Knowledge Centre • Artwork & Visual Materials

Parchment & Artwork Scanning

Parchment can be uneven, curled, translucent and highly sensitive to handling, making non-contact imaging particularly useful.

A reprographic camera setup can accommodate irregular surfaces and reduce the need to force parchment flat. Suitable supports and controlled lighting are important.

Standards context: The National Archives lists parchment among materials requiring specialist digitisation and safe handling. citeturn0search3

Parchment digitisation

The capture method should be selected around the original object, its condition and the purpose of the digital master. Suitable material may be captured with a WideTEK 36 ART, reprographic camera system or flatbed solution, while delicate, oversized or surface-sensitive work may require a non-contact approach.

Materials and considerations

Parchment documents

Considered as part of the specialist capture and quality-control workflow for this material.

Illuminated parchment

Considered as part of the specialist capture and quality-control workflow for this material.

Charters

Considered as part of the specialist capture and quality-control workflow for this material.

Deeds

Considered as part of the specialist capture and quality-control workflow for this material.

Parchment artwork

Considered as part of the specialist capture and quality-control workflow for this material.

Historic manuscripts

Considered as part of the specialist capture and quality-control workflow for this material.

Key considerations

  • Parchment documents
  • Illuminated parchment
  • Charters
  • Deeds
  • Parchment artwork
  • Historic manuscripts

Need an artwork scanning specification?

We can assess the size, material, condition and intended use of your artwork or visual collection and recommend an appropriate capture method and digital output.