten notes, dates and messages on the backs of photographs.
- Windows and Mac compatibility: Use the free Epson software on a compatible computer.
- Document scanning: Digitise letters, paperwork, receipts and other suitable documents too.
It's particularly useful if you've got hundreds or thousands of photographs to work through.
Rather than spending weeks scanning individual prints, you could complete a large part of your collection over a weekend.
How Much Does Photo Scanner Rental Cost?
We believe hiring a photo scanner should be affordable and straightforward, without complicated pricing or unexpected extras.
At DIY Photo Scan, we offer four rental options.
3 Days
£85.95
Perfect for smaller collections
7 Days
£95.95
Great for family photo albums
14 Days
£125.95
Extra time for larger projects
30 Days
£165.95
For extensive photo archives
Free UK delivery and standard returns included
Check Availability & Book Your Scanner Prices shown are the published rental rates and may change. Check the booking page for current prices and any applicable regional charges.
Your rental starts on the day the scanner is delivered, giving you the agreed hire period to complete your project.
Whether you're scanning a few hundred photographs or working through decades of family memories, there's an option to suit your needs.
How Our Photo Scanner Rental Service Works
We've designed our rental process to be as easy as possible, even if you've never used a photo scanner before.
Step 1 – Book your scanner online
Choose your preferred rental period and complete your booking through our website. You'll receive confirmation of your order.
Step 2 – Receive your scanner
Your Epson FastFoto scanner is delivered with the power cable, USB cable, USB-C adapter, protective photo sleeve and setup instructions.
Step 3 – Start digitising your photos
Install the free Epson software, connect the scanner and begin scanning. Save your images directly to your computer, organise them into folders and enhance faded photographs.
Step 4 – Return the scanner
Pack everything securely into its original packaging and use the included DPD return service. You can also arrange an optional home collection for £12.
That's it. Your photographs are digitised, your original prints stay safely with you and the scanner goes back when your rental finishes.
Keep Your Precious Photographs at Home
One of the biggest advantages of renting a photo scanner is that you don't have to send your original photographs away.
Think about the photographs that matter most to you.
Perhaps they're pictures of your grandparents, your parents' wedding day, your children's first birthdays or family holidays from the 1970s and 1980s.
Some of those photographs might be the only copies in existence.
Understandably, the thought of putting them in a box and sending them through the post to a scanning company can feel uncomfortable.
When you rent a scanner from DIY Photo Scan, your original photographs stay in your possession throughout the process.
You control how they're handled, which photographs get scanned and where the digital files are saved.
It's a simple difference, but for many people, it's the main reason they choose to hire a scanner rather than use a postal scanning service.
How Long Does It Take to Scan 1,000 Photos?
This is one of the most common questions people ask when considering photo scanner rental.
The answer depends on the condition of your photographs, their sizes, your chosen resolution and how much preparation you've done beforehand.
The Epson FastFoto FF-680W can scan suitable standard photographs at approximately one photo per second at 300 dpi.
However, you'll also need to allow time for sorting, loading batches, checking scans and saving files.
Higher-resolution settings, fragile prints and additional organisation can increase the time required.
Often, the biggest job isn't actually scanning the photographs. It's getting them out of old albums, sorting them into groups and deciding how you'd like to organise them.
That's why many customers prefer a seven-day rental. It gives them enough flexibility to work through their collection without feeling rushed.
What Types of Photographs Can You Scan?
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The FastFoto is designed to handle a wide range of suitable printed photographs.
You can digitise standard family snapshots, school photographs, wedding pictures, holiday prints, black-and-white photographs and many other flat paper originals.
It's also useful for preserving handwritten notes on the backs of photographs, postcards and suitable documents.
What about fragile or damaged photographs?
Older photographs sometimes need extra care.
If your prints are curled, torn, brittle, heavily creased or have delicate surfaces, avoid putting them directly through the automatic feeder.
We include a protective scanning sleeve for suitable fragile photographs, but some originals may be better scanned using a flatbed scanner.
Photographs that are stuck together should never be forced apart or fed into the machine.
A little care beforehand helps protect the originals and makes the whole scanning experience smoother.
Can You Restore Faded Photographs While Scanning?
Over time, printed photographs can lose some of their original colour and vibrancy.
You might have pictures from the 1980s that have developed an orange or yellow tint, or old holiday photographs that look washed out.
The Epson FastFoto software includes automatic image enhancement tools designed to improve the appearance of scanned photographs.
Depending on the original, these can help with colour correction, brightness and red-eye removal.
You can also keep an unenhanced version alongside the improved image, so you don't lose the original appearance.
It's important to remember that automatic enhancement isn't the same as professional photo restoration. It won't necessarily repair missing sections, severe scratches or badly damaged images.
But for many ordinary faded family photographs, it can make a noticeable difference.
Photo Scanner Rental vs Professional Photo Scanning Services
There are two main ways to digitise a large collection of printed photographs: hire a scanner and do it yourself, or pay a company to scan them for you.
Both have advantages.
| Renting a photo scanner | Using a scanning service |
|---|---|
| Original photos stay at home | Originals may need posting |
| One rental fee for your hire period | Often charged per photograph |
| Scan at your own pace | Someone else does the scanning |
| Organise files as you go | Organisation depends on the service |
| Requires some of your time | Less hands-on work |
If you've only got a handful of photographs, a professional scanning service might be more convenient.
But if you've got several thousand prints, photo scanner rental can be a cost-effective alternative, particularly when you'd prefer to keep your photographs at home.
Who Is Photo Scanner Rental Ideal For?
Our rental service is suitable for all sorts of projects.
Families preserving old memories: Bring decades of family photographs together into one digital collection that can be shared with children, grandchildren and relatives.
People researching their family history: Digitise inherited photographs, handwritten notes and family records to support your genealogy research.
Wedding and anniversary projects: Collect photographs from different stages of someone's life and create a digital slideshow or personalised gift.
People clearing out their loft: Reduce the number of boxes filled with old photographs while keeping digital copies of the memories inside.
People organising inherited photo collections: Work through photographs from a loved one's home privately, carefully and at your own pace.
Whatever your reason, the aim is the same: to make those photographs easier to preserve, find and enjoy.
Tips for Getting the Best Results From Your Rental
Before your scanner arrives, it's worth spending a little time preparing your photographs.
Remove prints from albums where it's safe to do so, sort them into similar sizes and separate anything that's damaged or unusually delicate.
Make sure there are no staples, paper clips or sticky residue that could interfere with the scanner.
Once you start scanning, organise your digital photographs into clearly named folders. For example, you could use names such as Family Holidays 1985–1995, Mum and Dad's Wedding or Childhood Photographs.
You don't need to identify the exact date of every photograph. Even broad categories will make your digital collection easier to navigate later.
And don't forget to back up your finished scans.
Saving everything to your computer is a good first step, but it's sensible to keep an additional copy on an external hard drive or secure cloud storage service.
That way, your memories won't depend on a single device.
Frequently Asked Questions About Photo Scanner Rental
Can I rent a photo scanner in the UK?
Yes. DIY Photo Scan offers photo scanner rental with delivery across the UK. Standard delivery and returns are included in the advertised rental price, with any regional surcharges confirmed during booking.
Do I need to be good with computers?
Not at all. The Epson FastFoto is designed to be straightforward to use. We provide setup guidance, a video tutorial and support to help you get started. You'll need a compatible Windows or Mac computer.
Can I scan photos directly to my phone?
The normal scanning process uses Epson software on a Windows or Mac computer. Once your photographs are saved, you can transfer them to your phone or share them through your preferred cloud service.
Can I scan both sides of my photographs?
Yes. The FastFoto supports double-sided scanning, which is particularly helpful for preserving handwritten dates, names and messages on the backs of photographs.
Is seven days enough to scan thousands of photos?
For many people, yes. A seven-day rental gives you time to sort, scan and organise a substantial collection. If your photographs are stored across multiple albums or need extra preparation, a longer rental may be more comfortable.
What happens if I need the scanner for longer?
Contact DIY Photo Scan before your rental ends. Extensions may be available, subject to scanner availability and additional hire charges.
Do I need to buy scanning software?
No. The Epson FastFoto software is available to download free of charge. We'll provide guidance to help you install and use it.
Can I scan documents as well as photographs?
Yes. The scanner can also digitise suitable documents, letters and paperwork, including double-sided pages.
How do I return the scanner?
Simply repack the scanner securely and follow the supplied DPD return instructions. You can use the return label or QR code at an appropriate DPD drop-off point. An optional home collection service is available for £12.
Why Choose DIY Photo Scan?
At DIY Photo Scan, our focus is simple: helping people preserve their precious photographs without the expense of buying specialist equipment or the worry of sending original pictures away.
We specialise in renting the Epson FastFoto FF-680W, giving customers access to a fast, reliable photo scanner with flexible hire periods and straightforward delivery and returns.
Every rental includes the equipment and guidance you need to get started, plus friendly support if you need a helping hand along the way.
You don't need to be a professional photographer, understand complicated scanning settings or have any previous experience.
You just need your photographs, a compatible computer and a little time to enjoy rediscovering the memories you've collected over the years.
Ready to Digitise Your Old Photographs?
Those boxes of photographs in the loft contain more than just pictures.
They're family holidays, birthday celebrations, childhood adventures, wedding days and moments with people who might no longer be with us.
Digitising them means those memories can be enjoyed again, shared with the next generation and preserved as digital backups.
With our affordable photo scanner rental service, you can transform thousands of printed photographs into digital memories without spending a fortune on equipment.
And the best part? You can do it all from the comfort of your own home.
Give Your Old Photographs a New Lease of Life
Rent an Epson FastFoto scanner from DIY Photo Scan, with flexible hire periods, free standard UK delivery and returns, and helpful support.
Book Your Photo Scanner Rental