Whether you just want to archive your work or you plan on starting a small business, the best art scanner is a valuable addition to any artist. Not everyone is inclined to use art tablets, some still prefer traditional pen and paper and other tangible mediums. Turning traditionally-made artworks can be turned into digital art with the help of a scanner. It’s also a good option not just for saving it up on your computer but also for art reproduction purposes.
Professionally, the drum scanner is the tool for scanning art. However, these units can cost thousands of dollars. Not to mention, they can take up a lot of space in your make-shift office or home studio. Not to worry, as there are scanners that can do the job minus the high price tag and the large footprint. Check out some of the best art scanners for artworks below:
Best Art Scanner: Epson
With a maximum resolution of 6400 x 9600 dpi, the Epson V600 is able to give just to your work. It can capture the faintest or lightest details, making it an excellent option for scanning watercolor art. This unit also has a 3.4 Dmax optical density, allowing to record both highlights and shadows of films. With that, a transparency unit film holder is built into the scanner.
The exceptional image quality of the Epson V600 even allows it to scan 3D objects. This eco-friendly unit does not require any warm-up time for usage plus heat dissipation is low. Its LED light source is also free from mercury.
The Epson V600 is easy to use and offers convenient functions, such as instant scan and copy, scan-to-email, and PDF creation. You can do all these with the one-touch buttons on the unit.
Best Printer Scanner for Art Prints: Canon
Artists who plan on starting up a business will do well by opting for a unit that can print and scan. Just imagine if you create calligraphy invitations, you can simply scan the original and then print the rest. That can save you a huge chunk of your time and resources.
One such unit you can check out is the TS8220 from Canon. This all-in-one printer has excellent features to help you out. It also doesn’t hurt that this printer/scanner has a sleek design and can easily match your studio’s or office’s aesthetics.
For starters, the Canon TS8220 has a scanner with a maximum resolution of 2400 x 4800 dpi. For printing, it uses a 6-ink system, including the usual CMY and black plus a photo blue cartridge. To make things easier for you, this unit allows you to create disc labels!
The Canon TS8220 has a touch LCD with intuitive control plus a card reader for quick prints. For even better digitization, this unit is wireless and allows scan-to-email, AirPrint, and more. Finally, you can use your smartphone or even Alexa with the printer/scanner.
Best Cheap Scanner for Art: Visioneer
Now, scanners in general aren’t cheap. But it is possible to find a functional one that won’t break the bank. Look into the Visioneer 7800, a PC-compatible scanner that offers a maximum resolution of 1200 dpi. It weighs less than 4lbs and has a slim design. Since it is USB powered, there is no need for a power cord for this unit.
Scanning to PC or cloud can be done with the Visioneer 7800. You can even scan multiple artworks at once (that is if your pieces are on the smaller side). If you are just starting out on digitization, this is a good unit to set up with. It helps that it has a small footprint so it’ll fit in a tiny studio and it’ll be easy to bring with you if you switch spaces.
Best Scanner for Art Reproduction: Plustek
If your artworks are on the larger side, you might want to see the Plustek OpticPro A320L. This scanner has a maximum scan area of 12 x 17 inches or an A3. Using CCD Sony ILX560K technology, this scanner can capture the amazing depth and details of your work. It’s probably the best scanner for line art and even use for fabrics.
The Charged Coupled Device or CCD is different from CIS scanners as it uses dual light sources. This in turn results in a uniform result with the shadow’s images. You can expect a wider color range as well as lower noise on your scans. The Plustek OpticPro delivers vibrant images with detailed darks and has a maximum resolution of 1600 dpi
One of the best features of this Plustek scanner is it can scan even when your artwork is hovering and not necessarily pressed onto the glass. This is best for masterpieces that you want to be careful with. Scans will still be clear even with a 10mm space between the scanner’s glass and the artwork. You’ll still be able to see rich details, from oil painting strokes to textures of cracks and more.
Best Overhead Scanner for Art: Fujitsu
Depending on the work that you do, the best scanner for art is one that doesn’t require any contact. If you prefer your artwork to not touch any glass without hovering, you might want to look into the Fujitsu SV600. This overhead scanner can be purchased with an optional scan mat to make sure the paper is straight. It’ll also help determine the scan size.
There won’t be any accidental damages to your masterpiece when you opt for an overhead scanner. The Fujitsu SV600 can even scan multiple works at once. This unit combines LED optics and CCD technology for quick and accurate scans. It is able to scan as fast as 3 seconds per page on A3 landscape with a maximum resolution of 1200 dpi for monochrome.
Getting the Right Scanner
If you have trouble picking out which scanner is best for you, here are some things you can consider:
Space
Not all artists have a large studio so be considerate of your desk or the space where you work. You won’t always be using a scanner, so make sure you have a spot for it when you are focused on your actual art.
Art
The type of art that you do is one of the main points for consideration when picking out a scanner. If most of your work is flat, then you can choose a flatbed scanner with a lower resolution. However, if you tend to have greater details, a high-resolution scanner goes a long way.
- Size
Ideally, artwork should be scanned in just one go but what if you do pieces that are bigger than an A4 or an A3? This means you have to scan in “pieces” one portion at a time. So, pick a scanner that can accommodate that.
- Medium
What kind of medium do you use? Is it watercolor? Crayons? Felt tip liners and pens? Are these the type that can go easily on a piece of paper and can be flattened? What if you prefer mixed media and tend to work with yarn, 3D objects, and textiles? The medium that you use will heavily influence the type of scanner you should get.
Connectivity
This is crucial for your scanning needs, and yet, some people tend to forget about it. The connectivity and compatibility of the scanner with the devices that you use are highly important. You wouldn’t want to purchase an expensive scanner only to find out it doesn’t work with your laptop, right?
It can also be helpful to have a wireless scanner if you don’t want extra wires cluttering your space. It’s also possible to save time if you can scan directly to your smart device or if the scanner comes with helpful editing and cropping software
Final Thoughts
All of the scanners listed can help you with your art digitization, archival, and reproduction. However, the best art scanner will depend on your own needs and preferences and of course, your art.
Enjoyed this post on the best art scanner? If so, please check out our other articles, such as the best pens for line art or the best mandala coloring books! Thank you for reading!