Upload Best Practices

Tips for preparing your photos for digitization and ensuring the best results

Supported File Formats

BragBin accepts the following image formats for upload:

JPEG / JPG

Most common format. Best for photos. Recommended for most uploads.

PNG

Good for images with transparency or text. Larger file sizes.

GIF

Supported but not recommended for photos. Better for graphics.

WebP

Modern format with good compression. Supported by most browsers.

File Size Limits

Per File: Maximum 10MB per photo

Per Batch: Maximum 50 files per batch, 500MB total size

Why These Limits?

  • 10MB per file: Ensures reasonable upload times and processing efficiency
  • 50 files per batch: Keeps batches manageable for processing and organization
  • 500MB total: Prevents timeouts and ensures reliable uploads

If Your Files Are Too Large

  • Compress images: Use image editing software to reduce file size while maintaining quality
  • Reduce resolution: For very high-resolution photos, consider reducing to 300 DPI (sufficient for most uses)
  • Split into multiple batches: Upload in smaller groups if you have many large files

Image Quality Tips

Before Uploading

  • Check orientation: Rotate photos to correct orientation before uploading
  • Clean photos: Remove dust, fingerprints, or smudges from physical photos before scanning
  • Flat photos: Ensure photos are flat (not curled or bent) for best scan quality
  • Good lighting: If scanning yourself, use even lighting to avoid shadows and glare

Resolution Recommendations

Standard Photos (3x5, 4x6, 5x7): 300 DPI minimum, 600 DPI for high quality

Larger Prints (8x10, 11x14): 300 DPI is sufficient for most uses

Small Photos (wallet size): 600+ DPI recommended to capture detail

Organization Tips

File Naming

Use descriptive file names to make it easier to find and organize your photos:

Good examples:

  • 2024-01-15-Family-Reunion-001.jpg
  • Grandma-Birthday-1985.jpg
  • Vacation-Hawaii-2023-001.jpg

Avoid:

  • IMG_1234.jpg
  • photo.jpg
  • scan001.jpg

Batch Organization

  • Group by event or date: Upload photos from the same event or time period together
  • Keep batches under 50 files: Split large collections into multiple batches
  • Review before uploading: Check that all files are correct and properly oriented

Upload Process

Step-by-Step Upload

  1. 1Log in to your dashboard and navigate to the Upload page
  2. 2Select files by clicking "Choose Files" or dragging and dropping photos
  3. 3Review your selection - check file names, preview images, remove any unwanted files
  4. 4Click "Upload" and wait for the upload to complete (progress bar shows status)
  5. 5Track your job in the Jobs section - you'll receive email notifications when processing is complete

Tip: Upload during off-peak hours (evenings/weekends) for faster upload speeds if you have many large files.

Common Upload Issues

Upload Fails or Times Out

  • • Check your internet connection
  • • Try uploading fewer files at once
  • • Compress large files before uploading
  • • Try again during off-peak hours

File Type Not Supported

  • • Convert to JPEG or PNG format
  • • Check file extension matches the format
  • • Ensure file is a valid image (not corrupted)

File Too Large

  • • Compress the image using image editing software
  • • Reduce resolution (300 DPI is usually sufficient)
  • • Convert to JPEG format (smaller than PNG)

Related Resources

Back to ResourcesStart Uploading