How To Get The Best Possible Scanned Image

Images From Your Scanner

Now this is where the time taken to scan an image correctly can make a big difference in the quality of your finished Memorial Portrait. Here are a few suggestions that will help you prepare the best image possible for your family:

Sizing Your Scan

First things first! - Determine the Scanner Enlargement Percentage

Before you put the photograph on the scanner bed do the following in preparation to make the perfect scan:

Measure the vertical (up and down direction) portion of the image that you intend to be reproduced.
Then take that measurement in inches and divide it into the vertical height of the Memorial Portrait that you are ordering.
(For example: You want to include approximately two inches of image vertically in the Portrait and you are ordering a 5 by 7 oval Memorial Portrait (Our #0) in the standard vertical orientation. Let's do the math – 7 inches tall portrait divided by approximately 2 inches of vertical subject to be included = 3.5, then multiply the result by 100 (3.5 x 100) – your answer is 350 or a 350% scanning size.)
Now when you set the image on your scanner and after you have taken the preview scan, you should set your scanner to scan the entire photograph at 350% of the photo's original size. Your scanner is now doing the sizing for you and will provide the absolute best image quality when sizing is concerned.

Other Very Important Points:

• Always start with a clean and dry scanner bed.
• Scan the image at 300 dots per inch (dpi) - Not 72 dpi!
• Please scan the entire photo – even though you know we won't use the entire image.

Saving Your Scan

You have a choice on how to save your scan.

Saving your Scan for E-Mail

A scan must retain as much quality as possible while at the same time be compressed enough to be sent by E-Mail or uploaded to our server. So, that means that you will save your scan as a JPEG file type. This type of file travels real well in E-Mail and reduces the file size to make it happen. Remember to choose the HIGHEST quality level – typically 12.

The SAVE steps are as follows:

1. Within your scanning program or photo editor, chose "Save As"
2. Name your file
3. Chose the location where to save your file
4. Choose File Format or Type and select JPEG
5. Choose SAVE or hit ENTER
6. Choose JPEG Image Quality - 12 (Highest or Maximum) - Format options? "Baseline Optimized" is best.
7. Choose OKAY or SAVE.

A quick note on naming your file: Name your file with the family name corresponding to your order such as “jones” or “jones1674” where 1674 is the file or customer number that you typically include on our order forms.

Saving your Scan to be put on a CD or USB Flash Drive

In this case, size doesn't matter! And quality may be slightly better - but with our process, we can turn out great quality from any format.

The SAVE steps for CD or USB Drives are as follows:

1. Within your scanning program or photo editor, chose "Save As"
2. Name your file
3. Chose the location where to save your file
4. Choose File Format or Type and select TIFF or PSD (Photoshop Format). No compression is needed.
5. Choose SAVE or hit ENTER

Now prepare a CD and write the file to it or copy the file to a blank USB Flash Drive. Always test your media to ensure the file has been transferred. We have received blank disks and blank USB Flash Drives in the past!

Questions on Scanning - call Scott Neal at 866.960.9207.

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