Begin the process of buying high quality flatbed scanners by first performing a simple needs assessment. Consider the following when determining which features to purchase.
Determine first what you are willing to pay and which features are most important to you. This will help in comparing models and will give you an idea of which features are must-have versus really-wants.
Most flatbed scanners have no trouble scanning documents or photographs. Most can scan negatives though an adaptor may be required. If you need the ability to scan three-dimensional objects, there are scanners that can deliver that as well. What you will be able to scan will be limited by the size of the scanner bed. Be aware that some manufacturers produce beds that measure in feet, so size need not be a limiting factor.
Resolution is what separates high quality flatbed scanners from those of lesser quality. Resolution is the term used to describe the amount of digital information the scanner is able to record about the image being scanned. The higher the resolution, the more information captured. Resolution is directly related to output quality, so find the highest resolution available within budget. Professional shops tend to scan at 4800 dpi for highest quality jobs. Color depth and dynamic optical range are also measures of information obtained by the scanner.
The amount of output that can be accomplished in a given time is directly related to the speed of the scanner. Of course, the more information that the scanner acquires the slower the process will be. Most spec sheets will assess speed in ipm (images per minute) or ppm (pages per minute).
Before purchasing, check the basics to make sure the new high quality flatbed scanner will work with existing equipment. Check the connection interface. USB is very common, but do not assume that it is standard. Platform compatibility should be considered. Consider whether all the software needed is bundled with the equipment. Look to see if image-editing software, color calibration and driver software are included.
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