User`s guide

Basic Concepts E-7
Getting the Best Results
Scanning is an easy process: You simply put the image to be scanned on your
scanner, run your scanning software, and click on the Scan button. The image is
then delivered to your image-editing software, where it can be stored as a file.
For you to get the best results from your scans, however, it helps to be aware of
variables that affect the quality of your scanning. This section discusses some of
the most important factors affecting scanning, including the following:
• Resolution
• Image Correction
• Color calibration
• File formats
• File storage and requirements
• Selecting your printing method
Resolution
Resolution determines the level of detail recorded by the scanner, and is
measured in pixels per inch (ppi). The greater the ppi number, the higher the
resolution and the resulting file size. Image quality improves with higher
resolution, but only up to a certain point, after which increasing resolution
simply makes file sizes unmanageable without yielding any visible improvement
to the image. For most applications, scans of up to 300 ppi are adequate.
When dealing with resolution, it's important to distinguish between optical, or
true, resolution, and interpolated resolution, which is resolution enhanced
through software.
• Optical resolution is the key factor in determining the sharpness and clarity
of an image.
• Interpolated resolution, or resolution enhanced through software, is useful
for certain tasks, such as scanning line art or enlarging small originals.