Optimize scanned documents for storage and submission
Improve scan readability, orientation and size before sharing.
Capture a clean source
Place the document on a flat, contrasting surface with even light. Avoid shadows, fingers and curved page edges. A clean source requires less compression and correction later.
Rotate pages before combining
Every page should be upright in normal reading order. Mixed orientation creates problems for reviewers and automated processing. Use the organizer before merging or compressing.
Crop unnecessary surroundings
Large desk backgrounds add pixels and make text appear smaller. Crop close to the page while leaving a narrow border. This improves readability and reduces file size.
Use grayscale carefully
Grayscale works well for ordinary black-and-white pages. Keep color when the document contains important colored seals, annotations, photographs or security marks.
Retain an archival copy
Submit a reduced copy when a portal has a limit, but preserve the original scan. The original may be needed for printing, verification or a later request for higher quality.