Image quality versus image file size

What quality should my scanned image be?

This is a big question and depends on what you want the scanned image for.

Size:

If you intend to send your scanned image over the internet (for example email it or upload it to a website) then the smaller the data size of the scanned image the faster and easier it will be to send or upload.  If your purpose is not "making a copy of an important document" or not to "digitise work for future generations" then adjusting these options on the flat-bed scanner will reduce the data size of the image and probably speed up the overall process.

On the flat-bed scanner see More Scan Features after selecting the location to scan to

Scan Resolution set to 200 dpi

Image Compression set to high

Lowering scan resolution and increasing image compression reduces the quality of the image - that is the more you zoom into the image the more blurry and pixellated the image will look.

Note: it is possible to scan at a high resolution then on the APN Public PC create a copy and edit  the image to reduce data size.  Image editors installed on the APN Public PCs include Paint.Net and Microsoft Office Picture Manager.

Quality:

By default the scan resolution on the APN flat-bed scanner is set to its highest resolution (600 dpi) and image compression is set to low. 

It is recommended you scan at this resolution if your are not concerned with data file size or you intend to make a smaller file size copy using image editing software on a computer.  For example if you are archiving your community groups photo collection or making a backup copy of an important document. These "large" file data size images can easily be copied to USB thumb drive or CD-RW however you may wish to create small file size images for internet use.

See also

Scanning

Scanning - Changing the default settings

Copyright

Uploading

Saving files Online

Writing Files to CD or DVD

Removable media

PaintNet