Experince with multi format scanning

ReceiptScanner001 · Oct 19, 2020

I need to scan a lot of documents ranging from small restaurant receipts to A4 documents to a could application all in one go.
The main problem is that most scanners have rollers only in the middle and not on the sides which means that smaller documents would have to be aligned in the middle so that the roller can grab them. The process of aligning all the small receipts would take a lot of time that can be better used elsewhere. Moreover, the possibility that some rollers may crump delicate receipts is worrying.

Does anyone have experience with this problem and has scanners to recommend? Are there any scanners with rollers on the side and in the middle?
Also, any positive and negative experience with scanning multi format documents is welcome.

Omid_K · Oct 19, 2020

How critical is quality of these scans? If it’s just for your records then consider a smartphone app like Tiny Scanner. I’ve been using it for years to submit forms to insurance, work, mortgage services, whatever. I’ve never had a complaint or a request to rescan anything. If you’re looking for preserving something more precious you may need to consider a flatbed scanner.

Regards,
Omid

George Collier · Oct 22, 2020

You might also be able to make a "wallet" or "pocket" to gang scan, then separate them in an editing software, like Pshop (you don't say whether you have that).
I set up a roll fed scanning operation for a company, and for items too small to feed into the transport system, I took very thin mylar (maybe 2mil?), hinged to translucent mylar, or paper material and positioned the small things together, making one large scan. You can also make smaller pockets for one item at a time.
Issues might be focus, depending on the scanner, you will need to crop somehow, as the scanner will likely define the shape as the whole pocket. All depends on your work flow.
The pockets also become abraded or smudged over time and have to be remade.

Alan Edward Klein · Oct 22, 2020

Can't you throw a bunch of little receipts on the scanner's glass to scan in one pass? Save the auto rollers for standard 8 1/2x11 sheets.

Adrian Bacon · Oct 27, 2020

ReceiptScanner001 said:
I need to scan a lot of documents ranging from small restaurant receipts to A4 documents to a could application all in one go.
The main problem is that most scanners have rollers only in the middle and not on the sides which means that smaller documents would have to be aligned in the middle so that the roller can grab them. The process of aligning all the small receipts would take a lot of time that can be better used elsewhere. Moreover, the possibility that some rollers may crump delicate receipts is worrying.

Does anyone have experience with this problem and has scanners to recommend? Are there any scanners with rollers on the side and in the middle?
Also, any positive and negative experience with scanning multi format documents is welcome.

why not just tape the small receipts to a sheet of larger paper?

Experince with multi format scanning

ReceiptScanner001

Omid_K

George Collier

Alan Edward Klein

Adrian Bacon

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