Scanning photos and documents has become second nature to many individuals and businesses. While this technology has progressed over the years, there are still many out there that are unsure about how this process actually works. It can be a frightening prospect for those unfamiliar with the procedure, and for many, there’s a fear that scanning can actually ruin the originals.
We’re here to tell you that the opposite is true. Scanning photos and documents not only protects the originals, it also transfers them to a digital format that will preserve them for years or even decades to come. Since digital files aren’t exposed to the normal wear and tear of physical ones, they’ll be preserved in the best possible condition.
How Does Photo & Document Scanning Work?
Whether you hire an outside service or do the scanning yourself, the process is basically the same. Scanners work by shining a light onto the document or image, that is then reflected back by a series of mirrors back to the scanning sensor. It’s almost the same process as taking a picture with a camera lens. That image is then stored digitally.
When you scan an image, it preserves that image in the same condition as the original. So where lines may get smudged, pages ripped, or corners bent, this is not the case with a scanned image. Depending on what you need, you can then take that file to be reproduced as many times as you need. Those reproductions can be either physical or digital depending on what you need.
Can I Scan Photos Myself or Do I Need to Hire a Company?
You can, of course, scan your photos and documents yourself. Consumer grade scanners have come a long way from what they once were. However, most consumer models can only scan one image at a time. If you have a lot you want scanned, this process can be very cumbersome and time consuming.
Professional grade scanners and companies can handle this volume in a much shorter period of time. Industrial strength equipment can tackle these jobs in minutes or hours, which could potentially take you days to complete. Hiring an outside company will also ensure that the job is done correctly the first time. They will also organize your scanned images on a medium of your choosing, whether that be a CD, flash drive, or cloud storage provider.
Does Scanning My Photos Ruin Them?
The short and simple answer is no, it will not ruin your photos. There used to be a misconception that scanners used heat or some other method to digitize these files. This is simply not the case. In fact, keeping your photos digitally will preserve them indefinitely.
Scanning photos could also help you protect them from loss in a move, or natural disaster. Fires, floods, unreliable movers, and so on and so forth could all contribute to a catastrophic loss of your precious memories. Scanning your memories makes it possible to store them in multiple places, or even in the cloud. The cloud may seem intimidating, but it’s simply another way to preserve your files without needing them to be on a physical device. This is highly recommended for photos that are irreplaceable.
Record Nations Can Match You With a Scanning Professional Today
Record Nations has a nationwide network of professional partners to help your scanning project get off the ground. Don’t lose another photo or keepsake ever again. With scanning and secure storage, your memories will last a lifetime.
When you’re ready to get your scanning project started Give us a call at (866) 385-3706, fill out the form on this page, or click the live chat button. Our representatives will put you in touch with scanning professionals ready to tackle even the biggest scanning projects.
