ABSTRACT
A digital scanner is the critical link between the traditional and digital environment. Not all scanners are created equal. Even the best scanners will not capture the entire range of values and colors present in an original piece of artwork, but they will come much closer than inferior ones. A scanner’s fidelity becomes most apparent when scanning very light or dark colors or values. Scanners lacking the ability to differentiate between subtly nuanced values will produce scans with exaggerated contrast; light grays turn white and dark grays turn black. The same thing also happens to colors; subtle variations become one continuous color. Presently the best scanners are flatbed models. Although roller scanners can accommodate larger originals, their fidelity to nuanced color and values is not equal to what the best flatbed scanners can provide. Roller scanners also cannot handle originals created on thicker paper or board. On the other hand, the disadvantage with flatbed scanners is size. While there a few scanners presently available with larger scanning beds, most are limited to about 11” × 17” or smaller. Many illustrators now consciously work on smaller originals, in part so that they can scan their own work. With some very large originals, neither roller nor flatbed scanners are practical. The only alternative is to enlist the services of a photo studio that is equipped to photograph flat artwork. Using anything other than professional equipment will only yield unsatisfactory results.
