Digitizing Historic Documents and Collections

Prices Vary

Collection Digitization and Historical Document Scanning. Jason Houge Studios

Photo documentation of cultural heritage works on paper

Digitizing and Scanning works on paper for Auction Documentation, Archive Status, Reprinting and Ancestry.

Digital Capture and Scanning Services for Collections and Archives

We strictly control color calibration throughout our workflow to ensure accurate color and tonal representation.

OUTPUT
File Types: DNG or TIF and JPG
Image Size: Up to 30×40 in (.tif); 1500px on short side (.jpg)
Color Profiles: Adobe RGB or Gamma 2.2 (.tif); sRGB (.jpg)
Color Bit Depth: 16 bit (.tif); 8 bit (.jpg)


Out of stock

Description

Collection Digitization and Historical Document Scanning

We digitize historic photographs and documents for reprinting, family ancestry, archive documentation, collection status monitoring and auction sales. We help families build their family ancestry archives by digitizing family albums, historic documents and more. We independently document collections of art and artifacts owned by museums, private institutions and private collectors to establish collection status, build their database and organize exhibitions.

Hit the Get Started button and we will work with you to determine the most appropriate options for your project and budget.

Digital Capture Pricing
SERVICEPRICE / Unit
Digital Capture
Digital Capture: Hourly$300 / hr
Digital Documentation of Collections and Archives
  • Digitizing documents for Family Ancestry
  • Digitizing collections and archives
  • Documentation of historically significant archives
  • Documentation of creatively significant collections
  • Documentation for auctioning collections
  • Documentation for archive condition status monitoring and reporting
Service Area

Service area includes most of the upper Midwest: Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Northwestern Indiana, Eastern Iowa, Upper Michigan, Lower Michigan and Eastern Minnesota. Cities include: Appleton, Beloit, Cedar Rapids, Chicago, Chicago Area, Dubuque, Green Bay, Grand Rapids, LaCrosse, Madison, Marquette, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Peoria, Racine, Rockford, Sheboygan, Stoughton, Wausau and West Bend.
World-wide travel available on a case-by-case basis.

Proof of insurance available upon request.


Examples: Digitizing Works on Paper

Click on a picture to see a larger version and more information


Digital Capture vs Scanning: Pros and Cons

Digital Capture or Scanning, what is the difference?

Digital Capture

Pros:

  • Least expensive
  • Fast and reliable with excellent resolution
    • Digital Capture images are higher than scanner in most cases
    • Excellent print quality up to 40×60 inches
  • Newer Technology with greater tonal and color range
  • Greater digital noise control
  • RAW File type available for post-process editing
  • Greatest dynamic range and image latitude
    • Able to pull an image from the densest negatives
  • Superior clarity
    • Truly able to focus on emulsion surface
    • We employ the latest lens technologies for industry leading clarity
  • Greatest flexibility and capabilities
    • Excellent for any media types
    • Unlimited by scale, dimension or condition
    • Able to include sprocket holes and full frames
    • Able to digitize uncut rolls of film
    • Able to digitize cut film1 see cons
    • Non-Newtonian glass mounts eliminate [Newton rings]
    • Superior color calibration
    • Greatest available tonal and color range
    • Excellent for all types of media
      • Unlimited by scale, dimension or condition
    • Can be used with Fluid Mounting to reduce scratches2 see Fluid Mount cons

    Cons:

    • No automatic image reversal
      • Orange masking in color negatives must be compensated for manually
      • RAW editor curves are inverted
    • File resolution cannot be saved above 999ppi/dpi
      • Limitation of the software
    • Excellent for any media types
      • 1Cut film slows process, generating higher costs
    Standard Film Scanning

    Pros:

    • Excellent resolution
    • Great for most films types
    • Best option in specific cases
    • Great for Polaroid and Instax prints and Glass Plate Negatives
    • Non-Newtonian glass mounts eliminate [Newton rings]

    Cons:

    • Expensive
    • Aging and limited technology
    • Slow process with limited output options
      • File type restricted to TIFF
    • Limited dynamic range
      • Difficult or impossible to scan dense images
    • Limited scanning area
      • Limited by scanner dimensions
      • Unable to include sprocket holes
      • Unable to scan uncut rolls of film
    • Not ideal for film with scratches or blemishes
    Fluid Mount Film Scanning

    Pros:

    • Excellent resolution
    • Exceptional for sheet films
    • Greater scanning area3 See Cons:
      • Able to include sprocket holes
    • Cleaner appearing scan:
      • Reduces or eliminates most scratches and blemishes
    • Films lays truly flat
    • Non-Newtonian glass mounts eliminate [Newton rings]

    Cons:

    • Most Expensive
    • Greater risks:
      • Risk to delicate and unknown film types
      • Health risks to the technician
      • Environmental hazards
    • 2,3Limited by scanner dimensions
      • Unable to scan uncut rolls of film
    • Limited use cases. Cannot be used with:
      • Paper negatives, Instax or Polaroid images
      • Mounted slides
      • Magic Lantern slides or similarly sandwiched glass slides

    FAQs

    What is your turnaround time?

    Depends on the complexity of the project and our current workload. In many cases we are able to have your images ready within a few days to a week.

    Do you color correct, white balance, dust correct scans?

    Yes. We correct the color and tone based on what should be natural for the photo. Our system is color controlled from start to finish to give us optimal results.

    If you prefer to conduct your own tonal and color corrections, please indicate this when contacting us.

    Can you print my scans?

    Yes! Check out our Photo Printing Services to find out more, or click on the Get Started button above!

    Do you scan artwork / documents / works on paper?

    Yes. Check our Documentation and Digital Capture Services for more, or click on the Get Started button above!


    Please view our agreement regarding the shipping, handling, processing and possession of your Media. Additionally our Terms and Conditions may be found here. Terms and Conditions and Handling of Media Agreement is subject to change without notice.


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