Desktop Photo Scanners
The A4 desktop scanner or shoebox scanner is similar to A4 sheet-fed document scanners but optimised for photos. These A4 scanners often come with features such as automatic photo detection and cropping. The Canon RS40 and the Epson FF-680W scanners are two good examples of A4 desktop photo scanners. Both scanners are bundled with additional software that enhances scan quality. For more information on these two photo scanners, take a look at our Shoebox Scanner blog post.
Book Scanners
A book scanner, or overhead scanner is designed to capture images or text from books, converting them into digital format for various purposes such as archiving, sharing, or reading on electronic devices. Overhead scanners resemble desk lamps and have a camera mounted on an arm that hangs above the book. The pages are turned manually and the scanner captures images from above. The process works just as well for single or multiple documents, such as photographs, paintings, etc., when placed underneath the scanner head. The Scanner Shop stock a selection of IRIS book scanners capable of scanning A4 and A3 documents. ScanSnap also manufacture the highly acclaimed SV600 A3 book scanner which has a scan resolution of 1200dpi.
Flatbed Scanners
The flatbed scanner has a flat glass surface, underneath a lid, where documents are carefully placed before scanning.
The flatbed unit is suitable for scanning photos, drawings, artwork and other flat documents. Flatbed scanners come in a range of different sizes including A2 scanner size, A3 scanner size and A4 scanner size. Most flatbed scanners have a high optical resolution, providing detailed scans. Selected units also include film adapters which allows for the scanning of various films including 35mm, 120mm, 5x4” and 10x8” negatives and slides. If you need this extra functionality, it is available on the following Epson flatbed scanners: Epson Perfection V600 A4 flatbed scanner (35mm & 120mm only), Epson Perfection V850 Pro A4 flatbed scanner and the Epson Expression 13000XL Pro A3 flatbed scanner. The Epson 13000XL Pro is a first-class A3 scanner capable of producing superb image scans, making it the perfect A3 scanner for artwork. Should you need a flatbed scanner that can handle larger documents, the Contex IQ flex is an A2 scanner with CIS optical technology, capable of scanning images at up to 9600dpi.
Large Format Scanners
Large format scanners are designed to handle the scanning of documents and images that are larger than A2. These wide format scanners are commonly used by architects, engineers, graphic design studios, photographic studios and other industries where oversized documents or drawings need to be digitised.
Common manufacturers of large format scanners include Contex and Colortrac. Both manufacturers offer a selection of A1 scanners and A0 scanners. For architects and engineers, the Colortrac Smart LF Scan! 24 A1 scanner is a superb option. A self contained, portable, large format scanner that can be used on-site, in the office or at home. This A1 scanner produces high quality scans of large technical plans, drawings and documents up to A1 in size.
The Scanner Shop also supply Contex scanners and imaging solutions. A well-known manufacturer of large format scanners, Contex have an extensive range of high quality scanners including the compact SD One+ 24 A1 scanner, the HD Apeiron/42 contact free A0 scanner and the mid-range Contex SD One MF 44 which includes ethernet and WiFi interfaces.
