We scan embroidered swatches to email to customers for logo approval, but the off-the-shelf scanner we're using (HP ScanJet 5500) isn't doing too great a job. The main problem is the shadows created when the light passes over the swatch, causing letter heights to look inconsistent. Any suggestions for a good scanner that won't break our budget?

Hi,

We use the HP Scanjet 2200C and its working fine.

I think your scanner should be fine , have you tried turning the angle of the swatch. try 90 degrees or may be 180 degrees.

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Good tip Talker, i would suggest the same. Rotating the swatch by 90 degrees would give you different scan results.

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Good tip Talker, i would suggest the same. Rotating the swatch by 90 degrees would give you different scan results.

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...okay...you can do that also(turning by 90°degres)...
...but in my oppinion only problem you got is to avoid excess light that is coming from not covering top of scanner properly.This you can fix with just simple trick;
-when you put swatch in scanner,close tha scanner lid(top cover),and just put one dark fabric shett ono scanner...just to cover scanner wiche will result as light isolation for scanner.

Simple and resulting...let me now did you have any succes.
Good luck!

I agree turning the swatch at a different angle will solve the problem of having the letters appear uneven. As for finding a Scanner that wont break the budget I would suggest trying eBay they have some good deals if you look.

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I appreciate all the suggestions - acutally I had already tried the rotating idea. I did go ahead and purchase a new scanner - it's a PlusTek OptiBook scanner. It has what's called "shadow eliminating" technology, and so far I've been really pleased with it. It was only around $250, so not a huge investment. The only problem is there's some peripheral-conflicts with HP devices (printer), but our I.S. team is working on a solution for that.

Glad to know that you have got the issue resolved.
Keep posting larrylew !

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[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] is really recomended for digitizing jobs. Hahaha. $1.50 for the quality as the $3.5 companies!!
Saves me lot of time for minimum cost. I'm proud to be one of its 1900+ customers.