# Grainy: Make PDF Look Scanned — Realistic scan effects

> Applies realistic scan and aging effects to digital documents and images. (iPhone/iPad app by SuperTool.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grainy-make-pdf-look-scanned/id6759066908 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [SuperTool](https://appshunter.io/developer/1876613434)
- Category: Productivity, Graphics & Design
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 11 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-02-18
- Data updated: 2026-06-27
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grainy-make-pdf-look-scanned/id6759066908/reviews.md

## What is Grainy?

Grainy makes clean digital documents look printed, signed, and scanned — without needing a printer or scanner.

It adds realistic imperfections like noise, texture, slight rotation, and subtle aging so your PDFs and images feel physical instead of pristine.

Grainy focuses on appearance. It’s designed for situations where documents are expected to look scanned, even when they start digitally. Awesome art has a little grain, a little grunge, and looks properly aged!

What Grainy Does

Grainy simulates real-world print-and-scan artifacts, including:

- Scanner-style noise and grain
- Subtle rotation and misalignment
- Paper texture and shading
- Grayscale or low-fi scanned looks
- Optional aging and wear effects

The result looks like a document that’s been handled and scanned — not a perfect digital export.

Common Uses

Grainy is useful when you need to:

- Make a PDF look printed and scanned
- Add a realistic “wet document” feel
- Submit paperwork that expects scanned files
- Avoid unnecessary printing and rescanning
- Create aged or distressed document aesthetics

Grainy does not replace a scanner. It recreates the look of one.

How It Works

1. Import a PDF or image
2. Adjust the scan effect until it looks right
3. Add a signature, date or mark if needed
4. Export your finished document (send via email or save to device and upload as needed)

You can preview and fine-tune the look before exporting.

File Size & Quality

Exports are optimized to balance:

- Readability
- Realistic scanned appearance
- Reasonable file sizes for emailing and uploads

Privacy & Files

- Processing of files is done on your device
- Files are used only to provide the requested processing
- Files are not manually reviewed

Subscription

Some features require a subscription:

- Unlimited exports
- Cancel anytime

Subscriptions are handled securely by Apple and can be managed through your App Store account.

About

Grainy is built by Ambitious Analytics Labs, creators of practical tools for working with PDFs and images.

Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Realistic scan effects
- Adds noise, texture, and rotation
- Simulates aging and wear
- Grayscale and low-fi looks
- Signature and mark addition
- On-device file processing
- Optimized export quality

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grainy Pro – Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Grainy Pro – Annual | $12.99 | per year |


## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grainy-make-pdf-look-scanned/id6759066908/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Worked for me

*2026-03-03*

Had a pdf form that needed a “wet” signature, but I didn’t have access to a printer. This app did the trick to make it look printed, signed and scanned.

### 5/5 — An alternative to printing, signing, and scanning

*2026-02-23*

Some ridiculous big corporation said I had to print, sign, and scan. But I didn’t have a printer that worked. So I made it look like I printed and scanned. It works.

## Frequently asked questions about Grainy

### What is Grainy?

Grainy is a productivity app that adds realistic scan and aging effects to digital PDFs and images. It simulates imperfections like noise, texture, and slight rotation to make documents look physically handled and scanned, without needing a physical scanner or printer.

### How does Grainy work?

You import a PDF or image into Grainy, adjust the scan effects to achieve the desired look, optionally add a signature or mark, and then export the finished document. The processing is done entirely on your device.

### Does Grainy replace a scanner?

No, Grainy does not replace a physical scanner. Instead, it recreates the visual appearance of a document that has been printed and scanned, adding realistic imperfections.

### What kind of scan effects does Grainy offer?

Grainy offers scanner-style noise and grain, subtle rotation and misalignment, paper texture and shading, grayscale or low-fi scanned looks, and optional aging and wear effects.

### Is Grainy free to use?

Grainy is free to download and use, but some features, such as unlimited exports, require a subscription. Subscriptions are managed securely through your App Store account.

### Does Grainy have ads?

No, Grainy does not contain advertisements. The app is ad-free, with certain advanced features unlocked via a subscription.

### Is my data safe with Grainy?

Yes, Grainy prioritizes user privacy. All file processing is done on your device, and your files are used solely for the requested processing without manual review.

### What devices is Grainy available on?

Grainy is available on iPhone and iPad devices. The app is designed for mobile use and is compatible with Apple's tablet and smartphone operating systems.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0 — 2026-02-19

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-27.*