Microfiche & Microfilm Scanning & Digitisation Services UK
Pearl Scan converts microfiche and microfilm archives into indexed, text-searchable digital records – reducing retrieval time, eliminating storage costs and integrating directly with your existing systems. All formats supported. ISO 27001 certified. UK-wide collection.
Microfiche & Microfilm Scanning & Digitisation Bureau
Pearl Scan is a specialist UK microfiche scanning and microfilm digitisation bureau with over 23 years of experience converting legacy microform archives for organisations across the insurance, financial services, local government, NHS, legal, engineering and aerospace sectors.
Our microfiche and microfilm scanning service is fully managed – from secure UK-wide collection and specialist high-resolution scanning, through to OCR processing, custom indexing and direct digital delivery into your document management system. We handle all formats including standard fiche, COM microfiche, jacket fiche, 16mm and 35mm microfilm, cartridges and aperture cards, within our ISO 27001:2022 certified UK bureau.
Slow retrieval, high storage costs, deteriorating media, equipment failure and GDPR compliance obligations are challenges our clients bring to us. We resolve them through a single, end-to-end digitisation service – delivered to a fixed cost, by a dedicated project team, with a complimentary sample scan before you commit.
Microfiche Scanning, Conversion and Digitisation Services
Pearl Scan’s microfiche scanning service converts all microfiche formats – standard fiche, COM microfiche, jacket fiche and step-and-repeat – into high-resolution, OCR text-searchable digital files. Our specialist scanning equipment is calibrated to the specific reduction ratio of each format, ensuring accurate, legible capture across all media types regardless of age, density or condition.
COM microfiche – the high-density computer output format widely used in insurance, pension and financial services archives – is scanned at 300+ DPI using dedicated COM scanning hardware to handle the greater frame density reliably. Jacket microfiche, commonly used for patient and member records updated incrementally over time, is scanned in full to preserve the complete record history within a single indexed digital file.
All microfiche digitisation output is delivered as searchable PDF, PDF/A or TIFF, indexed to your exact specification and ready to integrate with your document management, CRM or policy administration system.
Microfiche Formats We Scan
Standard Microfiche Standard Fiche · 105mm
The most widely held microfiche format – up to 98 A4 frames per card. Common across insurance, pension, HR, NHS and local authority archives. Scanned at 300 DPI with full OCR and custom indexing by policyholder, member, date or document type.
COM Microfiche COM · Computer Output
High-density computer output format – up to 300 frames per sheet at 42× reduction. The standard for financial services, insurance and pension record archives. Scanned at 300+ DPI using specialist COM scanning hardware, with structured data extraction available for indexed output.
Jacket Microfiche Jacket Fiche · 16mm / 35mm
Film strips housed in a clear Mylar jacket – designed to be updated as new records are added over time. Used for patient records, member files and personnel histories. Each jacket is scanned in full, preserving the complete incremental record history in a single indexed file.
Step & Repeat Step & Repeat Fiche
Images filmed directly onto the fiche sheet by planetary camera at 24× or 48× reduction. Found in library, government and technical archives. Scanned at the resolution calibrated to the specific reduction ratio, ensuring legible text and detail in the digital output.
Microfilm Scanning, Conversion and Digitisation Services
Pearl Scan’s microfilm scanning service converts 16mm and 35mm roll film, cartridges, cassettes and aperture cards into fully indexed, text-searchable digital files. A single 16mm reel – holding up to 2,500 A4 frames – is processed, quality-checked and delivered as a searchable digital archive, accessible from any authorised device without specialist equipment.
16mm microfilm scanning is available at 300–400 DPI for standard document archives – legal files, financial records, HR documentation and local authority records. 35mm microfilm and aperture card scanning is carried out at 300 plus DPI to preserve the precision detail of engineering drawings, architectural plans and technical specifications. All formats are fully supported, including 3M, Kodak and generic cartridge designs.
Output is delivered in searchable PDF, PDF/A, TIFF or JPEG, indexed to your specification and compatible with all major document management and asset management platforms.
Microfilm Formats We Scan
16mm Microfilm Roll Film · 16mm
Standard roll film for A4 and A3 document archives – up to 2,500 frames per 30-metre reel. Widely used for legal, financial, HR and administrative records. Scanned at 300 DPI as standard, 400+ DPI for dense or faded content. Full OCR and custom indexing included.
35mm Microfilm Roll Film · 35mm
Large-format content – engineering drawings, architectural plans, maps and newspaper archives at approximately 800 frames per reel. Scanned at 300 DPI to preserve the fine detail that makes technical drawings useful once converted to digital format.
16mm Cartridge Cartridge · 16mm
Roll film in plastic cartridge or cassette – used in automated retrieval systems common in financial institutions and insurance companies. All major cartridge designs supported, including 3M, Kodak and generic formats. Fully indexed digital output delivered to your specification.
Aperture Cards Window card · 35mm
35mm film frame mounted in an IBM-style punch card – the standard for engineering drawings in aerospace, manufacturing and construction. Scanned individually at 300–400 DPI, with metadata extracted from the card header for detailed indexing.
We provide expert scanning services across the UK, reaching every corner of the country. Whether you are a local firm or a national organisation, our secure collection and delivery services are available directly to you, ensuring consistent service regardless of your location.
We understand that data accessibility is often time-critical. Our streamlined digitisation process is designed for efficiency, allowing us to deliver fast turnaround times without compromising on image quality. We work to your deadlines to keep your project moving forward.
Our facility is equipped to handle everything from a single microfiche or microfilm reels to large-scale enterprise migrations. As your needs grow, our services scale with you, providing the same level of care at any volume.
The Most Common Microfiche and Microfilm
Formats Found in the UK & Europe
16mm Microfiche
Commonly used for standard A4 office documents. A typical postcard-sized fiche contains 5–6 rows, holding approximately 60 to 98 pages.
35mm Microfiche
The standard for high-detail archives, including newspaper records, birth/burial registers, and large-format architectural plans (up to A0).
COMBI Microfiche
A hybrid format combining 16mm and 35mm frames. These are frequently used by local authorities for planning, building control, and highways departments.
COM Microfiche
Designed for high-density data storage from mainframe systems. A single fiche can contain up to 278 frames of A4 reports or data.
16mm Microfilm
Primarily used for A4 and A3 business documents. A standard roll holds roughly 2,500 pages, while Duplex formats can store double that capacity.
35mm Microfilm
The industry choice for oversized preservation. A full reel typically contains an average of 800 frames of drawings, plans bound volumes and newspaper archives.
Medium Format
High-fidelity film used for large-scale maps, intricate plans, and professional fashion photography.
Aperture card
Used extensively in engineering and construction, these cards hold a single 35mm frame and include printed index information for easy identification. We scan both the image and the associated metadata.
How It Works
1. Free Consultation
We assess your formats, volumes and condition. A complimentary test scan confirms output quality before you commit. Fixed-price proposal provided – no surprises.
2. UK-Wide Collection
Microfiche and microfilm collected from anywhere in the UK via our tracked, insured service – typically within 24 hours. Onsite scanning available for classified or sensitive archives.
3. Condition Assessment
Every reel, fiche and jacket is individually inspected, cleaned and assessed. Deteriorating or damaged media is handled with specialist care – recoverable content is maximised before scanning begins.
4. Conversion
Scanned at the correct DPI for your specific format 300 – 400 DPI for standard documents, 400+ DPI for COM fiche, 400–600 DPI for engineering drawings and technical content.
5. Metadata Indexing
Every image is quality-checked. OCR creates fully text-searchable files. Records are indexed to your specification – by policy number, member name, date, asset reference or any custom field structure.
6. Digital Delivery
Delivered via encrypted FTP, USB or direct DMS upload – in PDF, PDF/A, TIFF or JPEG. Originals returned, stored or securely destroyed per your instruction. Full project documentation provided.
Microfiche or Microfilm Archive?
Common Industries & Records We Digitise
Pension & Financial Records
Pension records are often stored on high-density microfiche, making manual retrieval a slow process. We provide expert scanning to convert these into high-quality searchable PDFs.
- Precise Indexing: Files are typically organised by member name, date of birth, and National Insurance number.
- Data Security: We ensure sensitive financial data is handled with the highest levels of confidentiality.
Local Authority Planning Records
Many UK and European Local Authorities hold decades of Planning Applications and building control documents on microfiche. As physical readers become obsolete, we facilitate a smooth digital transition.
- Modern Access: Move away from outdated physical archives to a streamlined digital database.
- Proven Experience: We have partnered with numerous authorities to digitise complex planning archives for easier public and internal access.
HR & Employee Records
Maintaining bulky microfiche readers for HR compliance is no longer cost-effective. Converting employee microfiche into indexed digital files ensures your department remains efficient and GDPR-compliant.
- Instant Retrieval: Find personnel files in seconds using indexed search terms.
- Space Saving: Reclaim office space by digitising HR archives and securely destroying the redundant fiche.
Newspaper & Historical Archives
Preserve history and make it accessible to the world. We transform newspaper archives on microfilm into organised, digital libraries.
- Deep Searchability: Our advanced OCR processing renders every page fully text-searchable, allowing researchers to find names, dates, or events instantly.
- Universal Access: Digitised archives can be hosted online, allowing for wider public engagement and remote viewing.
Specialised Transparency & Negative Digitisation
35mm Negative Scanning
We utilise professional-grade scanners to convert 35mm negatives into high-fidelity digital formats including TIFF, JPEG, and PDF. Our process restores clarity and ensures your images are ready for modern viewing and printing.
Slide Conversion (All Formats)
We provide comprehensive scanning for all slide types and sizes. Whether your archive contains 35mm standard slides, half-frame slides, or medium format slides, we convert them into vibrant, high-resolution digital files tailored to your requirements.
Glass Plate Digitisation
Historical glass plate photographs are fragile pieces of history. We specialise in the delicate handling and scanning of these plates, converting them into digital JPEG, TIFF, or PDF formats. This allows for the safe preservation of the original while making the imagery accessible for research and display.
FAQs
The Commercial Benefits of Microfiche & Microfilm Digitisation
Instant Retrieval
Records your team currently locates through manual frame-by-frame searching are retrieved via keyword search in seconds. For organisations accessing archives daily – insurance administrators, NHS staff, local authority teams – that is an immediate, measurable reduction in cost per query and improvement in service delivery speed.
Reduce Storage Costs
Microfiche cabinets and microfilm reels occupy valuable office and off-site storage space at ongoing cost. Digitisation eliminates that expenditure entirely. Your digital archive is stored in the cloud or on your servers – at a fraction of the cost of maintaining a physical archive room.
GDPR Compliance
Digital records make Subject Access Requests straightforward to fulfil within the one-month GDPR deadline, support FCA-regulated retention obligations and provide the auditable, retrievable data trail that regulators expect.
Eliminate Storage Risk
Physical microform archives are vulnerable to fire, flood, theft and irreversible media deterioration. A backed-up digital archive is permanently protected, recoverable and not dependent on a single physical location or piece of equipment.