Tool Talk

Catalog Forum => Catalog Forum => Topic started by: B17E1943 on February 26, 2012, 05:47:13 PM

Title: Size to scan catalogs at
Post by: B17E1943 on February 26, 2012, 05:47:13 PM
I'm wondering what the best compromise between quality and size is for scanning catalogs? 300 or 600 DPI, or? Seems like 1200 is WAY too big, and it magnifies imperfections too much.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Size to scan catalogs at
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on February 26, 2012, 06:07:40 PM
No one has grumbled at mine that were scanned at 300 dpi. I reduce the scan size to 1100 pixels wide because it is just a little bigger than full screen size and the fine print does not get lost. Maybe Papaw and LG should weigh in on this one, they've been at it longer than I have.
Title: Re: Size to scan catalogs at
Post by: Papaw on February 26, 2012, 06:28:39 PM
I think 600 is enough.
Title: Re: Size to scan catalogs at
Post by: lbgradwell on February 26, 2012, 07:21:31 PM
150dpi has been working well.

For instance, the 1952 MAC catalogue and the 1954 Walden catalogue I recently posted were scanned by Eric at 150dpi. If higher, I often have to do a lot of photo editing to reduce the size before compiling a PDF...
Title: Re: Size to scan catalogs at
Post by: rusty on February 26, 2012, 08:05:15 PM

It is going to depend how large the catalog is too, a small 3x5 catalog should be scanned higher..

The 'theoretical' resoloution of the screen is 72DPI , so anything over that should be readable at least. (720 pixels on a 10 inch wide screen...))
pdf (really JPEG) compression is going to throw a lot away above 300 dpi regardless, unless you make gigantic PDF's..

Title: Re: Size to scan catalogs at
Post by: Fins/413 on February 27, 2012, 07:34:43 AM
I scanned one at 300 dpi and the files were huge, I used 150 dpi on the Mac and Walden I did and I think they are a good comprimise.
Title: Re: Size to scan catalogs at
Post by: B17E1943 on February 28, 2012, 12:50:24 AM
Sounds like 150-300 DPI is the ticket. Thanks, everyone - I appreciate it.