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Top 8 Best Scanner For Artwork In 2023 Review

It has been more than 60 years since the first scanner was invented. It has become a little more sophisticated over time and now extends to a variety of disciplines. Scanning artwork is just one. There are now enough scanners on the market to be able to look for the best scanners for artwork.

There are four major types, Flatbed, Hand-held, Sheet Feed, and Drum scanners. Flatbeds are the most popular, and they are the easiest to use for home and office. They are also usually more expensive and can be quite large in size, depending on their function. Some scanners will even work on maps, and it is these that are sizable machines.

To help you find the best artwork scanners, we have reviewed the top models available. So, let’s go through them and find the perfect scanner for your artwork…

Top 8 Best Scanner For Artwork In 2023 Review

Best Scanner For Artwork In 2023 – Top 8 Rated Review


1 Epson Perfection V600 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner – Best Epson Color Scanner for Artwork

Epson is one of the better-known producers of printers and other copying peripherals. And are most known for producing efficient, cost-effective products. They were founded in Japan in 1942 and now have worldwide influence. They are owned by Seiko and are officially recognized as Seiko Epson.

There are plain and simple scanners, and then there are scanners that perform a lot of clever functions. The Epson Perfection V600 is one of those in the latter category.

More than just clever…

This scanner will convert medium format slides, 35mm, and prints into high res digital files. It has a max resolution of 63400 x 9600 dpi, and you can enlarge up to 17 by 22 inches. The Transparency unit that is built-in lets you scan four 35mm slides or 12 negatives at a time. And with Epson’s built-in ReadyCan, it does not require warm-up time before use.

Controls are easy and well described and include four buttons that can be customized for scanning, copying, or other requirements. A big plus with this scanner is the Digital ICE software that performs scratch removal on damaged photos. It also helps to reduce or eliminate any crease in the photo or reduce the visual impact of a tear.

Enhancement and restoration…

Other software included is the ArcSoft PhotoStudio that allows you to enhance the image. Also, Easy Photo Fix which will help to restore images that may have faded in time. This is especially useful for giving some restoration to old color photos.

Documents that include text can be made to have edit facilities using the ABBYY fine reader software. As we said earlier, it is much more than just a scanner. The software available allows for complete editing and enhancement options.

However…

Set at a very reasonable price point, this scanner will operate very well with Windows 8 and later Operating Systems. It has, in the past, had some issues with Mac systems, though, so it might be advisable to check first to ensure they are resolved.


Epson Perfection V600 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner

Our rating:4.2 out of 5 stars (4.2 / 5)

Pros

  • Packed with very good features for a variety of options.
  • Easy to use at a very attractive price.

Cons

  • A history of not always working with some Mac-based operating systems.

2 Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner – Best Budget Scanner for Artwork

Another huge organization that has built a worldwide reputation in copying is Canon. Founded in 1937 in Japan, where else, they are one of the brands to look at. Anything to do with copying and reprographics, you will find a quality Canon product.

This may look like a budget scanner judging by its price, but don’t be fooled by that. This scanner does its job and, despite its entry-level price, still enjoys some good features. If you are looking for a straightforward scanner that does its job quickly and efficiently, then this could be the one. It is certainly one that we will consider as one of the best artwork scanners.

More than a flatbed…

This color scanner is lightweight and very sleek in its design and has a resolution of 4800dpi. That makes it eminently suitable for accurate reproduction of photos and documents. It is a flatbed design with an area of 8.5 by 11.7 inches. It can read a full page in eight seconds.

Controls are well designed and include five buttons, which give you superfast operation in a variety of operational modes. You can even use it in an upright position if you choose, using the stand, which is included.

If you are using a Windows-based OS…

There is software included that will repair scratches and smaller issues on photos. There is also a feature called “Send to Cloud.” This will enable a quick and easy way to store to DropBox or Microsoft OneDrive.

The advanced lid design allows you to scan books and other media that might be too thick for other scanners. The unit runs off a USB. It is compatible with a number of Windows and Mac systems and also Linux. It is advisable to check that your OS is supported initially. Overall, a good scanner by a reputable manufacturer at a very competitive price.


Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner

Our rating:4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Pros

  • Easy to use with great results.
  • Some nice features and software built-in at an attractive price.

Cons

  • Some will need more operational features.

3 Epson DS-50000 Large-Format Document Scanner – Best Large Format Scanner for Artwork

Back to Epson once again, and this time we move up a little in the features capability and, of course, the price point. The DS-50000 will work with a range of documents from 11 by 17 inches down to a regular business card size. It operates in both full color and grayscale, and the CCD sensor has a 600 by 600 dpi to ensure a quality reproduction.

You can create as many as thirty customized operations and one-touch scanning buttons. This will include all of the included operational features, including those designed for enhancing the image.

What’s super cool about this scanner?

It has OCR, Optical character recognition, which will convert any documents you scan into a text that can be edited. From your scans, you can create either an image file or a PDF file. This is a time and space-saving function as it allows you to convert documents to PDF that you can then search for at a later date.

All of the editing facilities and file management options may be transferred to Cloud, like Google Docs. You can then retrieve, view, or edit your documents through your laptop, phone, or tablet.

If you are using this in an office environment…

It includes a useful networking tool. The Document Capture software will allow you to scan and then send it to another PC that is connected to the LAN (Local Area Network).

It is compatible with Windows and Mac systems though it is always advisable to ensure compatibility before purchase. It also includes drivers for TWAIN and ISIS. Connections are through high-speed USB 2.0.


Epson DS-50000 Large-Format Document Scanner

Our rating:4.9 out of 5 stars (4.9 / 5)

Pros

  • An all-encompassing business world scanner.
  • Many good and efficient features.

Cons

  • Some might consider it expensive.

4 Epson Expression 12000XL-GA Flatbed Scanner – Best Flatbed Scanner for Artwork

Epson has produced a very special piece of reprographic equipment with their Expression 12000XL-GA Flatbed Scanner. This is a scanner for professional people, photographers, graphic artists, or designers. It has the ability to make high-res scans up to tabloid size photos, illustrations, or just about everything.

It is a flatbed design and is loaded with special features. One of which is the ability to scan a number of small printed items at the same time and then save each one to a separate dedicated file.

But where this scanner scores heavily…

What really sets it apart is that many scanners have good features but do not produce the finished quality that this can. The scans of photos and illustrations are excellent, and it reproduces them at very fast speeds. If you need large-format scanning produced at high resolution, then this could be the machine for you.

It is quite a large scanner measuring 25.8 by 6.2 by 18 inches, and it weighs over 31 pounds. It has a scan area that will accommodate tabloid size, as we have said. Tabloid is generally accepted as 11 by 17 inches. The 12000XL will handle 12.by 17.2 inches. It has a resolution of 2,400 by 4,800dpi.

Text enhancement…

If you scan newsprint, there is often a problem with bleeding from one side to another. This will handle that for you with its Text enhancement facility. Operating controls are easy, just one button that says, “Scan.”

It is an imaging system that has LED lighting combined with Epson Matrix CCD technology. It doesn’t need warm-up time because it has an LED-based source of light. The connection to your computer is by USB 2.0. The cable for connection is included. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Quality comes at a cost…

It is a remarkable scanner, and it has a price point that you might expect it to have. It is for business use primarily, and its superior features and performance reflect that.


Epson Expression 12000XL-GA Flatbed Scanner

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros

  • Packed with professional features.
  • Produces high quality, high-resolution images.

Cons

  • The price will scare some away.

5 Plustek A3 Flatbed Scanner OS 1180 – Best Value for the Money Scanner for Artwork

Plustek is a Taiwanese computer hardware company established in 1986 that also manufactures imaging scanners. This is a tabloid-size flatbed scanner with a 12 by 17 screen size. It can be used for scanning newspapers, photos, art, or documents. It will produce a full-color scan in approximately 15 seconds with a resolution of 1200dpi. A grayscale scan will take about 9 seconds.

It has been designed to be able to handle a reasonable work rate. This is suggested at about 2500 pages per day. It has standard TWAIN drivers and is therefore compatible with many software products. It meets Energy Star standards by utilizing an LED light source. You connect it to your computer using a 2.0 USB.

Practical and versatile…

Plustek has a system they call DocAction, which allows you to personalize your own settings for scanning. You can, therefore, use pre-configured settings and produce scans at the push of a button. Once the document has been scanned, it can be sent to a printer or saved in a folder. Documents can be saved in a variety of formats of your choice, including JPEG and PDF.

This Plustek scanner supports ABBYY Finereader 9.0, OCR software for 183 languages. It can convert your documents into Excel or Word or as a PDF file. It also features front end handling software, NewSoft Presto, which will convert, preview, and deliver files. These files can be merged using a drag and drop option.

Excellent value for the money…

A wide range of software, some of which we haven’t mentioned, is included with this scanner making it a good option. It is set at a decent price point and is quite happy working in a small business environment.


Plustek A3 Flatbed Scanner OS 1180

Our rating:3.9 out of 5 stars (3.9 / 5)

Pros

  • A nice scanner with plenty of features.
  • An attractive price point, it will suit small business.

Cons

  • Not so good scanning colored art.

6 Fujitsu PA03641-B305 ScanSnap SV600 Overhead Book Scanner – Best Scanner for Books

Fujitsu is another Japanese company with a good reputation. Based in Tokyo, they specialize in a variety of areas but mainly in Computer hardware and peripherals, software, and telecoms. They also have a major presence in IT consulting.

This scanner is a slightly different design than most. It is an overhead system that is designed specifically for bound and flat books and similar. It has a scan area that covers 11.8 by 17 inches and an optical resolution of 285 by 283 dpi maximum. The maximum thickness of documents it will handle is 1.18 inches.

Besides its obvious uses…

It can also handle all sizes of copy from business cards to tabloid size articles. And this can all be achieved without actually touching the paper. This is courtesy of the ScanSnap contactless scanner system from Fujitsu. It works quickly, and some scans will only take about three seconds.

Using multiple document detection systems, you can scan multiple sources at the same time, which is especially useful with books. For books, it also has a built-in page-turning detector, and it will recognize when you have turned the page. You haven’t got to reposition after every scan. Image flattening software adjusts the scan for any curvature that may exist, so you get a perfectly flat result.

Lots of options…

It has a number of image correction and editing options and has USB 2.0 connections.

There is no doubt this is an impressive scanner and must be considered as one of the best artwork scanners around. It is not packed to the rafters with software and options. It just has enough onboard to get the job done efficiently. And being an overhead scanner, it is perfect for books, journals, and other periodicals. Not the cheapest scanner you will see, but as an overhead, it is one of the best for the price point.


Fujitsu PA03641-B305 ScanSnap SV600 Overhead Book Scanner

Our rating:3.9 out of 5 stars (3.9 / 5)

Pros

  • A good design offering excellent results for books and spined documents,
  • Good built-in hands-free features to achieve an excellent result.

Cons

  • Some may not want an overhead design.

7 Vupoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner – Best Portable Scanner for Artwork

And as someone once said. “And now for something completely different.” This is quite an innovative idea that is not going to suit everybody. But for those that require a certain sort of scan and do not require thousands of pages, it is an interesting solution.

This is a portable scanner, so you can take it with you when you travel around if necessary. It is quite a compact, lightweight unit measuring 15.10 by 6.75 by 3.75 inches and weighing just two and a half pounds.

Like magic…

It operates with a wand that you wave over the subject matter. This can be a book or a photo or newspaper. There are many choices, but they do preferably need to be quite flat to get a decent image. As you wand over the document, it will create either a JPEG or PDF file.

You can then connect up to your computer with the provided USB cable to view the files it has created, and you can then download it if you choose. You have a choice of quality of image up to 1050 dpi. And in terms of size, you can scan sources that are from 8.5 inches wide to 125 inches long.

The scan will take about two seconds and then…

You will require a microSD memory card, but, unfortunately, this is not included. It has an LCD screen in color to allow you to choose settings and so you can view file listings. This is certainly a useful scanner for those who can work with it.

It is battery driven and runs in a Lithium-ion battery. You will get about 400 scans from a full charge. Set at a very attractive price point, it is ideal for those who need a bit of portability. It obviously isn’t the best performer as a scanner, but it certainly serves a purpose.


Vupoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros

  • A basic but well-made scanner that is easily portable.
  • Very attractive price point.

Cons

  • It won’t suit those who need a higher level of performance.

8 CZUR ET18 Pro Professional Document Scanner – Best Professional Scanner for Artwork

Next up, in our reviews of the best scanners for artwork, we have this professional level scanner from Czur with a host of features. The first thing to note is that this scanner is an overhead design that uses an 18mp Sony camera. That makes the performance excellent, and the speed of its scanning is quite something. This will scan a 300-page book in under 10 minutes.

To ensure you get a quality reproduction, it has flattened curve technology. This takes the naturally curved surface of the book, after pixel transformation, and flattens it. The image of the book is gone, and you’re left with what looks like a document. It is, therefore, ideal for magazines, catalogs, blueprints, or just about any application. Whatever you choose, you will get a quality finish, and it can handle A3 and A4 paper size.

Glare won’t be a problem…

One problem often incurred with downlighter scanners is that light shining on a glossy page. Czur has solved that problem by having extra lighting for glossy pages on the side of the scanner. This means you can turn off the overhead and just use the sidelights, cutting out any downward glare.

It has built-in OCR, Optical Character Recognition. This allows you to make any necessary edits immediately after scanning. These documents can then be stored in a PDF file if you wish.

It is quite a sophisticated piece of equipment…

And with the addition of a Sony camera, the results are impressive. Priced quite nicely in the mid-range, it is a good option.


CZUR ET18 Pro Professional Document Scanner

Our rating:3.6 out of 5 stars (3.6 / 5)

Pros

  • Good reproduction results, courtesy of a Sony camera.
  • Good features for a downlighter with a fast scanning speed.

Cons

  • Some may not want the downlight design.

Best Scanners For Artwork Buying Guide

This should not be too difficult a decision, and it will depend on the environment where you will use it.

The Office

Vupoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner with Color LCD Display and Auto-Feed Dock

You are going to need a higher spec and more features. It will help if the scanner is quite quick and that it has the capacity to work at a decent output. Extra features will be important, but it depends on how many you want. And of course, the sophistication of how they operate and what they produce.

Some have some very good editing features, and some can create files for storage automatically. Of course, the more features, and the capacity, the higher the price.

For The Home

Epson Perfection V600 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner

Not so critical with the speed, and most of the features might not be necessary. For the home, a basic scanner should suffice, providing it can produce good quality. This will certainly be cheaper than the all-singing all-dancing office version.

Finally, what about a portable scanner. Could that be useful? We looked at one of those. And would a downlighter be useful? Not difficult questions to answer; it’s just a case of what you need it for.

Looking For More Scanning And Printing Options?

Fujitsu PA03641-B305 ScanSnap SV600 Overhead Book Scanner,Black

If so, check out our Best Portable Scanners Reviews, our Best Color Laser Printers Reviews, our Best Portable Photo Printers Reviews, and our reviews of the Best Printers for Art Prints currently available.

And for camera options, be sure to pop over and read our Best Cameras For Beginners Reviews, our Best Cameras For Low Light Photography Reviews, our Best Wide Angle Lenses For Canon Reviews, and our Best GoPro Camera Reviews.

So, What Are The Best Scanners For Artwork?

A simple scanner is all we would need. Not too many bells and whistles. It would be wasted on us. Scanning documents is a useful tool to have in today’s technological age. It is, therefore, good to have a reliable simple to operate machine.

Therefore, we have decided that we would choose the…

Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner

Good performance at a great price from a respected manufacturer. It’s an excellent choice for home use, but that’s only one of the many reasons why it’s our choice as the best artwork scanner on the market.

Happy scanning!

About Paul S. Brunet

Known as the "Tech Lover", Paul is an expert of current and trending technology. Here at TinyGrab, he makes "tech" easy to understand for the average person.

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