It's All in the Scan
Scanning is a very important process in reproduction of images - especially large images.
We have the capabilities to reproduce that your image into a big, beautiful prints.
If you have original artwork or an old photo you can be assured that it will be handled with the utmost care.
 Our scanning capabilities include the following:
- 35mm slides
- 3 x 5, 4 x 6, 8 x 10, 8.5 x 11 Photos
- 4 x 5, 8 x 10 Photos or Transparencies
- Prints up to 11" x 17" wide
Are You Going to Scan Your Own Images?
Below are guidelines to follow when scanning your own pictures.
The scanned images you use in your document for printing should be:
a minimum of 120 dpi at the final output size.
or
a maximum of 200 dpi at the final output size.
Example:
Your original item to scan is a 3" x 5" photo
On your final print the photo size will be 12" x 20" - 12"x 20" is the final output size
This means your photo will be blown up 4 times (12/3 = 4, 20/5 = 4) or 400% on the printed piece.
(Remember, the image needs to be a minimum 120 dpi at the 12" x 20" size. )
Since you are scaling the original 3" x 5" photo up 400% (3 x 4 = 12, 5 x 4 = 20), you should scan the 3"x 5" photo at 4 x 120 or 480.
- 120 dpi (minimum dpi we need) x 4 (amount we are enlarging the image) = 480 dpi.
If you are using a section or crop of the image, then you need to do the same math above on just the cropped section.
I Already Have a Scan of an Image.
How do I Know if it Will be Good Enough?
As you scale an image up in size by a certain percentage, the original dpi of that image will decrease by the same percentage.
Example:
You have a 3" x 5" image at 300 dpi. -You can check this in Photoshop by selecting Image, Image Size...
You want to use it at 12" x 20". - we need a minimum of 120 dpi at 12" x 20"
The image will be enlarged 4 times. (12/3 = 4, 20/5 = 4)
Divide your images current dpi by 4. 300/4 = 75.
At 400% your image would be 75 dpi.
In this case your image will not be high enough quality. You could use it smaller or get a better quality scan.
NOTE: Increasing the resolution of an image in Photoshop or other programs does not make it a higher quality image. All this does is duplicate pixels and soften the image
Compare the high quality scan (below, left) with the inferior image (below, right) in which the original 72 dpi image resolution was increased to 300 dpi using Photoshop.
 
If you really want to delve into scanning, Wayne Fulton's site on proper scanning is a good read. It can be found at www.scantips.com.
If you have any other questions images you have or need scanned, contacts us at
847-428-5990.
or use the Got Questions button below. We're here to help you get the best possible image..
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