The digital age is in full swing, and it’s easy to forget that documents haven’t always been electronic. You can digitize almost any type of document, from letters and certificates to cards and pictures. If you’re new to the process, this is everything you need to know about how to scan a document from printer to computer.
From Scanner to PC
The first step to digitizing your documents is to ensure you have a scanner at home. Many printers include a scanning function, but you may also use a dedicated scanner. You may have heard that taking photos of your documents on your mobile phone accomplishes the same thing, but there are key differences to note:
- Scanners catch more details than phones
- Scanners keep documents flat to improve consistency
- Lighting, camera angles, and physical stability can impact image quality on a phone
- Scanners help you save files in various formats, such as PDF and JPG
- Phones may limit high-volume scanning or make it inconvenient
The steps to digitize a document are simple. First, connect your device to your computer. Ensure that you have all necessary software or apps installed before you try to scan anything.
Once you’re set up on the desktop or laptop, place your document or picture in the scan tray or other dedicated area of the device. Hit the “scan” button or choose the “scan” option from your computer’s task menu. Your computer may ask you to choose a file format and a save location before getting started. After you make your choices, the device will scan your item and save it to your computer.
Features to Shop for
If you have many documents you want to digitize, consider investing in a new scanner or printer-scanner combo. Newer models should offer “one-button scanning,” which is a quick and easy way to get the digitizing job done. The printer or scanner you choose should also come with up-to-date and intuitive software that makes saving, sending, and organizing files a breeze. You can even include a wireless portable monitor with your investment to save the trouble of having to move your gear from room to room.
The next features you should look for are image resolution and speed. In today’s digital world, you want a machine that provides not less than 300 dpi. If you plan to enlarge scanned images, look for a higher resolution of 600 dpi or more. Even while taking high-resolution scans of your documents, your scanner or printer should be able to work quickly and efficiently.
Our Recommendation
The ScanSnap® iX1300 is a versatile and easy-to-use scanner that’s perfect for at-home use. This scanner is reliable, fast, and compact, making it easy to move around and connect to different computers if necessary. Digitize both text documents and pictures with double-sided scanning and choose from a variety of file types to save to.
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