Archival Scanning & Digitisation

Safe Digitisation of Fragile & Valuable Materials

Some materials are too valuable, delicate or fragile to be handled repeatedly or placed on conventional scanning equipment.

Our Cruse scanning system provides a controlled, non-contact capture process, making it particularly suitable for materials where protecting the original is a priority.

The system can capture detailed images without requiring conventional scanner contact with the surface, helping reduce the risk of damage to delicate, aged or valuable materials.

This makes professional archival scanning suitable for:

• Rare and historical documents
• Manuscripts and records
• Maps and plans
• Photographs and negatives
• Paintings and artwork
• Prints and posters
• Textiles and tapestries
• Books and archival material
• Museum objects
• Technical drawings
• Decorative and cultural objects
• Other delicate or valuable materials

If you’re responsible for an irreplaceable collection, the scanning process needs to protect the original while capturing as much information as possible.

Restoration/enhancement services offered:

• Cracks, tears and stains removed
• Photographs Cropped, Straightened, Sharpened – Enlarged / Reduced
• Colour / Tonal Balance restored
• Exposure correction and Toning of Black and White
• People / Objects added or removed
• Cosmetic changes, blemishes and marks removed
• Special Effects: Colour to B&W, Spot Colour, Sepia

Large Format Archival Scanning

Conventional scanners are often limited by their physical size and design.

Our large-format Cruse scanner provides a scanning area of up to 1400 × 2200mm, allowing us to digitise large documents, maps, artwork and other materials that cannot be accommodated by standard scanners.

For materials larger than the scanning area, we can capture multiple sections and carefully combine them into a seamless high-resolution digital file.

Large-format archival scanning is particularly useful for:

• Historical maps
• Architectural plans
• Large documents
• Artwork and paintings
• Posters
• Tapestries and textiles
• Technical drawings
• Large photographic materials
• Museum and heritage objects

What Can We Digitise?

Archival digitisation isn’t limited to paper documents.

Our large-format scanning technology can be used to create detailed digital records of a wide range of materials and objects, including:

Historical Documents & Records

Rare documents, manuscripts, certificates, letters, records and other historical material.

Maps & Plans

Historical maps, architectural drawings, engineering plans and large-format documents.

Photographs

Photographic prints, historical photographs and other photographic materials requiring high-resolution digitisation.

Artwork & Prints

Paintings, drawings, prints, posters and other artwork requiring an archival digital master.

Textiles & Tapestries

Large textiles, tapestries and other flat materials where detailed surface information is important.

Unusual & Specialist Materials

Depending on the material and condition, we can also digitise objects such as timber, tiles, glass, slate, granite and other specialist materials.

If you have something unusual that needs to be digitised, contact us. We can assess the material and determine the safest and most effective approach.

High-Resolution Archival Digitisation

Creating an archival digital master isn’t simply about producing a large file.

The goal is to capture as much of the original’s detail, colour, tonal information and surface characteristics as possible, creating a reliable digital representation that can be preserved and used in the future.

Our Cruse system can capture more than 800 megapixels, providing an exceptional level of image information for archival and reproduction purposes.

We combine this high-resolution capture with professional ICC colour management and image preparation to create consistent, high-quality digital files.

These files can be used for:

• Digital preservation
• Research and documentation
• Online collections
• Publications
• Exhibitions
• Reproduction
• Restoration
• Archival records
• Future access and reproduction

Archival Image Restoration & Enhancement

Digitisation can also provide an opportunity to preserve and improve historical material digitally.

Where appropriate, we can assist with image preparation and restoration, including:

• Dust and mark removal
• Image clean-up
• Colour correction
• Tonal adjustment
• Cropping and straightening
• Digital repair
• Image enhancement
• File preparation for publication or reproduction

The original material remains untouched while restoration work is carried out digitally on the captured image.

This can be particularly valuable for old photographs, damaged documents, faded artwork and historical material where the original cannot or should not be physically restored.

Digitisation for Museums, Galleries & Collections

Professional archival scanning can help organisations create accessible digital records while reducing the need to repeatedly handle valuable originals.

We work with museums, galleries, collectors, artists, designers and other organisations requiring high-quality digitisation of artwork, documents, photographs and collection material.

Digital masters can be used to:

• Build digital collections
• Create online archives
• Support research
• Produce catalogues and publications
• Prepare exhibition material
• Preserve historical records
• Create reproduction files
• Provide secure long-term digital records

For private collectors, digitisation can also provide a valuable record of important or irreplaceable items.