Knowledge Centre • Books & Bound Materials

What Is the Book Scanning Workflow?

A professional workflow moves from assessment and preparation through capture, quality control, OCR where required and delivery.

Typical stages are scoping, condition assessment, capture-method selection, preparation, capture, processing, QA, OCR and delivery. The exact balance changes with the book type.

Professional guidance: The National Archives describes digitisation as involving scoping, specialist capture, metadata and stringent quality assurance.

Book scanning workflow

The right method depends on the physical construction, condition and purpose of the book. Non-destructive capture keeps significant originals intact; destructive capture can be appropriate for approved modern production work.

Types of material covered

Assess books

Considered within the specialist workflow for this type of bound material.

Select method

Considered within the specialist workflow for this type of bound material.

Prepare and support

Considered within the specialist workflow for this type of bound material.

Capture pages

Considered within the specialist workflow for this type of bound material.

Quality control

Considered within the specialist workflow for this type of bound material.

Create and deliver files

Considered within the specialist workflow for this type of bound material.

Key considerations

  • Assess books
  • Select method
  • Prepare and support
  • Capture pages
  • Quality control
  • Create and deliver files

Need advice on a book or bound collection?

Oxford Duplication Centre can advise on the safest and most appropriate method for published, heritage, family and archival books.