Removing Dust and Scratches

The dust filter usually softens the whole image and still misses the biggest chunks of dirt. This trick solves both problems, and it's faster than using the rubber stamp tool. With this trick we apply a much heavier dirt filter to cover even the big chunks, but we only apply it to the dirty parts of the image so it doesn't affect the sharpness or small details.

1.) Make a duplicate layer of your original. (Drag the BACKGROUND layer over the new layer icon on the bottom of the layers pallet.)

2.) Unclick the eyeball next to the top layer and select the bottom layer. This way we can see what we're going to do to the bottom layer.

3.) Apply a heavy dust and scratch filter to the bottom layer. (FILTER > NOISE > DUST AND SCRATCHES.) Don't worry about losing detail, just make sure it's set strong enough to cover the biggest defects.

4.) Reclick the eyeball next to the top layer and select the top layer. Your image now looks like it did to start.

5.) Use the eraser tool to cut through the sharp top layer to expose the filtered layer below in the spots with dirt. A more advanced way to do the same thing is to use a layer mask.

This way you can spot out the dirt quickly and not affect anything else

Median Filter

Also, adjust the image screen resolution at various stage of above. This will also help. Because we make signs, the time at which we adjust resolution for signage output varies dependant on the original quality of image supplied. Using this method we have created great graphics onto large signs with no adverse visual result.