Artwork Scanning & Fine Art Digitisation
Professional Artwork Scanning in Sydney
Your artwork deserves more than a photograph.
Cie-Elle Digital Imaging specialises in professional artwork scanning, fine art digitisation and high-resolution artwork reproduction for artists, galleries, museums, photographers, designers and collectors across Sydney and Australia.
Using our German-built Cruse large-format scanning system, we capture exceptional colour, tonal information, texture and fine detail to create a high-resolution digital master of your original artwork.
With a scanning area of up to 1400 × 2200mm and capture capability exceeding 800 megapixels, our system is purpose-built for artwork where accuracy and detail matter.
Whether you need a digital master for Giclée printing, artwork reproduction, archiving, exhibitions or future editions, we create files designed to retain the detail and character of the original.
With more than 25 years of experience, we combine advanced scanning technology with professional colour management and expert image preparation.
Contact Cie-Elle Digital Imaging to discuss your artwork scanning project.
Based in Ermington, Sydney, we work with artists, galleries, museums, photographers, designers and collectors across Sydney and Australia.
High-Resolution Fine Art Scanning
Professional artwork scanning is very different from simply photographing an artwork.
Our Cruse scanner uses controlled illumination and specialised scanning technology to capture artwork with exceptional detail and consistency while minimising common photographic problems such as uneven lighting, reflections, perspective and lens distortion.
A professional digital master can be used for:
- Giclée fine art printing
- Limited-edition prints
- Artwork reproduction
- Digital archiving
- Exhibition catalogues and publications
- Online sales and portfolios
- Future reproduction
For artists, this means your artwork can be digitised once and then reproduced consistently at different sizes without repeatedly handling or rescanning the original.
Our Cruse Large Format Artwork Scanner
The Cruse scanning system is at the heart of our artwork digitisation service.
Designed and engineered in Germany, Cruse systems are specifically developed for high-quality digitisation of artwork and cultural heritage materials.
Our system provides:
- Up to 1500 × 2000mm scanning area
- More than 800 megapixels of image capture
- Controlled, consistent illumination
- Exceptional detail and tonal information
- Professional colour-managed output
Large artworks that exceed the scanning area can also be captured in sections and carefully combined into a seamless high-resolution digital file.
This makes the system particularly suitable for paintings, canvas, boards, drawings, prints, photographs, mixed-media artwork and other large-format materials.
Why Professional Artwork Scanning Can Be Better Than Photography
Professional photography can produce good results, but lighting, reflections, perspective, lens distortion and camera position can all affect the final image.
Our Cruse scanning system provides a controlled and consistent capture process, helping minimise these issues while recording fine detail, colour and tonal information.
This can be particularly valuable for artwork with:
- Fine brushwork and intricate detail
- Subtle colour and tonal variations
- Textured surfaces
- Fine lines
- Large areas of consistent colour
For many fine art reproduction projects, professional scanning provides a highly detailed and consistent digital master that can be used for printing, reproduction and archival purposes.
Artwork Scanning for Giclée Fine Art Printing
If you’re producing Giclée prints of your artwork, the quality of the original digital capture is critical.
At Cie-Elle, scanning and fine art printing are part of the same professional workflow:
Original Artwork → Cruse Scanning → Colour Management → Proofing → Giclée Printing
We use the high-resolution master file to produce archival-quality Giclée prints using professional pigment inks and museum-quality fine art papers and canvas.
Because we manage both the scanning and printing, we understand exactly what is required from the digital master to achieve an exceptional finished print.
What Artwork Can We Scan?
We scan a wide range of original artwork and specialist materials, including:
- Oil and acrylic paintings
- Watercolours and gouache
- Drawings, illustrations and pastels
- Prints, posters and limited editions
- Canvas and artwork on board
- Mixed-media artwork
- Photographs
- Botanical artwork
- Historical and archival materials
- Maps and large-format documents
If you’re unsure whether your artwork is suitable for scanning, contact us and we can recommend the best approach.
Why Choose Cie-Elle?
25+ Years of Experience
More than 25 years working with artists, galleries, museums, photographers and collectors.
Specialist Artwork Scanning
Artwork scanning is a core part of our business, not simply an additional service offered by a general printer.
Advanced Cruse Technology
Large-format scanning up to 1500 × 2000mm with capture capability exceeding 800 megapixels.
Professional Colour Management
ICC colour-managed workflows help produce accurate, consistent digital files for professional reproduction.
Scanning & Giclée Printing Under One Roof
We can take your artwork from original capture through to colour management, proofing and final fine art printing.
Sydney Based, Australia Wide
Our studio is located in Ermington, Sydney NSW, and we work with clients throughout Sydney and Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you scan large paintings?
Yes. Our Cruse scanner can accommodate artwork up to 1500 × 2000mm, with larger works able to be scanned in sections and combined into a seamless digital file.
Can you scan oil paintings?
Yes. We scan oil, acrylic, watercolour, mixed-media and many other types of artwork.
Can you scan artwork for Giclée printing?
Absolutely. We can create a high-resolution digital master specifically suited to professional fine art reproduction and Giclée printing.
Is scanning better than photographing artwork?
It depends on the artwork and intended use. For many fine art reproduction projects, professional scanning offers advantages in controlled illumination, consistency, detail and colour capture.
Do I receive the digital file?
Yes. We can provide the completed digital master for your own use or use it for Giclée printing and reproduction at Cie-Elle.
How do I get my artwork scanned?
Contact us with the artwork size, type and intended use. If possible, send us a photograph of the artwork and we’ll recommend the most appropriate scanning process.
Get Your Artwork Professionally Digitised
Don’t compromise the quality of your artwork reproduction by compromising the quality of the original digital capture.
Whether you need artwork digitised for Giclée printing, reproduction, archiving, exhibitions or future editions, Cie-Elle can help.
Why digitise your artwork?
For many, artwork scanning as opposed to art photography, is the preferred method for digitising art.
Having your artwork professionally scanned (at 300 dpi or higher in 1-1 scale) will produce a super high resolution digital file. This will enable you to print in almost any size with superior quality.
You can even print in sizes larger than your original artwork with amazing detail and clarity.
Artist credit: Michelle Drougas
Our German built large format flatbed scanner is the most advanced scanning technology available in Australia. This exceptional Cruse scanner captures artworks at over 800 megapixels, achieving a level of depth never before seen in a digitised file. This is artwork scanning at its best.
Any size, any material
With a massive table size of 1400 x 2200mm, we can scan artwork in just one pass. Original artworks can be on paper, stretched canvas or within frames. Just about any substrate can be scanned and captured at the highest quality. Even glossy artworks pose no problem for this technology. Our Synchron™ lighting system gives extremely even light across the entire painting. This means that anything behind glass, on metal or metallics are still a breeze.
The details
To give you an idea of the sheer size of our unique scanner, we can scan the following as a group:
1x table scan = 20x A4
1x table scan = 15x A3
1x table scan = 8x A2
1x table scan = 4x A1
1x table scan = 2x A0
Discounts for multiples
We can scan artworks as individual pieces or you can take advantage of our multiple artwork scan. It is possible to scan up to 20 small artworks at one time. Contact us for more detail on this option and to discuss the requirements.
Latest from the Blog
Digitise your art – how to convert artwork or drawings to digital files
Image credit: Jess Watts (artist) How do I turn my drawing into a digital image? How do I convert my canvas painting to a digital file? I need digital art prints of my work, how do I do this? These are all common questions and requests we get, and the process we use is exactly the same, regardless of the type of art. When choosing to digitise your art professionally, there are two main options – artwork photography or [...]
Need fine art prints?
Yes, we do that too. Artwork scanning and fine art printing are often talked about separately. Maybe because they can be offered as individual services, and sometimes artists will only require one or the other.
But when you combine these two together (and add a few more steps), we’re talking about a process – art reproduction. This is a huge part of what we do.
To find out more about the benefits, check out the blog article: Art reproduction – everything you need to know. It’s a gem! Or read more about our fine art printing service.
Image credit: Jenie Fawckner
We take this stuff (not ourselves) very seriously
We are sticklers for detail at every stage of the process. For safety reasons, no contact is made with the original artwork surface, each artwork is scanned face up and protected at all times. We look after your work as if it were our own.
A snapshot of our recent work:
Got a question or need a quote?
We’re a friendly bunch so don’t be shy.
