Questions:
  • What will the scanned image be used for??

    • web, print
     
  • What resources for storing images are available? 

    • floppy, zip, jaz, hard drive
    (Will I have to transport this image?? If so,how??)
     
  • Will this image require long term storage?? 
Try to scan with the intention of "touching up" later 
  • Always go from higher quality to lower quality 
  • Leave room around image - crop later 

    •  
  • Use Graphics Applications for qualitative changes 
    • Sharpening filters 
    • Despeckle
    • Cropping 
    • Color balance

      •  
Scanning line art images for the Web
  • Grayscale - 8 bit (256 values from black to white)

    •  
  • use screen resolution (72 dpi) 

    •  
  • Make sure your image is straight on the scanning bed

    •  
  • Take advantage of Photoshop filters for sharpening, contrast, etc


Scanning photographic images for Web
  • RGB - 16 or 32 bit or Grayscale 

    •  
  • Do not scan directly as 8 bit color

    •  
  • scan at screen resolution (72/75dpi) or higher

    •  
  • Try not to make extreme quality changes using scanning sofware
Scanning photographic images that need to be edited
  • Scan at high resolution and color depth 
    • 150 -300 dpi 
    • 16-30 bit
    • better for making qualitative changes 

      •  
  • Save with a "Loss-less" compression 
    • TIF file - LZW
    • Photoshop
  • Take advantage of Photoshop filters for sharpening, contrast, etc 
      •  
       
Scanning photographic images for archives
  • Scan at high resolution and color depth 
    • 300 dpi  - 600dpi
    • 16-30 bit
       
  • Save with a "Loss-less" compression 
    • TIF file - LZW
    • Photoshop


  • If JPEG compression is necessary, save with least amount

    •  
File for mat suggestions
  • TIFF (LZW compression) 
    • if any image editing is necessary
    • good for line art and grayscale 
    • images with large color areas
    • won't degrade the image in case editing is required

  • JPEG (JPEG compression) 
    • Web photo
    • RGB color 
    • OK for grayscale also
    • If JPEG is needed for size reduction before editing:
      • use low amount of compression before editing

        • "Excellent" image quality
      • use more compression when finished

        • "Excellent" to "Medium" image quality

 
 

 

  

Last revision November 11, 1998