Understanding the digitisation of maps, plans, drawings, posters and oversized archival documents.
What is wide-format scanning?
Wide-format scanning is the digitisation of documents larger than conventional office scanner sizes. Typical collections include maps, architectural drawings, engineering plans, posters, estate plans and large historical documents.
Why is large format different?
Oversized material may be brittle, rolled, folded, mounted or physically difficult to support. The equipment must accommodate the complete document without damaging edges or requiring excessive manipulation.
Stage 1 — Measure and assess
The document's dimensions, material, condition, folds, tears, fasteners and surface characteristics should be assessed. The capture method should be chosen around the object.
Stage 2 — Prepare the document
Where safe, rolled or folded material may need careful preparation before capture. Fragile documents should not be forced flat; support and conservation advice may be required.
Stage 3 — Capture at suitable resolution
Resolution should be sufficient to reproduce the smallest significant detail. Colour should be retained where colour carries information, such as annotations, planning markings or historical evidence.
Stage 4 — Stitching and completeness
For very large material, the capture system should be able to cover the complete document. Where multiple captures are unavoidable, stitching must preserve scale and alignment.
Stage 5 — QA and file delivery
Checks should include full coverage, scale, focus, colour, edge completeness, orientation and file integrity. Large-format files can be supplied as TIFF, JPEG or PDF depending on use.
Why digitise maps and plans?
Digitisation allows large documents to be viewed, searched and shared without repeatedly handling fragile originals. It also provides a practical route to preserving information from heavily used collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can be wide-format scanned?
Maps, architectural drawings, engineering plans, posters, artwork, estate plans and many other oversized documents can be suitable.
Can very large maps be scanned?
Yes, subject to the physical dimensions and condition of the material and the equipment available.
Can colour annotations be preserved?
Yes. Where colour carries information, a colour capture workflow should be used.
Further Reading
Oxford Duplication Centre — Practical Expertise
Our approach to heritage digitisation is based on matching the capture method to the physical material. Assessment, safe handling, appropriate equipment, consistent image capture and quality assurance are all part of the process.
Need DAT tapes digitised?
Oxford Duplication Centre provides professional DAT digitisation for individual tapes and archive collections, with preservation and access outputs tailored to your requirements.
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