Transforming how information is shared and stored, scanning documents and images into digital format - has changed the entire world of document management. While scanners continue to enhance in quality, there are several actions you can take to ensure optimal scanning results. Keep reading for valuable tips for scanning high-quality documents.
Tips for Scanning Documents and Images
It’s worth starting with the question of how to make document scans because the direction of further text will depend on this. You can scan documents using a desktop scanner. It works well but is outdated. As for the alternative, this is the best PDF scanner for a smartphone. Here's a good example - PDF Scanner App: Scan Docs, ID Download, it has everything you need. Using a smartphone, you can scan docs IDs, and various documents, even those with non-standard design. It all depends greatly on whether you are using a PDF scanner app or a desktop scanner. We will talk specifically about mobile scanners. Just try this method to compare the results.
1 Provide good lighting
To achieve optimal results when using FineReader for iOS to photograph documents with your phone, ensure you have abundant and evenly distributed light. Note that taking snapshots at night or in a car with documents placed in your lap will likely yield unsatisfactory results. Even the most intelligent technology cannot capture text that is barely legible to the naked eye.
2 Hold your breath
Blurry photos often result from dark environments as the camera keeps the shutter open until sufficient light reaches the sensor. Camera movements, no matter how slight, can lead to blurring, even with a steady hand.
For cameras without optical image stabilization, adopt accurate shooting techniques: ensure a firm grip, hold your breath, and gently press the shutter release button. When capturing multiple shots, consider using a flexible clamp mount, as it has proven effective in our own experiences.
3 Use a contrasting background
Your mobile camera may try to bring the background into focus, even when it's not the subject. For optimal results, place your documents on a uniform background and minimize the presence of other objects in the viewfinder. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid using white backgrounds.
4 Explore camera specifications and options
When considering using your smartphone as a portable scanner, carefully examine its camera specifications. To get sharp images, you need to learn the technical capabilities of the camera. It’s also worth thinking about basic settings: white balance, no distortion of object boundaries, and various operating modes. Generally speaking, smartphones generally have superior cameras compared to tablets.
5 Find the best angle
Ensure that when shooting at an angle instead of directly above the document, the angle is not excessively steep to avoid potential limitations with the image correction algorithms.
Although the trapezoid correction mechanism can offer significant benefits, it cannot completely restore the document to its original rectangular shape when capturing it from a horizontal angle.
6 Avoid highlights and shadows
In our first tip, we emphasized the importance of lighting. It is crucial to ensure even distribution of light across the document. Utilizing the smartphone flash can assist, but be mindful of shadows and glares.
When scanning glossy paper, adjust the smartphone camera to avoid direct reflection of the flash on the document. Remember that your arms can create shadows as well. In this scenario, repositioning the camera, changing rooms, or adding a light source may be necessary.
7 Adjust focus
Digital cameras utilize specialized technology to determine the distance to the subject, resulting in potential focus on unintended objects. Adequate lighting and high-contrast elements are necessary for optimal camera performance.
Assist your mobile camera by directing the lens towards a high-contrast area (such as black and white). Take your time to allow the camera to focus on the text instead of hurriedly capturing images.
8 Resolution and grayscale
Documents and images in grayscale lack color and instead utilize black gradients to form the image. To scan grayscale images, it is recommended to use a .PNG format with a resolution of at least 600 DPI. For grayscale documents, saving them as a .PDF file between 300 to 600 DPI is advisable. When optimizing files for web use, converting them to a .GIF format can help reduce the file size.
9 Halftone
Small dots come together to form halftone images, which were a reprographic technique predating modern printing. Scanning halftone images at a DPI of 1200 or higher ensures accurate capture. Since halftones consist of dots, the system needs to process them correctly. Save halftones as .PNG files.
10 Consider the colors
Scanning color images and documents are prevalent. While 600 DPI is recommended for color photographs, scanning at 1200 DPI guarantees archival quality. Beyond 1200 DPI is unnecessary. For web scanning, 300 DPI suffices. Saving color photos as .PNG format is advisable. As for color documents, scanning at 300 DPI and saving as .PDF is recommended.
Final Thoughts
While a lot depends on the document scanner you choose, there are many aspects you can improve yourself. This includes lighting, camera settings, correct positioning, etc. Use these 10 tips to ensure all your scans are of the best quality.