Learn about scanner features

For business graphics and documents, scanning at 600 dpi allows for faster scanning and more manageable file sizes.

Compare the detail of a competitor’s 3-color scan vs. the color detail captured by an HP Scanjet G4050 Photo Scanner six-color scanning.

The HP Scanjet G4010 Photo Scanner scans 96-bit color to give the greatest gamut of shades available in an HP Photo scanner.

Here are some basic scanning terms dealing with the quality of scanned images, from the amount of information captured to the number of colors that your scan can express.

For more details on any of these terms, look at the helpful demo about scanning terms and features.

Optical resolution
This is a measure of how much information is actually captured by a scanner. It is measured in dpi (dots per inch). Scanning up to 600 dpi is ample resolution for most document scanners. A photo scanner captures up to 4800 dpi.

Enhanced resolution
Enhanced resolution refers to the resolution that can be achieved when computer software takes the data that’s been optically captured in a scan and makes an “educated guess” about additional information to provide a more detailed image.

Six-color scanning
Most scanners capture a range of tones based either on three (RGB) or four (CMYK) basic colors. With a second lamp, many HP scanners capture permutations of six basic colors, delivering scans with a wider gamut of color.

Color bit depth
Bit depth is the number of bits used to represent each pixel. Color bit depth measures how many colors a scanner can recognize and translate into digital information.

While 48-bit scanners offer a wide spectrum of color, many HP Photo scanners and some HP Photosmart All-in-Ones offer 96-bit depth, allowing for optimal noise reduction and color accuracy.

Grayscale levels
HP scanners come with a standard of 8-bit grayscale, meaning they can capture 256 shades of grey between white and black, allowing for a smooth transition between tones.

Example of a flatbed scanner, useful for the scanning of 3-D or bound materials.

A TMA (transparent materials adapter) allows the HP Scanjet G4050 Photo Scanner to capture six-color, 96-bit scans of photos, slides, and negatives.

If you will be scanning legal-sized documents, such as contracts, make certain that the maximum scan size is at least
8.5" x 14".

Learn the basics of how HP scanners can handle documents and other media.

Flatbed
A flatbed scanner allows you to open a lid and manually position media to be scanned on a plate or glass. Sometimes these have an ADF (automatic document feeder) as well.

Sheet-feed
A sheet-feed scanner allows for rapid scanning of documents and paper via an ADF, but isn’t suitable for photos or other media.

3-D scanning
If you anticipate scanning 3-D objects, including books, seek a flatbed scanner (rather than a sheet-feed model). Learn more about 3-D scanning.

Negative and slide scanning
Negative and slide scanning requires a TMA (transparent materials adapter) that allows for backlighting of the media.

Legal-sized scanning glass
If you will be scanning legal-sized documents, such as contracts, make certain that the maximum scan size is at least 8.5" x 14".

• Be aware that some scanners can scan this size via ADF, but their flatbeds only accommodate letter-sized paper.
• If you need to scan legal documents by hand rather than using an ADF, choose a scanner with a legal-size scan glass.

Learn more about finding a printer or scanner for legal-sized paper.

By scanning two sides of a document at once, the HP Scanjet 7000 Sheet-feed Scanner is able to capture up to 80 images per minute at 200 dpi in black and white or grayscale.

Pages per minute (ppm) refers to how many documents an ADF can pull through and scan in a minute.

Images per minute (ipm) refers to how many page-sides a scanner can capture per minute.

• When a scanner measures twice as many ipm as ppm (i.e., up to 18 ppm, up to 36 ipm), it’s an indication that the scanner is capturing the image from both sides of a document simultaneously for the fastest results.
  
  
• The measure of ipm lower than the measure of ppm (i.e., up to 15 ppm/ 6 ipm) indicates that the scanner turns the paper over to scan a second side.

Included OCR software enables you to search your scans, and even edit them.

Use the software included with HP general office scanners, such as the HP Scanjet Professional 3000 Sheet-feed Scanner, to scan business cards and create a digital database of contacts.

HP scanners come with included software to give you great flexibility with your images once you’ve scanned them. Check individual HP scanners to see what software is included.

For increased productivity and simple organization, use the various features offered by HP scanners to modify, enhance, and search your scans.

• OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software
  OCR software is included with most HP scanners, including photo scanners. It simplifies data entry and allows you to quickly search through your scanned documents.
  
  Learn more about using the OCR feature on your scanner and how to use this powerful software to search, convert, and edit your scans.
  
  
• Create a digital contact list/scan business cards
  Several HP general office scanners include software (NewSoft Presto! BizCard Reader) that lets you scan business cards, importing the information into the correct fields to help you organize your contacts digitally.
  
  
• Convert your scans
  Convert hard copies and files into a variety of popular file formats: Adobe PDF (including editable PDFs), Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel, WordPerfect, TIFF, and JPEG.

Some scanners even feature a pre-programmed Scan to PDF button on the control panel.

Send your scans straight to e-mail, saving time and paper.

HP scanners often include features and software that allow you to convert and send your electronic files for easier management.

Scan to PDF shortcut
PDF is a nearly universal file format that is often much smaller to send than other formats, simplifying e-mailing of documents.

Many HP scanners offer a front panel button for instant Scan-to shortcuts that you can set up to scan straight to PDF.

Send your scans electronically
Deliver your scanned files to various destinations:

• E-mail files directly. PaperPort software allows you to scan to e-mail and is included with select HP scanners. (Learn how to scan files directly to e-mail.)
• Deliver to local or network folders.
• Send to a fax or printer.

HP Smart Document Scan Software Included with HP document management scanners, this software allows you to efficiently convert and send your electronic files for easier management.

The HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus e-All-in-One offers useful scanning features, including legal-size scan glass, plus HP Print Apps for printing from the Web without a PC.¹

HP also offers dedicated photo scanners and HP all-in-one and multifunction scanners.

• HP Photosmart photo scanners include features for photographers, including built-in photo-editing software and technologies such as automatic red-eye removal. Visit our photo scanner buying guide to learn more.
• HP all-in-ones and multifunction printers include scanning capabilities along with printing, copying, and, on some models, faxing, too.

Visit the buying guide page to learn more about HP all-in-ones and multifunction products.