How does book scanning and digitisation work?

Our scanning bureau uses state-of-the-art book scannersScanners
A device that connects to a computer allowing the user to turn (scan) documents into images they can manipulate on the computer. which use an overhead scanner (which uses true linear scanning technology) with sophisticated image capture processing. Image enhancement and restoration is applied to any poor quality or aged books in order to optimise the quality.

Once the book scanning process is completed the images produced go through our quality control procedures. Scanned books are then converted to the required digital formatDigital Format
These can be TIFF or JPEG, which are computer files used to store pictures or graphics. We also use PDF (Portable Document Format) which are designed for easy printing and sharing. such as PDFPDF
PDF is a very popular multi page file format that is used by many companies because it can be opened by almost anybody using free software most people have already on their computers., JPGJPEG
JPEG is a single page per file image format that is popular among graphic designers and web designers it is advised to use this format if you're scanning colour images for presentation purposes. and TIFFTIFF
- A type of computer file used for storing pictures, these can be full color, grayscale or black and white. A multipage TIFF file can contain many pages in a single file. or even Microsoft Word format.

Many e-bookE-book
A book that is available in a computerised format such as Adobe PDF, Microsoft Lit or the eBook Reader format. features can be applied to a PDF book such as converting them into text searchable PDFPDF searchable
PDF Searchable is type of PDF File that has been processed using OCR so that its contents can be searched. files, adding PDF bookmarksPDF bookmarks
PDF Bookmarks are a tool to allow you to easily navigate through a PDF document by placing links to sections which appear on the right hand side of the PDF when opened. or PDF linksPDF links
PDF Links allow you to create buttons in your PDF documents that link from one page to another, these buttons can be text or image, or just an area of the scanned image that you want to make clickable. from the index page or glossary of the book to the relevant sections.

E-book versions can then be distributed or sold on the Amazon store and Apple iBooks store and it is always useful to have publications backed up safely in an electronic format in case of damage or loss. These are just a couple of reasons why book scanning is an excellent choice for the future of your books.

We have digitised many commercial, personal and out-of-print books and publications. If you'd like to find out more about our book scanning service or would like to request a quote, please email us or call us using the details listed below.

The Book Scanning Process

Below we will illustrate and explain the book scanning process so that you can better understand what we will do when it comes to digitising your books.

+ Scanning Types

The first thing to consider when it comes to getting your book(s) scanned is the type of scanning you'd like. This is a typical option across the industry albeit that many companies only offer the first option listed below:

• Unbound / Destructive Book Scanning

Though not as harsh as it may initially sound, unbound or destructive book scanning will involve the removal or 'slicing' of the spine of the book. The spine or staples, if a magazine or leaflet is being scanned, will be removed and the pages will be processed through one of our feed scanners.

+ Advantages

1. The process is very fast.
2. The service is considerably cheaper.
3. Results will often be clearer (depending on level of detail in the book itself)

• Intact Book Scanning

For the most part, intact scanning is exactly as it sounds. Your book(s) will be scanned in the condition in which they arrive with us here at Pearl Scan on one of our upright book scanners, using technology specifically made to cater to books and magazines, whether delicate, rare or in perfect condition.

+ Advantages

1. Books remain in the same condition in which we receive them.
2. Books are exposed to considerably less light than other scanning methods.
3. Ideal if your book is one-off, rare, valuable or has high sentimental value.

One of the first questions we'll ask when you call or email us is which of these processes you would prefer, so it's always best to know the facts about what is offered.

The Process

After you have chosen your book scanning service type, we do the rest.

• Scanning

Depending on your preference of scanning type, we will begin the scanning process itself. If you have chosen unbound/destructive scanning, we will remove the spine of the book or the staples of your magazine before the process begins. Scanning is done to your preference of colour, black and white or greyscale.

• OCR (Optional)

OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is an option which will make your desired format in which you have chosen to have the book converted completely text-searchable on computer, tablet and mobile devices. This is useful if you're looking for particular passages or reference points, plus segments can be highlighted copied and pasted as you wish. For the Microsoft Word format, OCR is a necessity during conversion.

• Conversion

After the scanning and optional OCR is done, all pages and images within the book will be converted to your desired format. This is usually PDF, but please see our 'Formats' tab above for a list of digital formats we typically convert to.

We typically scan and convert:

+ Old books

+ Rare and Fragile Books

+ Large Format Books

+ Bound Volumes

+ Magazines

+ Newspapers

+ Artwork

These are some general examples of the types of books and publications that we have scanned in the past, but we aqre able to offer scanning for publications of all shapes, sizes, conditions and ages. Please contact us for more information.

Rare Book Scanning

The greatest of care is taken when it comes to the scanning, digitisation and reproduction of older and more delicate and hard to find books with Pearl Scan. We place the requirements around the condition of the books and the speed in which we process them can be reduced to make absolutely sure that the books remain in the same condition that they came to us in.

Of course we treat all the books we scan with the greatest of respect but we understand that there will always be a few cases that need special attention, and we use only our most experienced scanners to complete this work who always wear gloves to protect the pages and print of your books which is all part of our rare book scanning service.

We deal with hundreds of rare and one-off books per year and have been trusted with books from right back in the 16th century up to the present day. With Pearl Scan Solutions you can be assured that we will treat your books and scanning with the greatest of respect.

We use state of the art specialised overhead liner book scanners to scan and capture bound, rare, historical, out of prints and fragile books, magazines and journals. The books are carefully scanned, images are captured, either in colour, black and white or greyscale as necessary (depending on the nature of the books, contents, e.g. pictures, text, illustrations, drawings etc). Once scanned, the images are then processed and converted to the required image formats (e.g. PDF, Text Searchable PDF, ASCII Text, Microsoft.Word, XML, HTML and even Excel for directories. They are then supplied on a required storage medium such as CD or USB.