Scanning Scroll Saw Wood Working and Crafts Pattern Insert

[BadBob]

I am working on a project that requires me to scan an old large-format plan. I took it to FedXOffice to scan it, and I also took an insert from the SSWC Fall 2024 Issue 96. I wanted to find out what it costs to use their large-format scanner. It was easy, and they made an excellent scan. The pricing is based on the size of the scan. It is calculated in the scanner, and you will know how much it will cost once you scan it. The bottom line is that scanning both sides cost me $21.58.

It worked great I was able to extract the Stylized Buck pattern and convert it to SVG using Gimp and Inkscape.

The file is a JPG encapsulated in a PDF. However, I did see on the screen that there were other options. I let them do it in PDF to see what format it was stored in.

[Denny Knappen]

On patterns larger than my scanner can handle, I put a pencil line down half the pattern, print both pieces and attach to the wood using the line as a guide.

[don in brooklin on]

The reason I  won't subscribe to Scrollsaw Workshop is the problems scanning the insert in the middle.  I have had a number of discussions back and forth and they are stuck in the dark ages. Would be easy to make available with your customer ID and a password in magazine. 

I now wait till they issue the DVD and I read the old issues and am able to get patterns digitally. On the recent DVD the centre spread takes a little work.

I  now have issues 1-84 that way.

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

When I was scrolling alot, I would use FedX all the time. Years ago when I first started I would just scan in sections and then put together with tape. Well back then copiers were not that reliable and many times each page was just a little off in size. I use to look for that good scanner in wherever I was trying. Lot different today.  

[Roberta Moreton]

I guess I’m old fashioned. I loosen the staples, remove the insert refasten the staples and keep the insert with the magazine. 
put the area I want to make a copy of on my printer and press copy. I don’t do that digital stuff. 

[kmmcrafts]

Whenever I needed to scan one of those I scanned it right into the garbage can and found the original artist online and purchased the electronic file directly from them.. Now it's a file that is always there in my computer and several back-up drives just in case one crashes I'll still have the copy.. Learned that lesson the hard way...

Just as Don said.. I quit subscribing many years ago due to those patterns being all on those huge sheets and on both sides.. so if you crinkle up for a pattern on the front you essentially ruin the pattern on the back side. 

I live in a pretty rural secluded area and it's a good 10 - 15 miles to a scanner that I also have to pay to use.. etc.. just seems most logical to me to look up the artist online and support them with buying the electronic file.. simple for me to use anytime I need it then, plus supports that artist.. 

[barb.j.enders]

13 hours ago, Roberta Moreton said:

I guess I’m old fashioned. I loosen the staples, remove the insert refasten the staples and keep the insert with the magazine. 
put the area I want to make a copy of on my printer and press copy. I don’t do that digital stuff. 

This is what I do as well!

[BadBob]

My purpose in scanning these was to determine the cost of scanning SSWC patterns using a large-format scanner. I wanted to share this so that if someone else considered doing this, they would know how much it costs.

I am currently working on moving most of my paper to digital form, and this is one option I explored. I have already shipped off all of my books with patterns to be scanned. There are several options for scanning the large format patterns, many of which are mentioned here.

[barb.j.enders]

I recently went to Staples to have an intarsia pattern scanned.  I was going to have to leave it there for them to do.  They said they had on-line orders to get through first.  What ever happened to customer service?  In my mind, a person, in store, should come first.

[BadBob]

21 minutes ago, barb.j.enders said:

I recently went to Staples to have an intarsia pattern scanned.  I was going to have to leave it there for them to do.  They said they had on-line orders to get through first.  What ever happened to customer service?  In my mind, a person, in store, should come first.

FedX Office offers self-service for its scanners. My local Stapes also has self-service scanners, but it doesn't have large-format scanners.

[kmmcrafts]

14 hours ago, Roberta Moreton said:

I guess I’m old fashioned. I loosen the staples, remove the insert refasten the staples and keep the insert with the magazine. 
put the area I want to make a copy of on my printer and press copy. I don’t do that digital stuff. 

The few times I did scan a copy this is what I did.. but in order to get the paper pattern to fit into my scanner I'd have to fold it all up in a wadded mess to get the paper small enough to fit into the scanner.. then any of the other patterns I may want to use get creases in them and from there it's always been best to get a nice clean copy by just buying and downloading the pattern from the artist. You get much cleaner lines.. Though maybe it was old scanner issues.. as I haven't done this in years.. maybe scanner quality has improved a lot since 2005 ish..  but back then I'd get all kinds of light and dark areas in my scan because the lid of the scanner is lifted up from a 1/2 thick wadded up paper you stuff in trying to make a copy, LOL 

[Roberta Moreton]

56 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

The few times I did scan a copy this is what I did.. but in order to get the paper pattern to fit into my scanner I'd have to fold it all up in a wadded mess to get the paper small enough to fit into the scanner.. then any of the other patterns I may want to use get creases in them and from there it's always been best to get a nice clean copy by just buying and downloading the pattern from the artist. You get much cleaner lines.. Though maybe it was old scanner issues.. as I haven't done this in years.. maybe scanner quality has improved a lot since 2005 ish..  but back then I'd get all kinds of light and dark areas in my scan because the lid of the scanner is lifted up from a 1/2 thick wadded up paper you stuff in trying to make a copy, LOL 

It doesn’t all have to fit, just the part you want. Maybe I just use a large printer and you have a small scanner?

[rash_powder]

Our engineering department at work has a scanner that can scan very large prints.  No problem to scan prints bigger than those inserts.  

Maybe hit up a print shop, or better still an engineering outfit that is local to you.  They will likely be able to scan things quite easily for you.  They will also quite likely have a plotter to print out things as well as big as you like. 

[BadBob]

You can scan patterns with your phone. The creases are still an issue.

I have played around with this and found two problems besides the creases. Lighting without glare is an issue that can be fixed easily. The other problem I encountered was that the camera needed to parallel the pattern, or you would get some distortion. This can be fixed with an overhead phone mount. They make lots of these, and some come with software. Most phone cameras have wide-angle lenses, which would also distort the image slightly.

[kmmcrafts]

42 minutes ago, Roberta Moreton said:

It doesn’t all have to fit, just the part you want. Maybe I just use a large printer and you have a small scanner?

My scanner is 8.5 x 11 like a standard sheet of paper.. if the pattern I want is in the middle of this large insert you have to either fold it to get to the pattern you want or cut it out.. cutting it out you ruin the patterns that they have printed on the back side.. in some cases I'd get marks scanned in the middle of my pattern because of the lines from the pattern on the back too.. Probably was just a cheap scanner being almost 20 years ago.. Haven't tried my new scanner/printer for this purpose maybe I should. The one back in the day that I had if ANY light at all seeped past the scanner lid it'd make a large black streak where the light was at making the pattern unrecognizable in that area.. I'd have the big sheet all folded up and have to hold down on the scanner lid the best i could to keep the light out, LOL..  the frustration was enough I just search out the designer and buy it if I want it that bad.. 

[kmmcrafts]

13 minutes ago, BadBob said:

You can scan patterns with your phone. The creases are still an issue.

I have played around with this and found two problems besides the creases. Lighting without glare is an issue that can be fixed easily. The other problem I encountered was that the camera needed to parallel the pattern, or you would get some distortion. This can be fixed with an overhead phone mount. They make lots of these, and some come with software. Most phone cameras have wide-angle lenses, which would also distort the image slightly.

I have in more recent times just taken a photo of patterns and then email them to myself so I could get the pattern into inkscape and edit how I need.. Back in the day when I had a subscription to the magazines I didn't have a camera on my flip phone, LOL.. How much tech has changed in 20 years. LOL 

For me, I want electronic file anyway so the next time I need to make a copy I don't have to go through the scanning process again..