High-quality scanning is the foundation of every successful digital collection

Our team specialises in overseeing the digitisation of newspapers, books, journals, photographs, maps, microfilm, personal papers, and other historical materials, helping organisations capture collections correctly and prepare them for long-term access and preservation.

What we mean by scanning

Scanning is the process that converts original collection materials into high-resolution digital master images, typically uncompressed TIFFs. These images form the foundation for OCR, metadata creation, and every stage that follows — ultimately determining how successfully collections can be searched, discovered, and experienced online.

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Ensuring high-quality scanning from the start

Getting the scanning stage right is critical, particularly for complex historical materials such as newspapers, where large formats, dense text, and variable source quality can introduce challenges that affect every stage that follows.

We simplify this complexity by combining more than 20 years of digital collections expertise with trusted, quality-assured scanning partners. Our team oversees the scanning process on your behalf to ensure collections are captured accurately, consistently, and ready for the next stages of the digitisation journey.


How we support the scanning phase

We work closely with libraries and historical preservation organisations to:

  • Assess source materials and project goals to define the most appropriate scanning approach.
  • Establish clear technical specifications and quality standards before scanning begins.
  • Ensure consistent outputs across a wide range of source materials, including fragile originals and microfilm.
  • Reduce project risk and create a strong foundation for every stage that follows.

This approach helps avoid common pitfalls and ensures the resulting images are well suited for OCR, online access, and discovery.

Scanning Service
Scanning_Service

Careful handling of source material

We understand that many historic collections are fragile or irreplaceable. Veridian works with experienced, quality-assured scanning partners who follow established handling, security, and environmental practices to ensure original materials are treated with care throughout the scanning process.

Cost of scanning

Scanning costs are typically calculated per page and vary depending on source material, project complexity, and overall volume. Larger projects can often benefit from economies of scale, helping reduce the cost per page.

Looking for guidance on
scanning your collection?