Industry Overview
Image quality testing plays a foundational role in the digitization and archiving industry, where the primary goal is to ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of documents, text, and images of cultural, historical, and legal significance. Image quality testing provides a method for evaluating and controlling scanner and imaging workflow performance, ensuring that digitized materials accurately represent the original content. Poor image quality can significantly damage the preservation of cultural heritage. Inadequate resolution, for example, can render small text unreadable, while excessive noise can obscure critical details in manuscripts, maps, and photographs. Color inaccuracies, meanwhile, may alter the interpretation of artworks or historical documents. Testing scanner image quality requires advanced test equipment and technology. We offer a wide range of solutions, including multispectral illumination and unique test charts explicitly designed for scanners.
Image quality testing plays a foundational role in the archiving industry, where the primary goal is to ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of documents, text, and images of cultural, historical, and legal significance. Image quality testing provides a method for evaluating and controlling scanner and imaging workflow performance, ensuring that digitized materials accurately represent the original content.
Poor image quality can significantly damage the preservation of cultural heritage. Inadequate resolution, for example, can render small text unreadable, while excessive noise can obscure critical details in manuscripts, maps, and photographs. Color inaccuracies, meanwhile, may alter the interpretation of artworks or historical documents.
Testing scanner image quality requires advanced test equipment and technology. We offer a wide range of solutions, including multispectral illumination and unique test charts explicitly designed for scanners.
Main Applications
A look at the crucial applications when determining the image quality performance of scanners in the archiving industry
Multispectral Illumination
Camera Resolution
Poor resolution can lead to a loss of texture and fine details. It is crucial to evaluate the resolution performance of scanners in the archiving industry.
Color Accuracy
Dynamic Range
Many old documents and images are only black and white. Dynamic range is vital for understanding how well a scanner reproduces content in both dark and bright areas.
International Standards Relevant to Archiving
A look at the essential standards related to the relevant image quality factors of scanners in the archiving industry.
ISO 12233 - Resolution
ISO 21550 - Dynamic Range
Metamorfoze
ISO 19264
Outlines the metrics and methods for analyzing the performance of imaging systems (e.g., scanners) in the cultural heritage industry.
Key Products
Specifically designed test equipment for measuring the performance of scanners in the archiving industry.
iQ-Analyzer-X CH
iQ-Multispectral
Universal Test Target (UTT)
TE258
The purpose of the chart is to characterise slide/print scanners.
Scan Reference Chart
A chart with gray steps and color patches for the automatic analysis of each scanned page to determine if a specific page is out of its specifications.
Scanner Test Services
Send us your scanner!
We house one of the world's largest independent and objective camera and scanner test labs. For over twenty years, we have provided objective scanner tests to companies looking to improve the image quality performance of their scanner.
Our test lab has been working with archiving professionals for years to help them test the image quality performance of their scanners. When testing these scanners, we use the iQ-Multispectral and Universal Test Target (UTT) to create an ideal test setup for accurate measurements. Many of our engineers are actively engaged in discussions and attend archiving industry conferences to keep our test methods and equipment up to date with the latest trends.
Check out our test lab pages to learn more.
Example Test Solutions
Test Setup 1: Multispectral
The goal of this test solution is to evaluate the image quality factors essential to scanners in the archiving industry. Factors include dynamic range, resolution, noise, and color accuracy.
Ideal equipment:
iQ-Multispectral – Multispectral illumination
Universal Test Target – Multipurpose test chart
iQ-Analyzer-X CH – Analysis software
This setup is built around the iQ-Multispectral, an illumination device based on iQ-LED technology that enhances digitization and the preservation of documents, texts, or images. The Universal Test Target (UTT) provides a multipurpose test target for testing the crucial factors. Finally, the iQ-Analyzer-X CH is an optimized version of the software for the archiving industry and the UTT.
Test Setup 2: Scanner Basic
The goal of this test solution is to evaluate the image quality factors essential to scanners in the archiving industry. Factors include dynamic range, resolution, noise, and color accuracy.
Ideal equipment:
Studio Lights – Reflective target illumination
Universal Test Target – Multipurpose test chart
iQ-Analyzer-X CH – Analysis software
This setup provides our basic Studio Lights, standard RGBW lights, for test chart illumination. The Universal Test Target (UTT) provides a multipurpose test target for testing the crucial factors. Finally, the iQ-Analyzer-X CH is an optimized version of the software for the archiving industry and the UTT.