Archiving Scanner?
Hey All,
I help run a student-press at Harvard College, the Bow & Arrow, and we’ve been thinking recently about the pleasant possibility of scanning and archiving student-work online. We are a sort of free-for-all press, so it’s difficult to keep track of things.
In any case, we’ve got a Vandercook that can turn out pieces as large as 12x18, so I was wondering if anyone had thoughts as to the best way of scanning such large items. Most of the big stuff is 11x17, but what I’ve seen of flatbed scanners that size, they tend to be ‘professional’ and pricey. Despite our affiliation, I’m sorry to say we don’t receive much monetary love.
Sam
A scanner is not the only way to digitally store artwork. I’ve seen a number of set-ups using a high quality digital camera mounted on a copy stand. One advantage with such a system is that you can scale the image bigger or smaller, and take full advantage of the camera’s resolution. Modern digital cameras are great pieces of technology.
I second the copy stand idea. Just make sure you have adequate lighting. They also import faster than dealing with a scanner.
Hmmm…that might be a good call for us. Besides scanners that feed the paper through, I have not seen even a hint of such a large-bed scanner that is remotely affordable. I’m hoping to get a website up and running at the end of the year and then there will be a delightful parade of student work for all to coo at. Thanks for the thoughts!