Book Scanning
PreservaScan specialises in scanning books, periodicals, magazines, publications, and more. Our comprehensive book scanning service caters to individuals, businesses, charities, and public sector organisations throughout the UK.
Whether you need to digitise single books or entire collections, we’ve got you covered. Our advanced OCR technology ensures accurate text capture from your publications, preserving them for future generations.
For further details about our book scanning service, please contact us at 01525 647539 or complete the quote form provided.
Advantages of our Book Scanning Service
Secure Archiving
PreservaScan ensures permanent and secure archiving of your books, magazines, and periodicals. By digitising and securely storing your publications, we safeguard their contents for current enjoyment and future generations. Unlike physical copies that can be lost, digital versions can be replicated and stored safely in both removable media and cloud storage.
Cutting-Edge Technology
We employ the latest book scanning technology to provide unparalleled service to our clients. Utilising a method called ‘book flipping scanning,’ we meticulously capture each page, including front and back covers, in high resolution. This process is especially beneficial for digitising damaged books, as it minimises unnecessary handling and allows for digital restoration of text and imagery. We will never flatten a books binding, and we don’t automate page turning to reduce the potential for mechanical failure of the book.
OCR Technology
Our scanning process can incorporate Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, enabling the conversion of scanned images into searchable text. This ensures that every page of your book is accurately transcribed into a digital format.
Versatile Accessibility
PreservaScan offers various output options to meet your specific needs. Whether you prefer .ePub, Amazon Kindle, HTML, iPad/iPhone, Microsoft Word, .mobi, image-only PDF, searchable PDF, or XML formats, we can accommodate your preferences. These formats enable easy access to your favourite publications on a variety of devices, including e-readers and smartphones.
Digital Sharing
With your books digitised, you can easily share digital copies with friends and family. Subject to copyright permissions, you may also distribute or sell digital versions online.
Space Optimisation
While most clients choose to have their physical books returned, others opt for alternative solutions. These may include disposal of the physical copy, or storage at an external archival premises. This frees up valuable space while preserving the content in a convenient digital format.
Who needs book scanning?
PreservaScan employs cutting-edge hardware and software to deliver top-tier results with pristine clarity. Our clientele mainly comprises repeat customers, many of whom have shared with us their unique reasons for valuing the preservation of written works.
Archivists
Preserve valuable and rare copies of short-run or historic books, releasing the text publicly for researchers, the public, and other interested parties. Inquire about PDF/A and TIFF formatting options.
Authors
Digitise hard copies of their works, particularly those not originally authored on a computer or for which the original manuscript file is lost. This enables authors to re-release their books digitally. Learn more about .ePub, .mobi, Word, and PDF conversions.
Collectors
Scan entire collections of journals, magazines, and books to preserve their contents and facilitate easy retrieval of information.
Individuals
Transfer personally significant books or publications to PDF, .mobi, .ePub, and Word formats for archival purposes and convenient access on digital devices.
Librarians
Enhance accessibility to library collections by providing digital versions, making resources available outside of opening hours and supporting libraries’ adaptation to the digital age.
Publishers
Digitise substantial back catalogues to explore additional revenue streams through digital sales platforms, especially for older titles where a new print run may not be economically viable.
Our Book Scanning Services
Destructive Book Scanning
Ever wondered what destructive book scanning entails? Well, each page of your chosen title is separated from its spine using a guillotine. This method yields exceptionally high-quality scans, boasts a fast turnaround time, and offers the most competitive price per scanned page. While we can return the pages to you post-scan, please note that the book’s condition may not match its original state.
Non-Destructive Book Scanning
In contrast, non-destructive book scanning leaves your book fully intact. If you opt to have it returned, rest assured it will maintain its original condition. This method is ideal for valuable, delicate, old, or sentimentally significant books. Despite not separating the book, our specialist equipment ensures the scan quality remains top-notch.
Tailored Approach to Each Job
Every book scanning project is meticulously planned. Upon receiving your books, magazines, or periodicals, we strategise the scanning process for each item individually. For historical or antique books, our project managers may even recommend pre-scan repairs to enhance image quality and ensure a seamless conversion process.
Cutting-Edge Equipment
At PreservaScan, we’re committed to utilising the latest technology for unparalleled scanning quality. Our arsenal includes high-speed scanners, overhead book scanners, advanced image processing software, OCR software, and indexing software. With our state-of-the-art equipment, we guarantee the highest quality book scanning services.
Our Book Scanning Service – How it Works
Collection from Your Premises
Once you notify us that your book or collection of books is ready for pickup, we arrange for a trusted courier firm to collect them from your premises. Alternatively, depending on your location within the country, we may handle the pickup ourselves. If needed, feel free to inquire about our packaging service and archive box supplies.
Document Preparation
Upon arrival at our Bedfordshire premises, your assigned project manager meticulously inspects each item to determine whether colour imaging is necessary.
Scanning and Digitisation
Each book or publication is scanned into your preferred format. For text-based books, our manager configures the OCR system to capture photographic elements and transfer the text into your chosen computer file format.
Secure Delivery of Digital Reproduction
Once the scanning and digitisation process is complete, we securely deliver the digitised images to you. This is usually delivered from our bespoke Cloud platform, but can be done in other ways if requested.
What does it cost?
The pricing for scanning books, magazines, periodicals, and similar materials can vary significantly, influenced by several key factors:
- The dimensions of the publication
- Its historical era
- The required scan type (colour, grayscale, or black-and-white)
- Your desired image resolution
- If you require OCR or Handwriting Recognition
The pricing calculator below can be used to get an indicative price for your project, but for detailed information about our book scanning solutions and to receive a personalised quote, please reach out to us at 01525 647539 or complete our contact form.
PreservaScan is a reputable book scanning firm based in the UK, serving a diverse clientele of businesses, charities, and public sector entities nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will you return the Original?
Inform us of your preference when you contact us. We can arrange to return your books, send them to a professional archive company, or dispose of them as per your instructions.
Which Book Formats Does PreservaScan Work With?
PreservaScan handles various types of publications, including:
- Bound volume & book scanning
- Catalogue scanning
- Historical book scanning
- Historical letters and diaries scanning
- Machinery manual scanning
- Manuscript scanning
- Medical journal scanning
- Newspaper and magazine scanning
- Notebook scanning
- Scanning of personal archives of books
- Publication scanning
- Research paper scanning
If you require a service not listed, please reach out to us by calling 01525 647539 or filling out our contact form.
Does OCR Provide Accuracy?
OCR typically achieves a high level of accuracy in processing words. However, occasional errors may occur due to smudges or other factors obscuring text on a page. Layout issues, such as large first letters at the start of a chapter, can also affect OCR performance. OCR only works effectively on printed text, if you have handwritten text you would like indexed, we offer several solutions including automated recognition and professional transcription.
Book Scanning Service UK – Do You Operate Near Me?
We extend our book scanning services to companies, charities, and public sector organisations across the UK. For businesses in London and the Home Counties, we provide an in-house courier service. Beyond these regions, we rely on trusted couriers to collect your books and publications.
Book Scanning Service in London
We deliver high-quality and reliable book scanning services to our London clientele. We can personally collect and transport your valuable books and archival materials, or engage a professional courier service to transport them if you have a very large quantity.
How Long Does Book Scanning Take?
The time required to scan individual books or collections varies based on factors such as the number of pages and the scanning method. As a general guideline, expect 4 to 5 working days. However, we’ll provide a more accurate estimate when you schedule your booking.
We do accommodate urgent requests and strive to avoid charging a premium whenever possible, especially if we can meet your deadline within our operational capacity.
Can I Use a Book Scanning App or Portable Scanner Instead?
While there are book scanning apps and small portable scanners available, they typically offer only basic scanning capabilities. Additionally, manually scanning large or numerous books using such apps can be time-consuming. For efficient and accurate digitisation, investing in a dedicated book scanning machine is often necessary, and these come at an exceedingly high cost, often making it more cost effective to contract out this work to professional scanning companies such as PreservaScan.
Location
We’re located in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. We can be easily accessed from the M1 Motorway or by rail from the West Coast Main Line.