A3 Flatbed Scanners (film & artwork) - What You Need to Know
When it comes to scanning artwork, a regular office scanner just won’t do.
You need something that’s detailed, high-performance, and allows you to customise and adjust the settings for different types of media and artwork.
That includes preserving subtle colour variations, delicate shading, and the smaller details that make your work unique, so it translates as you intended it to on screen. But with such a difference in price between entry-level and professional scanners, how do you know which one to choose?
Our quick guide will help you understand what really matters when choosing a scanner for artwork, so you can find a scanner that can handle watercolour paintings, detailed illustrations or pencil drawings with care.
Why does scanner technology matter for artwork?
One of the biggest differences between A3 artwork scanners is the technology used to capture an image.
CCD (charge-coupled device) scanners use an optical system of mirrors and reduction lenses to capture the original piece. They capture light with a linear or array CCD chip, giving detailed colour documents greater depth of field and sharpness, which works well for capturing artwork on textured paper or originals that don't lie perfectly flat.
CIS (contact image sensor) scanners are often more affordable and compact. They can capture flat drawings and printed images, but their shallow depth of field can make raised or uneven areas look out of focus, so they don’t work as well with watercolour paintings or slightly warped paper.
What resolution do you need for scanning artwork?
Resolution is measured in dpi (dots per inch), although ppi (pixels per inch) more accurately describes the digital image being captured.
300ppi is generally a good starting point for high-quality prints that are being scanned at their original size. However, scanning at 600ppi gives you more flexibility to enlarge or crop the image without losing as much detail.
For example, scanning an A3 illustration at 600ppi produces enough pixels to create an A1-sized print at about 300ppi, provided the scanner captures enough detail from the original.
If you want to scan more intricate illustrations, fine line drawings or archival reproductions, you’ll need an artwork scanner with a higher scanning resolution of 1200ppi.
Even so, higher resolution doesn't automatically improve image quality, so you’ll also need to consider the scanner’s effective optical resolution rather than interpolated resolution, which adds pixels in software without capturing additional detail.
Also take into account bit depth, tone range, and colour accuracy when scanning professional artwork. An A3 scanner for artwork that captures 16 bits per colour channel (48-bit RGB), combined with suitable colour management, gives you more freedom when retouching subtle gradients, shadows, and highlights.
Best scanners for artwork: our shortlist
| Scanner | Best for | What to consider |
|---|
| Plustek OpticPro A320E |
Entry-level artists, illustrations, and flat artwork |
It’s an affordable CCD model with 800dpi optical resolution |
| Microtek ArtixScan 3200XL |
Professional image reproduction and archival scanning |
It has 3200 x 6400dpi optical resolution and comes with specialist imaging software |
| WideTEK 25-650 A2+ |
Large original pieces and artwork with visible textured surfaces |
Specialist A2+ flatbed with texture-enhancing scanning capabilities |
Practical tips for getting better artwork scans
Even the best professional scanner for artwork needs the right setup to produce consistent results.
Before you start scanning, make sure the glass bed is clean and free of dust or fingerprints; otherwise, they’ll show up in your scans, especially against pale backgrounds and flat-colour areas.
If your artwork has a textured surface, avoid pressing it firmly against the glass just to make it lie flat, as it could damage delicate media, such as pastel or charcoal. Instead, photograph them using controlled lighting for a clear image.
It's also sensible to keep an unedited master copy of your scan, preferably in a lossless format such as TIFF. That way, you can create smaller JPEG files for your website or portfolio without repeatedly editing the original file.
It’s also best not to rely entirely on automatic colour correction. Software adjustments can improve a scan, but they may also change subtle washes or neutral tones, so always compare the result with the original to understand what needs adjusting.
What if your artwork is larger than A3?
If you work a lot with A2 paper artwork, large canvases, or oversized illustrations, an A2 scanner for artwork can save time by capturing larger originals without needing to stitch multiple scans together.
Our WideTEK 25-650 A2+ Flatbed Art Scanner is a great option for professional studios and organisations that handle larger pieces. It also offers specialist scanning features designed to bring out surface texture on scans.
FAQs
Can I scan watercolour paintings without losing detail?
Yes, but the result depends on the type of scanner you use and the condition of the paper.
Watercolour washes can be difficult to reproduce accurately, especially when colours are very pale or the paper is warped, but a good CCD scanner with good colour controls can create detailed scans.
Can you scan oil paintings or textured canvas?
Some specialist scanners can capture textured surfaces, but heavily raised paint can be difficult to reproduce accurately on a conventional flatbed.
That’s why it may be best to professionally photograph artwork with three-dimensional or fragile surfaces instead for a more accurate result.
Should I scan artwork in JPEG or TIFF?
For a high-quality master file, TIFF is usually the better option because it supports lossless image storage.
However, if you want to sell prints or share artwork online, JPEG is more convenient for portfolios, websites, and sharing because it keeps file sizes smaller for more detailed and high-quality uploads.
