Large-format flatbed photo scanner in Toronto or GTA?

December 22, 2016 1:35 PM

I have a drawing by an old friend that measures 15″ x 20″ (38 x 51 cm). It's on a kind of stiff foam board. I'm looking for somewhere I can get it scanned and converted to a digital file. This is a one-off; I don't want to buy one. All the places I've talked to have some kind of roller scanners that the original needs to be flexible for. Does anyone know of a place where I can walk in and get this done? Preferably in or near Richmond Hill. Thanks.
posted by feelinggood to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

Another approach would be to take a digital photo of it, or to find an outfit that has the appropriate equipment to do that (hi-resolution cameras with special lenses). Depends on how perfect you want the resulting file to be. An art museum might have a lead on a local service that does that.
posted by BillMcMurdo at 1:48 PM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]

Try a larger service bureau that reproduces maps and building plans and such
posted by Freedomboy at 2:10 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

I came to say the same, taking a photo might be easier and depending on what you want the digital file for, it doesn't even need to be super hi res. Eg if you want to make a print, your average 16MP camera and friend who can tweak in photoshop might be enough to give you the output you want.
posted by stellathon at 2:25 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

If you can't find a large enough scanner: with that size it should be possible to scan it piecemeal in overlapping segments on a regular sized flatbed scanner and stitch it back together using photoshop or gimp.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 2:30 PM on December 22, 2016

Yeah, a photograph is typically how it is done (paintings for example, even if they fit in a scanner, often don't take well to being smushed against glass). Any decent photographer should be able to do it (maybe even your local portrait studio, or ask at a camera store). You could also DIY it if you do a bit of research on photographing artworks online (your phone's camera is probably up to the task, but you'll need to sort lighting and a tripod).

Many, many illustrators have made do with taking several partial scans and stitching them together afterwards as Hairy Lobster suggests above, though.
posted by rodlymight at 5:41 PM on December 22, 2016

I think you're going to have trouble with scanning in pieces as suggested above, because most flatbed scanners have a little raised edge around the bed, so if your piece is on a stiff support, it won't be able to lie flush against the glass. So you'll get distortion and shadows. Still, if you manage to find a way to do it, there's an automated stitching function in Photoshop. (I don't believe this exists in Gimp.)

Otherwise, I agree that a photo is your best bet.
posted by the_blizz at 7:07 PM on December 22, 2016

Little bit overkill, but this place claims they can definitely do the job. You need to pay a little more but you can walk in and they will scan it while you wait. I'd call first. Queen and Davies, close to DVP.

I'm not making a personal recommendation, I just googled "toronto large format flatbed scanning" and this place pops up on the first page.
posted by tracert at 12:03 AM on December 30, 2016