1. What is Dust Bunny?
Dust Bunny is an all-round digital archiving service, based in a studio in London.
2. I am not sure what I need, can you still help?
Let’s see!
I am always happy to talk through what you might need and will tell you directly whether this is something I can help with. I have worked for institutions, studios as well as individuals who just want to digitise their photo albums or catalogue their record collection.
If you would like a consultation report following our conversation and decide not to move forward, this is charged at £150. Should you wish to move forward, this fee will be refunded.
3. How long will it take to complete my project?
This is a tricky one.
It totally depends on the scale and type of project, but as a general guide:
If you need a tighter turnaround time, you can book a rush job for an additional price. An estimated completion time will be agreed ahead of starting work.
4. What do you do with all the digital files?
My first priority is the security of your files.
This means both that you are able to access them (that they are delivered to you), and that they are confidential. All files are deleted 1 month after completion of the project unless you elect to host a backup with us.
All work is GDPR compliant. Personal data (including images) is never shared with third parties, and I can provide a written data-handling summary on request.
5. How do you handle sensitive/personal documents or files?
Before starting a project, we both sign a confidentiality agreement.
Your material is stored securely, and your digital files are deleted 1 month after the completion of the project, unless you choose an additional secure back-up, hosted by Dust Bunny. There is no judgement, and any sensitive material is handled with absolute discretion and care. Personal data (including images) is never shared with third parties, and I can provide a written data-handling summary on request.
Your material is never AI-treated without your consent.
6. Do I need to prep anything first?
It is helpful for you to consider your desired timeframe, budget and ideal outcomes before we have our consultation. That will ensure any suggested plan of action or quote is accurate and reasonable.
1. How much will my project cost?
Each project is tailored to your specific requirements, and therefore prices do vary, and the best way to get an accurate quote is to book a free consultation.
Projects are charged as a package fee, however, as a rough guide:
For digitisation:
Photo/print scan: £0.40 per photo
Slide/negative scan: £0.90 per frame
VHS/Mini DV: £12-£18 per tape, depending on length
Audio cassette/reel-to-reel: £10-£20 per tape, depending on length
Extras:
Discovery/consultation: £150, refunded should you go ahead.
Dust Bunny secure backup: £10 per month, increasing depending on size needed.
Rush/priority turnaround: +15-20% surcharge, dependent on turnaround time
Restoration per damaged item: £8-£15, depending on extent of damage.
After a free consultation, I'll share a fee package with you. To begin work, I require a 50% deposit upon receipt of the invoice. We can then agree on a payment plan for the remaining balance that suits you.
If you would like to commission a consultation report and not move ahead, this is charged at £150.
Any quote given will include a detailed breakdown of costs and projected hours. Generally, price is agreed per project; however, in some circumstances - for example, for a digital archive refresh - it may be preferable to consider an hourly rate.
2. I need things done quickly, can I pay extra for a rush service?
Yes - rush service can be added for a 15 - 20% surcharge, depending on the turnaround time.
3. Do you offer volume discounts?
Yes - these are offered by project, not by unit.
10% above £250, 15% above £500, 20% above £750, 30% above £1,000.
Digitisation:
1. I am not sure whether my media can be saved; what do I do?
Contact me - I will tell you realistically whether this is something I can do well without damaging the media. I will not attempt to digitise something in bad condition if I think it will destroy the item.
2. What formats can you digitise?
Photos, prints, and photo albums; 35mm and medium-format slides and negatives; VHS, MiniDV; audio cassettes and reel-to-reel tape.
3. Will I get my original photos, tapes, and film back?
Yes, always. Depending on the volume, location and sensitivity of the collection, this can be delivered to you or collected from the studio in London. When items are posted, they are securely packaged in bump-proof boxes and sent with a tracked, reliable courier. Every box gets QR tracking so you can follow it in real time.
4. How can I be sure my physical material is safe?
Almost all digitisation is done in-house at my studio in London. Every item is logged in on intake with a condition check, stored in secure, lockable, fire-resistant storage in the studio, and handled using archival-safe equipment (nitrile gloves, anti-static tools, acid-free sleeves). Dust Bunny is fully insured, so your items are protected financially as well as physically.
Some collections are best digitised in person; this is something we can agree between us if appropriate.
4. What if an item is damaged, blank, or unplayable?
I'll tell you before I charge for it. If a tape turns out to be blank or a print is too damaged to scan usefully, I flag it and only charge for items I've actually been able to convert.
5. What resolution/quality do I get?
Photos and documents are scanned at a minimum of 600 DPI, with higher resolution available for enlargements or professional use. Slides and negatives are scanned at up to 4,000+ DPI. Video and audio are captured and delivered in the highest quality your original format supports.
6. How do I receive the files?
You choose: a secure cloud album you can share with family, a USB drive, an external hard drive for larger collections, or DVD. You can select more than one option if you'd like both a backup copy and something easy to share.
7. Do you restore or enhance damaged and faded images?
Basic dust and light colour correction is included as standard. More involved restoration (repairing tears, significant fading, or water damage) is quoted separately per image, and I'll always show you a sample before committing to a full batch so there are no surprises.
Same goes for audio/video.
Digital Archiving:
1. My files are spread across multiple storage locations; can you help?
Yes - the first step is the consolidation of media across different storage devices and cloud services. Duplicates are deleted, and files are organised in the way that you want.
2. What system do you use to organise my media?
This is totally up to you, and we will agree what works at various stages. The needs of a studio or organisation is usually different to a personal collection and each system will be tailored to your needs and future use.
3. Do you do digital maintenance?
Yes - some clients want a periodic ‘refresh’. The regularity can be agreed upon completion of the project.
Did I miss anything? Contact me!