1. Choose a Match.
A smoother scanning experience depends on having the correct equipment. It’s simple to give up and choose a capture device that seems to fit because there are so many different options available. These options range from high-speed machines that can process thousands of pages per hour to small, personal desktop scanners that can only process 10 pages per minute. You should look for a scanner that can accommodate your needs. One that is capable of working quickly enough to complete the task but has some capacity left over for situations where you might require a little more capacity than normal.
Speed: Picking the correct scanner and weighing its cost can be intimidating. Therefore, look for a “quick enough” device that won’t take up more time than is essential.
Format: What kind of documents in what format are you scanning? Do you have a lot of images, legal-sized documents, or insurance cards that need to be scanned? You should confirm that your equipment can handle those formats before beginning any scans.
2. A document feeder automatically (ADF).
You’re aware of the tray on your device where you put your documents to be scanned, the one where your documents are “fed” into the scanner automatically, right? The automatic document feeder serves this purpose. Verify that it’s functional! Except for scanning fragile books or documents, you shouldn’t feed in documents one at a time. Simply drop in any number of documents—from tens to hundreds—and press the button.
3. Ripped pages.
Think of an 18-wheeler hitting the brakes hard on a wet, slick road. What will take place? It will probably jackknife. The same thing will occur if you feed a partially shredded or ripped document into your scanner. If you can even reach them, the last thing you want to have to do is open the document and take out the bits that were torn. To go rapidly, move slowly. Spend some time ripping pages. Before scanning, a little document preparation can go a long way.
4. Look for any metal.
Make sure to feel around for any paper clips or staples and take them out. Either of them has the potential to harm your scanning equipment, your documents, and necessitate repair services. The pages of a stapled paper should always be separated; otherwise, they will frequently stick together. The same idea applies to inspecting your pockets before washing your clothes to prevent getting ChapStick or melted gum on your new pair of trousers.
5. Fan it Out.
The paper being scanned can occasionally be too “clean,” making double-feeding easier. By using your thumb to fan the edge of the stack, similar to how you would while looking at a deck of cards or a book, you can create a little space and air between the documents. The possibility of the pages “sticking” together should be eliminated as a result of static electricity.
