BleepingComputer.com: Scanning Images From Magazine

Hi, does anyone know how to get a good scanned picture from printed materials? (magazine, postcard, brochures, etc).

For example, my son loves Pokemon, and asked me to scan in some images from his trading card deck. Then enlarge it and make a wall paper for his computer. My problem is, the enlarged images has lots of 'noise' (is that what u call it?) or shall I say 'dots' or 'grains' ??? Is it possible to get a crisp clear sharp images from printed material without the dots? I have tried the option 'descreen printed original' from my scanner, and tried scanning in 600dpi but it still dont looks that good.

*Im currently using HP Scanjet 3400C (it's a bit old, but its faithfull, working fine)

Thanks

-veronica yeoh-

When you scan an image, you have just so much information about that image, stored.
When you try to enlarge the image, the program has to "guess" what is to occupy the additional space between the pixels, created by the enlargement.
Most programs aren't very good at "guessing".
I imagine, there are some high-end (expensive) image editing programs that are better at "guessing", than other programs, but I can't say for sure.
Even then, I'd imagine the results would be mediocre, at best.

I found a few wallpapers online, that you might be able to use:
3D Pokemon Wallpaper - 800 x 600, and 1024 x 768
Some more 3D - 800 x 600

tg1911 nailed that one, that's exactly what's happening (interpolation, it's the area that's between the pixels, as pixels are shaped like stop signs, so when you put them together, there's an "empty" spot in between them that the program has to guess what color or information should go there). Photoshop does really good with guessing what's in there, depending on the method that you use to do so. Photoshop can be yours for the low low price of about $600

One thing about your post that I noticed is that you are scanning at 600 dpi....I should think that it's "overscanning" IMHO. One thing to keep in mind when scanning an image that you're not going to print and will only use for viewing on a computer screen is that most monitors only display at 72 dpi. Sooooo...if you're scanning in at 600 dpi, and will only view the image at 72 dpi....big difference! Also, scanning at that high of a dpi will pick up every little thing that's on the image, including dust and hair. You can manually lower the resolution of your scan right from within the scanner itself. Also, if you're enlarging it, you should be able to adjust the output size (enlarge to etc. etc.) from within the scanner settings. This will help you to avoid taking an image that's normally 2 inches wide by 3 inches tall and literally stretching it to be 8 inches wide by 10 inches tall (out of proportion, I know, but it's just an example ), which will stretch the pixels in turn making the entire image look bad.

Now, on the other end of the spectrum, scanning at to low of a setting (low dpi), then when you look at it, it's going to look bad anyways, simply from a lack of quality. I tend to scan at 80 dpi for the web or 200 dpi if I'm going to print.

Best thing to do if you're wanting to scan images to display on your computer is to find them on the internet, as they'll already be designed and ready for "web use", so they're pratically guarenteed to look good! tg1911 has provided links that should be able to help you find what you're looking for!

Thanks for the reply, tg1911 & stevealmighty.

This is the 1st time I scan a picture to make a wallpaper. I normally scan at high dpi (300) when I edit pictures with photoshop. I once used 600dpi to scan in my dad's driving license (abt 1" by 1.5") photo to enlarge it to 8R size, when he pass away months ago. That's the only photo of my dad I have. I got to use photoshop to edit/touch up it as the original photo is crinkly, old and torn. So I might be too carried away the idea of high res scanning, not knowing I only need 72dpi for comp wallpaper. (to me Big dpi = big picture, lol) Now I understand after steve explained it.
Regarding the Pokemon, I appreaciate your link, my son is happy to when I showed it to him. But he wish me to scan in his 'prize card' with all the 'power details' below the card. Meantime he's enjoying changing his wallpaper in almost daily basis after I got them from tg1911's link.

Another thing, I need to to scan from magazine, catalog, brochures for my mom because she's starting a side income selling products for a few company. So she want a 'personnal brochure / catalog' which I will make for her, then later maybe send it to offset printings.

You're welcome, Verons88.
Glad your son liked the links.