Black & White or 1-bit mode scans are smaller files that look more like the original image. The right resolution and manipulating the image while scanning instead of after reduces rough edges or jaggies of scanned black & white line art.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Usually just a few minutes per scan
Here's How:
- Prepare for scanning.
Turn on your scanner and place your image on the glass of your flatbed scanner. Open your Scanning software. - Rotate your image.
Rotate the image on the scanner to the angle you want for the final scan. - Set scanning mode.
Set the scanning mode or image type to 1-bit or Black & White. - Set the scanning resolution.
Set the resolution to that of your output device (300 or 600 dpi for most desktop printers; 75 dpi for faxes). - Select the area to scan.
Select the scanning area (size of the page or area of the page you want to scan). - Scale your image.
Select a scaling amount if you want to resize the image (50%, 125%, etc.) during scanning. - Preview your scan.
Preview your scan if that option is available. When scanning multiple images using the same settings you can skip the preview. If necessary, adjust settings or placement of image before doing the actual scan. - Scan and save your image.
Save your scan as a TIF, PCX, or other available format that is suitable for your word processing, graphics, or page layout program.
Tips:
- Do most of the image manipulation before scanning.
Steps 2, 4, and 6 are the secrets to getting good scans in 1-bit mode. Rotating or resizing in another program will usually result in jagged 'bitmap' edges and poorer quality. - Grayscale mode may work better when there are many unknown variables.
Scan line art in grayscale mode when you have no idea about the final output device resolution, size, or how the image might be rotated. Such scans will probably require further manipulation in a graphics program.
What You Need:
- Image to Scan
- Flatbed Scanner
- Scanning Software
