One reader - I trust not the only reader - has asked me for an update on our scanning process with our Kodak s1220. Earlier I'd said the 1Scan photo scanning method was to scan face down, well no longer, as recommended by Kodak we scan image side up.
The current release of Kodak's software requires you to feed the photos in upside down. I often forget but it does ensure that images with areas of smooth blue sky are scanned properly. Previously we'd noticed some banding in large areas of colour, but no more.
Both of us now use "Laura's Method". We feed photos in the correct way round. Neither of us have anything against using the software rotate feature, we just like the time saved in not having to do so.
When we first had the scanner we experienced issue with tiny streaks on the image, but this too is no longer an issue. First we scan with the image cleaner setting on and I'm sure that helps. We regularly use the Brillianize anti static cleaning wipes along with an anti-static cloth. Experience has taught us the prime culprit in causing streaks is the non-drying adhesive sold here in the UK as Pritt Stick. One added benefit of carefully feeding images in by hand, and rotating them, is getting (literally) a feel for those with the damned bits of adhesive stuck on the back. Worse still, this often causes two images to stick together. So we can take pre-emptive steps to stop nasty bits of gunge getting into the scanner.
What hasn't changed is the very positive feedback from our clients. The speed of operation is one big "Wow" factor. We get people who start scanning using their simple flatbed only to find a deadline fast approaching and the pile seems undiminished. We can get through a couple of thousand images in a day, so we can help them hit their deadlines.
The biggest "Wow" comes from the colour restore function. If you haven't yet used Kodak's s1220 let me explain how easy this is to achieve. You just scan a batch of photos, then hit a single button marked for colour restore - no complex options, settings, parameters - just let Kodak work their magic for a few minutes. The results never fail to impress.
Surely there's something to moan about? Well, no - not really. The scanner is great and does everything we could have hoped for and a fair bit more. The challenges we face in building our photo scanning business are really marketing issues. How can we get more clients, how can we persuade British clients to trust Royal Mail to safely deliver their precious photos?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
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