How to Create a Photo Scan Effect in Photoshop

Photoshop Photo Effects

Creating a photo scan effect in Photoshop is easier and faster than you might think. In just a few steps, you can transform any image into the look of a scanned photograph, capturing the charm of textures and imperfections of digitized images from the 90s and 2000s. This effect is perfect for adding a nostalgic or vintage touch to your projects, creating illustrations with a retro feel, or even designing album covers and posters with a unique aesthetic. Today, I will show you how to create this effect in Photoshop using the Motion Blur effect, the Filter Gallery, and two adjustment layers to make the image look exactly how you want.

Step 1

Open your image in Photoshop.

Step 2

With the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) make a selection on any area of your image.

Step 3

With the selection active, go to Edit > Copy and then to Edit > Paste Special > Paste in Place.

Step 4

With your new layer active, go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. Apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 5

Now go to Filter > Filter Gallery.

Step 6

Open the "Texture" folder, select the "Grain" effect, apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 7

In the Layers Panel, select both layers and go to Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object.

Step 8

Again, go to Filter > Filter Gallery.

Step 9

Open the "Texture" folder, select the "Grain" effect and apply the following settings.

Step 10

Click on the "New Effect layer" icon to add a new effect.

Step 11

Open the "Sketch" folder, select the "Halftone Pattern" effect, apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 12

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast. Decrease the Brightness and Contrast according to your image preferences and click OK.

Step 13

Lastly, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Threshold and adjust the Threshold level to your liking.