What is a Large Format Scanner

A large format scanner is a special scanner that, as the name suggests, is used for digitising large scale images. Typically, such scanners are sheet-fed or roll-fed. Sometimes, these are very large flatbed scanners.

The average coverage area for a large format scanner is 34x36 inches. This is approximately 3 feet by 3 feet. Large format scanners, thus, can be quite large in size, taking up significant room. Fortunately, most such scanners come with their own stand with wheels and thus, can be moved about easily.

Large format scanners are typically light based working on the same principal as your average office flatbed scanner. The light reflected off the images is converted into digital data which can be stored and manipulated on the computer.

As you might have guessed, large format scanners, because of their size and specialized application, are fairly expensive. You won't find such machines in a typical office, unless you happen to work in an architectural or design firm that requires the digitizing of large sheets. Such scanners can also be found in the offices of large newspapers where they are used to digitize old archived copies.

Another widespread application of large format scanners is in the preservation of archaeological or cultural artefacts. Old manuscripts, maps, even indigenous textile patterns are digitized through such scanners. As such, large format scanners have been enormously valuable in preserving the heritage of a place.

The microfilm that you might have used in your research papers as a high school or college student was probably digitized using a large format scanner. This allows newspapers and government agencies to keep records of old, important data without having to worry about keeping the physical items safe from fire, water damage, or decay.

Large format scanners, thus, have a lot of uses in a wide variety of settings. They are expensive because of their size, but it is their very size that makes them such useful devices.