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General discussion

Capturing high resolution color images for reprint

Oct 21, 2005 3:37AM PDT

I want to capture digital images (jpeg in RGB color format is preferable) of various motifs that are on paper or fabrics. Once I have these motifs in digital format they would be reprinted onto fabrics and other materials. What is my best choise of tools for getting the highest possible image resolution? Some friends have suggested a high-resolution digital camera (5 megapixels, or higher, with 4 or more times optical zoom), others have suggested a high-resolution flat bed scanner with a Z-lid for thicker fabric originals. I would very much appreciate it if an imaging guru out there in the forum could give me some good advice re the best tool for my appliction(also, I'd like to keep the solution at under $700, if possible). Thanks a lot.

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A scanner will be higher resolution
Oct 21, 2005 5:51AM PDT

Since you can place your original on a scanner's platen, even a cheap scanner at just 1200 dpi (dots per inch) will give you much higher resolution than any digital camera can.

You can even spend a few bucks, of that $700, and get a pretty good quality scanner that is MUCH higher resolution than 1200 dpi.

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Scanner graphic file formats
Oct 22, 2005 4:51AM PDT

Hi Chuck T.

Thanks a lot for your response. Quick follow-up questions:

1. Can scanner images be converted into (or captured as) jpeg RGB color files?

2. What would be a "creme de la creme" scanner model in the $200 to $400 price range?

Thanks for all your help.

Best Regards,
Jim C.

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save as JPG
Oct 22, 2005 7:05AM PDT

JPG (or as you called it jpeg) format it typically the format that most scanners and digital cameras do save as. There are some that may also give you the option to save in other formats (such as PDF, or RAW, TIF, etc.) but you should not have any problem in getting your images into JPG.

As for me recommending any scanner - I can't, I just don't have enough experience in comparing brands. There are plenty of websites that will give you reviews from not only the pros, but also reviews from actual users. Just do a Google search for scanners and include the additional search word of "review". That should help you in narrowing down your hit list.

Good luck.

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Thanks for all your help!
Oct 23, 2005 3:47AM PDT

Hi Chuck T.

Thanks so much for all your help! I really appreciate your great advice, and I'll do the Google search as you suggested.

Best Regards,

Jim C.