Adobe Illustrator - Question about scanning services

Author

Question about scanning services

plabord

2006-05-07, 6:17 pm

This question has probably been asked and answered a million times, but
I can't find a good instance in my search through Google groups. I have
several 6"x9" pen and ink drawings that I want to get scanned into JPG
files. I used to do stuff like this at home with my scanner without
thinking twice about it, but I no longer have access to this equipment
and now have to find a commercial way to get it done. So far everybody
I have talked to has quoted me $10 per scan or more. To me these prices
are so spectacularly ridiculous that I wonder if the person I am
talking to and I are on the same wavelength. The question is: is there
a reasonably-priced scanning service out there (I'm in Richmond,
Virginia, USA)? Or is this highway robbery the normal thing in the
commercial image-scanning world?

PL

iehsmith

2006-05-07, 6:17 pm

On 5/7/06 12:10 PM, plabord commented:

> This question has probably been asked and answered a million times, but
> I can't find a good instance in my search through Google groups. I have
> several 6"x9" pen and ink drawings that I want to get scanned into JPG
> files. I used to do stuff like this at home with my scanner without
> thinking twice about it, but I no longer have access to this equipment
> and now have to find a commercial way to get it done. So far everybody
> I have talked to has quoted me $10 per scan or more. To me these prices
> are so spectacularly ridiculous that I wonder if the person I am
> talking to and I are on the same wavelength. The question is: is there
> a reasonably-priced scanning service out there (I'm in Richmond,
> Virginia, USA)? Or is this highway robbery the normal thing in the
> commercial image-scanning world?
>
> PL

It's not highway robbery. $10/flatbed scan has been an industry standard for
professionals for atleast a decade. You are using their equipment,
electricity, skills and time; and they are running a business. If you don't
appreciate their pricing and don't value the service they offer, simply
don't do business with them.

For what you want, you can buy a scanner for $100 or less and do it yourself
if you don't want to pay for a professional service. Perhaps they have a
scanner at your local library.

JPEG is the wrong file format for ink drawings.

inez

plabord

2006-05-08, 6:17 pm

Thank you for your response, which tells me what I needed to know--that
I probably will not find a commercial scanning service with a
reasonable price per scan.

The use of equipment, electricity, skills and time involved in scanning
an image is often negligible, depending on the job. I don't see any
reason why a basic scanning service for (VERY much) less than $10
cannot be provided for QUICK, basic jobs that can be done in a few
minutes. Not every image-scan will be labor- and skill-intensive, and
my frustration hangs on the commercial providers' inflexibility in
pricing to account for this fact.

I can only imagine that the public tolerates these prices because for
everyday use they can be avoided by buying a cheap scanner (for those
who are in a position to do so) or by using the one at work.

JPEG is the right format for a variety of internet applications,
however, although TIFF would be more "faithful" to the original.

PL

Waldo

2006-05-08, 6:17 pm

> Thank you for your response, which tells me what I needed to know--that
> I probably will not find a commercial scanning service with a
> reasonable price per scan.

With the current price of scanners, I wouldn't go to a service desk...

> JPEG is the right format for a variety of internet applications,
> however, although TIFF would be more "faithful" to the original.

JPEG is okay for photos publiced on the web. For drawings I would choose
PNG or GIF for web purposes, TIFF/PSD for other purposes.

Waldo

iehsmith

2006-05-08, 6:17 pm

On 5/8/06 8:43 AM, plabord commented:

> Thank you for your response, which tells me what I needed to know--that
> I probably will not find a commercial scanning service with a
> reasonable price per scan.
>
> The use of equipment, electricity, skills and time involved in scanning
> an image is often negligible, depending on the job. I don't see any
> reason why a basic scanning service for (VERY much) less than $10
> cannot be provided for QUICK, basic jobs that can be done in a few
> minutes. Not every image-scan will be labor- and skill-intensive, and
> my frustration hangs on the commercial providers' inflexibility in
> pricing to account for this fact.
>
> I can only imagine that the public tolerates these prices because for
> everyday use they can be avoided by buying a cheap scanner (for those
> who are in a position to do so) or by using the one at work.
>
> JPEG is the right format for a variety of internet applications,
> however, although TIFF would be more "faithful" to the original.
>
> PL

This type of service business survives by sticking to rates. It's not
usually the general public that uses their service, but other businesses (ad
agencies, designers, commercial photographers, publishers, printers, etc).
If your use for the scans is purely non commercial, then let them know that.
BUT, if you're talking to 'front desk' people you'll probably only get the
flat rates parroted to you.

You might be able to find a local designer, student or other individual in
your area who is willing to do it for you for much less. And, like I said,
try the local library, or a school, maybe. Maybe Kinkos/FedEx has scanners
available for use? Post on craigslist?

If the drawings are B&W (or water-washed), grayscale GIF would be a better
web format. It won't have those nasty compression artifacts rendered by
JPEG, and can render more defined lines. Granted, you can't force resize
GIFs in HTML for thumbnails, but that's pure laziness anyway.

It drives me insane that PNG never got full browser support. MUCH better
format that JPEG, hans down. Down with MSIE; up with FireFox;)

inez

PS_many designers set flat rates per hour/per service. I try to take the
client's budget into account, but it's a very difficult way to work. Believe
it or not, people lie. People tend to only think about what they want and
how cheap and fast they can get it. They want your best for the least. They
don't care if you're still in business next month.

It's human nature that ultimately sets flat rates;)