Determining Resolution Settings

About Resolution

Images reproduced with scanners are composed of collections of dots containing information about brightness and color. The density of these dots is called the "resolution." This resolution determines whether an image is fine or grainy.
Resolution is measured in units called dots per inch (dpi).
The higher the resolution, the finer the image. Conversely the lower the resolution, the coarser the image.
However, the higher you set the resolution, the larger the data volume and the lower the resolution, the smaller the data volume.


High Resolution		Low Resolution

Simple Mode Settings for ScanGear

In Simple Mode, the resolution and scale in ScanGear are set by selecting a [Select Source] and [Destination] options.

*	The [Output Size] is assumed to be set to [Flexible] in the descriptions below.

Select Source	Destination	Resolution and Scale (Auto Setting)
Paper/Photo	Image display	150 dpi/100%
Paper/Photo	Print	300 dpi/100%
Paper/Photo	OCR	300 dpi/100%
Film	Image display	150 dpi/Approx. 400%
Film	Print	300 dpi/ Approx. 400%

Advanced Mode Settings for ScanGear

In Advanced Mode, the resolution in ScanGear is set by selecting an [Output Size] option.

Scanning with Fixed Output Size Options

Select an [Output Size] option in the Output Settings section other than [Flexible].

There are numerous preset options for images intended for printing (Business Card, 4" x 6" Landscape...) or for display on a screen (128 x 128 pixels, 640 x 480 pixels...). The default resolution for printing is 300 dpi and for display is 150 dpi.
You can adjust the size of a cropping frame without changing the width-to-height ratio of any Output Size setting.


	•	Although you can change the output resolution, you are recommended to use the default setting.
	•	The zoom ratio is fixed at 100% for paper/photo documents, and at approximately 400% for film. The zoom ratio cannot be changed.

Scanning with the Flexible Output Size Option

Select [Flexible] as the [Output Size] option in the Output Settings section.
You can freely set the resolution or scale and change the cropping frame dimensions.

Appropriate output resolutions are listed below for the [Flexible] option. The examples below show the scale for paper/photo items set to 100%.

Item Type	Purpose	Color Mode	Output Resolution
Color Photo	Make prints (print on printer)	Color	300 dpi
	Create postcard	Color	300 dpi
	Save on computer	Color	75-300 dpi
	Use on website or attach to email	Color	75-150 dpi
Monochrome Photo	Save on computer	Grayscale	75-300 dpi
Monochrome Photo	Use on website or attach to email	Grayscale	75-150 dpi
Text Document	Copy	Color/Grayscale/ Black and White	300 dpi
	Attach to email	Color/Grayscale/ Black and White	300 dpi
	Convert to text with OCR	Text Enhanced	300-400 dpi