Scanning a document

[ssim]

I have a 8.5X11 letterhead that I want to scan into a word document to make it a *.dot file. I've been putzing with this for awhile and am having no luck. Anyone have any suggestions. I am using a Epson Perfection 3200 scanner. :?: :?:

[Scottes]

Scan in Grey-Scale mode at twice the resolution you'll be printing at. So most likely scan at 600 dpi.

Pull it into PS play with the contrast (simple Levels is fine) and make sure the background is pure white and the text pure black. Maybe some sharpening, too, if appropriate.

Click on Image... Trim to crop it to the smallest dimensions. Convert to 8-Bit and Mode... Greyscale (if appropriate).

Save as a GIF if greyscale, TIFF if color.

Exit PS, enter Word.

View... Header & Footer. Insert... Picture... From File and add the image. Use the little handles in the corner to size it correctly.

Do anything else in the Header & Footer that you wish to have. And the same for the Doc itself.

File... Save As... set "Save As Type" to Template.

Done.


Be aware that this is not the *best* way to do it since the image will add quite some size to any document you save, and will also add to printing time. The *right* way would be to use some Tracing program (Adobe Illustrator is mediocre but will do the job - but there are far more far better) and convert it to a vector-based format like WMF or EPS. PS CS will let you save as EPS but it will be a binary raster encoded in an EPS type, so that's basically worthless. GIF is much better for simple raster info.

Converting a color letterhead to vector can be a *real* pain, especially if color accuracy is desired.