SEEING A FUTURE IN SCANNERS
Scan volume may be down at prepress and printing firms, but scanners aren't by any means out of the production picture.
by Susan Friedman, Editor
Decline, yes. Demise, no. Or is the picture that simple for the use of scans in graphic file production? A recent study conducted by TrendWatch/Cahners Inc. stated the percentage of creative professionals intending to purchase scanners is at its lowest level in years, primarily because of the rising use of digital cameras, digital file storage, and digital file transmission.
Dave Watson, VP/packaging at prepress trade shop American Color, reports a reduction in scan use that echoes the tone of the TrendWatch findings. "... it's not a decrease in just the last year," Watson elaborates. "It's been a steady decline to the point of not being worth it to even purchase a scanner."
Gerry Fitzgerald Sr., VP/technology and prepress at Color Associates, emphasizes the multiple forces at work in the evolution of scan use. "Over the past several years our scanning volume has declined due to several factors: software programs such as Adobe Illustrator, which reduced the number of scans of illustrated artwork; digital files supplied from our customers; and digital asset management that enables one image originally scanned many times at different facilities for separate purposes, to now be accessed immediately at multiple locations via the Internet."
The fact that scanning volume has declined doesn't mean scanners themselves are on the way to obsolescence. It's important to note that scanner technological advances, such as the ability to re-purpose and re-utilize scans, have made significant improvements in scanner productivity, Fitzgerald notes, reducing the time previously devoted to scanning.
Where the sales are
Technology providers depict scanner purchasing patterns as in more of a shift than a decline. Clive Green, UK sales manager for Global Graphics Hardware, comments, "The trend we observe is that image capture is shifting away from the printer towards the creative end of the process."
"Key to understanding changes in purchasing plans is that the point of origination for images is broader," echoes Don Rogers, scanner product manager, Heidelberg USA. "Downstreaming of the process is occuring, so of course scans are down at trade shops and printing firms. Many scanners have been sold to image bank companies."
Bill Gillooly, EverSmart product line manager for CreoScitex Input Systems Division, contends there is still a healthy appetite for scanners in the package printing segment, and cites particular interest from smaller printers. "In the current market, the largest effects we see have been due to consolidation and centralization of scanning centers," he says.
The ultimate future of scanning technology, of course, hinges on whether digital image capture ever completely eclipses the use of photographic film. For now, the two technologies must continue to coexist. "Scans can complement digital images," observes Ali Atash, scanner product manager for Epson. "All the components together can create flexibility."
Though cost barriers to digital image capture continue to abate, digital cameras are not yet the standard for image creation. "Some photographic styles simply can't be achieved through digital means," Atash notes, citing certain types of lighting and graininess.
Rogers identifies other limitations: "With digital capture, you can never go back to the original. Color can be corrected or augmented, but other aspects of the original, such as graininess, can't be changed."
New technological heights
For the moment, film still claims a firm place in the production process. And if you are considering a scanner upgrade, it's an opportune time to make an investment. "Scanner prices are moving downward and becoming more competitive," Rogers reports. "Mid-range scanners are becoming more of a commodity product, although high-end drum scanners with high optical resolution and Dmax over 4.0 are adding automation and software advances."
Flatbed scanners, which use charge coupled devices (CCDs) to collect image data, have historically been weaker than drum scanners in terms of maximum density performance, or darker areas of images. Drum scanners, which use more sophisticated photomultiplier tube (PMT) sensors, are known for higher quality in shadow areas. Recent flatbed introductions, however, aim to close the gap.
"Goals of development [for flatbed scanners] include increased dynamic range," confirms Atash. "For under $1,000 you can get a 3.6 dynamic range, versus several thousand dollars more for 3.8 range or better." Epson's Expression 1640XL flatbed scanner, which sells for under $3,000, offers 3.6 maximum density, 1,600 dpi optical resolution, and a maximum resolution of 12,800 x 12,800 dpi (interpolated).
Creo's EverSmart™ flatbed scanners feature XY-Stitch™ technology, which can scan any size original at full optical resolution—a capability previously exclusive to drum scanners. CCD Dynamic Cooling developed for the EverSmart Supreme allows it to capture a full 4.0 dynamic range—another capability formerly owned by drum scanners.
What should the most discriminating scanner shoppers seek as top priorities? Suppliers mention capturing color with the greatest shadow detail; high-performance copydot scanning capability; and accommodation of large-format originals.
An acronym gaining particular momentum in the scanning camp is SOOM (scan once, output many); software developments are integral to feeding its strides forward. "With scanner hardware technologies maturing and optical resolution reaching the 12,000 dpi mark, most of the action now is in software to accommodate ... service providers who need to scan a high-res, high-quality RGB color file once and re-purpose that file according to their customers' design needs," confirms Global Graphics' Green.
Global Graphics' scanxact™ II software has the ability to open and process third party RGB TIFF images; to import ICC input, output, and monitor profiles; and to interactively view and edit images with the profiles applied.
Heidelberg's NewColor 7000 Professional software, used with its Primescan drum scanners and Nexscan flatbed scanners, now provides integrated ICC profiles and profile editing tools—Scanopen, Viewopen, and Printopen—to ensure consistency in scanning, viewing, and printing. "Package printers are looking for quality over productivity," Rogers sums up. "That is, how long does it take to make a good scan through the process that looks right on press?"
