L05 Detailed Descriptions

L05 - Loose materials, oversized, larger than 19"x26"

The materials in this category will be digitized using a medium format camera or a roller-fed scanner (see the links or pics below) at the discretion of Imaging Services. Each workflow has its unique advantages while also having some limitations.​

The medium format camera workflow:

Camera capture workflow is best for:​

• Originals that have sensitive surfaces such as pastels and drawings with loose graphite.​
• Continuous tone graphics and artworks that require exacting photorealistic reproduction.​
• Drawings fixed to stiff mounts and for smaller originals, which can be more quickly photographed with a camera system.​

Camera capture workflow advantages are:

• The most adaptable workflow.​
• Works can be photographed with no surface contact.​
• Flexible lighting options, soft or hard, balanced or directional, special filtration can be added such as polarization, etc.​
• Very accurate color and tonal reproduction is possible.​
• Works well for both mounted and flexible originals.​
• Can be used for all kind of materials, books, objects, installations, etc.​

Camera capture workflow limitations are:

• Requires additional equipment to build a copy system. A copy stand or camera stand and lighting equipment at minimum.​
• Requires a workspace that can be isolated from other light sources and reflections.​
• Size of originals that can be captured in a single image is limited by camera sensor pixel dimensions and required resolution. Larger size originals may require multiple captures and digital assembly.​
• Repetitive print and or design elements such as print screen dot patterns and some etchings can cause moiré.​

The roller-fed scanner workflow

The roller-fed scanner workflow is best for:​

• Line drawings, plans, blueprints, maps, large originals with fine detail.​
• Grayscale, black and white, and monochromatic works.​
• Works that can be rolled and safely placed in Mylar enclosures.​

The roller-fed scanner workflow advantages are:

• Self-contained unit can be operated in a variety of studio or office environments. Units are made to be free standing or tabletop.​
• Ambient room lighting is not an issue.​
• Larger sized originals can be captured at higher resolutions.​
• Uniform lighting and focus.​
• Very good reproduction of fine line detail.​
• No moiré issues with dot or line patterns.

The roller-fed scanner workflow limitations are:

• Scan time is longer than with a single shot camera.​
• Dust on mylar enclosure or the scanner glass can cause streaks.​
• Some noise present in scans of solid dark colors.​
• Task specific. Made for scanning flat loose items.​
• Our workflow requires Mylar enclosures and is restricted to items we can roll.

The roller-fed scanner workflow - IS specific setup:

• Workflow was developed in consultation with Harvard Library conservators.​
• Mylar sleeves of various sizes with white backing sheets to protect the originals. The white backing sheet also ensures that the scans have a clean and uniform appearance.​
• Sleeved originals are rolled and placed in a cloth bin at the front edge of the scanner. The scanner draws them out, completes a scan and ejects them onto a table to the rear.​
• The front edge of the scanner and the table are covered in a soft cloth to reduce scratching of the mylar.​
• The sleeves are open on three sides and sealed on one short end which goes into the scanner first. This prevents the sleeve from buckling.​

The roller-fed scanner workflow - Mylar sleeve sizes (inches)​:

• 44" x 66"​
• 36" x 50"​
• 27" x 36"

Pricing

Project price: $25

The service lines you would see in your billing could be one or both of these services:

Examples digitized via this service

• Maps
  • From camera with stitching
  • From camera without stitching
  • From canner
• Drawings
  • From camera with stitching
  • From camera without stitching
  • From scanner
• Posters
  • From camera with stitching
  • From camera without stitching
  • From scanner
• Color concerns
  • From camera

Contact us

For information about how to evaluate, prepare, and deliver materials for digitization, please contact imagingservices-list@lists.fas.harvard.edu.