Scanning Tips 101

Do a pre-scan first.
Always for every comic scan.
Then scan at a 200dpi setting.
(if you still get a "checker pattern" in the scan bump this up to 250 - 300 dpi)
I have been using 300dpi on all scans with great results.

First thing crop out any black edges around the book if there is a boarder around the book
(if you do this last it can cause poor image quality)

Here you can use the Auto Levels and Auto Contrast.
Just be careful, sometimes they can over-fix a scan.
Making them too dark or the whites and blues too flushed out.
Some scans just need to be brightened or darkened just slightly.
Use your own judgement once the scan is in the PC.
If you get a "checker pattern" you can try the Despeckle option,
but this sometimes doesn't work.
If not, go back and bump the DPI up to 300 and rescan.

Next to size the image -
Go to Image, then Image Size...
Then adjust the Width to 350 pixels
(some people make this smaller,
but I've found this to be the best average size to keep a sharp image)

Don't worry about the Height pixels, they will adjust automatically with the Width.
(if not, most book sizes are 350 x 535 average)

Then select OK
Now to save the image as a JPG.
Go to Save File As...
Select JPG and name the file
Next it will ask the quality
Select a number in the high range (Starting at 8)
I usually save between 7 to 9 - look at the bottom and
you can see what the file size is going to be.

Always keep scan files under 100k (easy to do with the above steps)

This step by step was wrote using Adobe Photoshop 6.0

You may have to adjust some settings using another editing program
but most will have just about the same effects.
This will help get a good scan without "scanlines" or a "checker pattern".
Plus keep the file size at a good level.

If you have any questons e-mail me at Rocket2600@comiccovers.net