Black-and-White Printed Materials

Examples:

• Book
• Document printed on a laser or inkjet printer

Remarks

• Keep a border around the document to allow reframing of the document as well as later modifications (e.g., removing the scale and document number).
• Batch digitization enhances productivity, but does not offer optimal rendering of individual images.
• For documents larger than the surface of the digital scanner, use the instructions for normal-sized artifact photography.
• For documents with several pages, consider producing a PDF document from the originals, or from black-and-white copies.

Recommendations

1. 300 ppi, with a minimum of 3,000 pixels for the longest measurement (8 x 10, or 1:1 for formats larger than 8 x 10).
2. Refer to the general guidelines to calculate the number of ppi required for a given dimension.
   Note that it is the original document which measures 8 x 10, not the final digital file.
3. Digitize in reflective mode.
4. For reference purposes, digitize a colour scale (Kodak Q-14 or Q-60) before each digitization session.

   

5. Use a grey background.
6. Digitize the document with a grey or colour scale and, depending on available space, always place it in the same location (ideally lower left).
7. Colour-balance each image as indicated in the general guidelines. If there is no greyscale reference, balance the levels of white in the brightest zone (D-Max), then balance the black in the darkest zone (D-Min).
8. Enlarge the frame by one inch at the bottom, and type the document number in black at the lower right (font: Arial, 40 pts.).
9. Flatten the image (i.e., flatten layers).
10. Convert in greyscale profile "Gray Gamma" 2.2, 8 bits.
11. Save the image as an uncompressed TIFF, named to standards established by the Corporation's Photo Archives.
12. Produce a JPEG version as described in the general guidelines.