Skip to main content
TopMiniSite

Back to all posts

Can A Photo Scanner Also Scan Documents And Other Materials?

Published on
7 min read
Can A Photo Scanner Also Scan Documents And Other Materials? image

Best Photo Scanners for Versatile Scanning to Buy in October 2025

1 Plustek Photo Scanner ePhoto Z300, Scans 4x6 inch Photos in 2 Seconds, Auto crop and deskew with CCD Sensor, Supports Mac and PC

Plustek Photo Scanner ePhoto Z300, Scans 4x6 inch Photos in 2 Seconds, Auto crop and deskew with CCD Sensor, Supports Mac and PC

  • RAPID SCANNING: JUST 2 SECONDS FOR A 4X6 PHOTO!

  • EFFICIENT: DIGITIZE 1000 PHOTOS IN A SINGLE AFTERNOON!

  • ENHANCE IMAGES: RESTORE FADED PHOTOS WITH ONE CLICK!

BUY & SAVE
$219.99
Plustek Photo Scanner ePhoto Z300, Scans 4x6 inch Photos in 2 Seconds, Auto crop and deskew with CCD Sensor, Supports Mac and PC
2 Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless High-Speed Photo and Document Scanning System, Black

Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless High-Speed Photo and Document Scanning System, Black

  • SCAN 1 PHOTO PER SECOND: PRESERVE THOUSANDS IN NO TIME!
  • RESTORE OLD PHOTOS WITH AUTO ENHANCEMENT & EASY SHARING OPTIONS.
  • CAPTURE IMAGES AND NOTES IN ONE SCAN-PERFECT FOR ARCHIVING!
BUY & SAVE
$529.99 $629.99
Save 16%
Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless High-Speed Photo and Document Scanning System, Black
3 Epson - Perfection V39 II - Color Photo and Document Flatbed Scanner - 4800 dpi Optical Resolution - High-Rise, Removable Lid - Scan to Cloud - USB Power - Image Scanning - Black

Epson - Perfection V39 II - Color Photo and Document Flatbed Scanner - 4800 dpi Optical Resolution - High-Rise, Removable Lid - Scan to Cloud - USB Power - Image Scanning - Black

  • CAPTURE STUNNING DETAIL WITH 4800 DPI FOR ENLARGED IMAGES.
  • VERSATILE SCANNER: PHOTOS, DOCUMENTS, AND ARTWORK MADE EASY!
  • EFFORTLESS ONE-TOUCH SCANNING AND SMART CLOUD STORAGE SOLUTIONS!
BUY & SAVE
$129.99
Epson - Perfection V39 II - Color Photo and Document Flatbed Scanner - 4800 dpi Optical Resolution - High-Rise, Removable Lid - Scan to Cloud - USB Power - Image Scanning - Black
4 Epson Perfection V19 II Color Photo and Document Flatbed Scanner with 4800 dpi Optical Resolution, USB Power and High-Rise, Removable Lid

Epson Perfection V19 II Color Photo and Document Flatbed Scanner with 4800 dpi Optical Resolution, USB Power and High-Rise, Removable Lid

  • ACHIEVE STUNNING PHOTO ENLARGEMENTS WITH 4800 DPI CLARITY.
  • EFFORTLESSLY SCAN WITH ONE-TOUCH BUTTONS AND INCLUDED SOFTWARE.
  • QUICKLY CONVERT SCANS TO EDITABLE FILES OR SEARCHABLE PDFS.
BUY & SAVE
$89.99 $99.99
Save 10%
Epson Perfection V19 II Color Photo and Document Flatbed Scanner with 4800 dpi Optical Resolution, USB Power and High-Rise, Removable Lid
5 Canon Canoscan Lide 300 Scanner (PDF, AUTOSCAN, COPY, SEND)

Canon Canoscan Lide 300 Scanner (PDF, AUTOSCAN, COPY, SEND)

  • AUTO SCAN MODE: EFFORTLESSLY DETECTS AND OPTIMIZES SCANS.
  • USB CONNECTIVITY: EASY PLUG-AND-PLAY SETUP FOR INSTANT USE.
  • VERSATILE DIGITIZATION: PERFECT FOR DOCUMENTS AND IMAGES ALIKE!
BUY & SAVE
$75.00
Canon Canoscan Lide 300 Scanner (PDF, AUTOSCAN, COPY, SEND)
6 KODAK Slide N SCAN Film & Slide Scanner Digitizer with 5” LCD Screen, Quickly Convert Negatives & Slides to Digital 22MP JPEG Photos, Compatible with 135, 126 and 110 Film & Slides

KODAK Slide N SCAN Film & Slide Scanner Digitizer with 5” LCD Screen, Quickly Convert Negatives & Slides to Digital 22MP JPEG Photos, Compatible with 135, 126 and 110 Film & Slides

  • REVIVE MEMORIES: EFFORTLESSLY CONVERT OLD PHOTOS TO DIGITAL FILES!

  • INSTANT PREVIEW: 5” DISPLAY FOR EASY EDITING AND SHARING OF PHOTOS.

  • QUICK & EASY LOADING: FAST FILM INSERTS STREAMLINE THE SCANNING PROCESS!

BUY & SAVE
$170.98 $189.99
Save 10%
KODAK Slide N SCAN Film & Slide Scanner Digitizer with 5” LCD Screen, Quickly Convert Negatives & Slides to Digital 22MP JPEG Photos, Compatible with 135, 126 and 110 Film & Slides
7 ScanSnap iX2500 Wireless or USB High-Speed Cloud Enabled Document, Photo & Receipt Scanner with Large 5" Touchscreen and 100 Page Auto Document Feeder for Mac or PC, Black

ScanSnap iX2500 Wireless or USB High-Speed Cloud Enabled Document, Photo & Receipt Scanner with Large 5" Touchscreen and 100 Page Auto Document Feeder for Mac or PC, Black

  • SPEED & EFFICIENCY: 45PPM DOUBLE-SIDED SCANS WITH 100-SHEET FEEDER.
  • CUSTOMIZABLE PROFILES: EASILY CREATE AND SHARE PERSONALIZED SCAN SETTINGS.
  • STABLE CONNECTIVITY: FAST WI-FI 6 AND USB-C FOR SEAMLESS SCANNING OPERATIONS.
BUY & SAVE
$419.99 $449.99
Save 7%
ScanSnap iX2500 Wireless or USB High-Speed Cloud Enabled Document, Photo & Receipt Scanner with Large 5" Touchscreen and 100 Page Auto Document Feeder for Mac or PC, Black
8 Photo and Slide Scanner with 2.4” LCD Screen, Convert Negatives & Slides 35mm/135 Film, Photo(3R,4R,5R), Business Card to 22MP JPEG Digital Photos, 4GB SD Card Included

Photo and Slide Scanner with 2.4” LCD Screen, Convert Negatives & Slides 35mm/135 Film, Photo(3R,4R,5R), Business Card to 22MP JPEG Digital Photos, 4GB SD Card Included

  • HIGH-RESOLUTION SCANNING: DIGITIZE IMAGES IN 22MP QUALITY INSTANTLY!

  • USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN: SIMPLE PLUG-AND-PLAY SETUP-NO TECH SKILLS NEEDED!

  • QUICK TRANSFER: EASY USB CONNECTION FOR SEAMLESS PHOTO SHARING.

BUY & SAVE
$95.99
Photo and Slide Scanner with 2.4” LCD Screen, Convert Negatives & Slides 35mm/135 Film, Photo(3R,4R,5R), Business Card to 22MP JPEG Digital Photos, 4GB SD Card Included
+
ONE MORE?

Yes, a photo scanner is often capable of scanning documents and other materials in addition to photos. Many modern photo scanners come equipped with features that allow them to scan documents, receipts, and other items such as business cards. These scanners typically have different scanning modes for various media types, making it easy to scan a variety of materials. Additionally, some photo scanners also have automatic document feeders that can handle multiple pages at once, making them suitable for scanning documents quickly and efficiently. Overall, while photo scanners are primarily designed for photos, they are versatile enough to handle a range of other materials as well.

What is the potential for information loss when scanning documents with a photo scanner?

When scanning documents with a photo scanner, there is a potential for information loss due to factors such as image resolution, compression, file format, and scanning settings.

  • Image resolution: Low resolution scans may result in loss of detail and clarity, making it difficult to read text or distinguish fine details in the document.
  • Compression: Some scanners may automatically compress the scanned image to reduce file size, which can lead to loss of image quality and information.
  • File format: Choosing the wrong file format for saving the scanned document (such as JPEG instead of PDF) can result in loss of text and image quality.
  • Scanning settings: Incorrect settings such as color mode, brightness, contrast, and sharpening can affect the quality and accuracy of the scanned document.

To minimize information loss when scanning documents with a photo scanner, it is important to use a high-quality scanner, choose the appropriate settings, and save the scanned document in a lossless file format such as TIFF or PNG. Additionally, it is recommended to perform quality checks on the scanned document to ensure that all information is captured accurately.

How to scan multiple documents at once with a photo scanner?

To scan multiple documents at once with a photo scanner, you can follow these steps:

  1. Place all the documents you want to scan on the scanner bed. Make sure they are placed neatly and evenly to avoid any overlap or skewing.
  2. Open the scanner's software on your computer and select the option to scan multiple documents at once. This option may be labeled as batch scanning or multiple page scanning.
  3. Configure the settings for the scan, such as resolution, color mode, and file format. You may also have the option to set the scanning order or naming convention for the scanned files.
  4. Start the scanning process by clicking on the scan button. The scanner will automatically feed each document one by one and save them as separate files.
  5. Once the scanning is completed, you can review and edit the scanned documents if needed. Save the files to your computer or other storage devices.
  6. Organize the scanned documents in a folder or rename them accordingly for easy access and reference.

By following these steps, you can quickly and efficiently scan multiple documents at once with a photo scanner.

What is the best way to scan documents with text and images on a photo scanner?

The best way to scan documents with text and images on a photo scanner is to ensure the following steps:

  1. Clean the scanner bed: Before placing the document on the scanner bed, make sure to clean it thoroughly to avoid any dust or smudges that may affect the quality of the scanned image.
  2. Place the document correctly: Position the document on the scanner bed in such a way that it is aligned properly and the edges are straight. Make sure there is no overlapping or skews in the document.
  3. Adjust the settings: Set the scanner settings according to the type of document you are scanning. For documents with text and images, select the appropriate resolution (usually 300-600 dpi) and color mode (color, grayscale, or black and white).
  4. Preview the scan: Before scanning the entire document, use the preview function on the scanner software to check for any errors or adjustments that need to be made. This will help in ensuring that the final scan is of high quality.
  5. Scan the document: Once you are satisfied with the preview, proceed to scan the document. Make sure the scanner lid is closed properly to avoid any light leaks that may affect the quality of the scan.
  6. Save the scanned document: After scanning, save the document in the desired format (PDF, JPEG, etc.) and in a location where you can easily access it later.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your scanned documents with text and images are of high quality and accurately capture all the information.

What is the average scanning speed of a photo scanner for documents?

The average scanning speed of a photo scanner for documents is typically around 15-30 pages per minute. However, this can vary depending on the specific model and brand of scanner. Some high-end scanners can scan up to 60 pages per minute or more.

What is the optimal lighting conditions for scanning documents with a photo scanner?

The optimal lighting conditions for scanning documents with a photo scanner include:

  1. Consistent and even lighting: Ensure that the lighting is uniform across the document to avoid shadows or glare on the scanned image.
  2. Natural light: Natural light is usually the best option for scanning documents as it provides a clear, true-to-life representation of the document without distorting colors or details.
  3. Avoid direct sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause overexposure, reflections, and glare on the document, resulting in poor image quality. Position the document away from direct sunlight to prevent these issues.
  4. Use a light diffuser: If natural light is not available or is too harsh, consider using a light diffuser to soften the light and create a more even distribution of light across the document.
  5. Avoid fluorescent or harsh artificial lighting: Fluorescent lighting and harsh artificial lighting can distort colors and create unwanted reflections on the scanned document. Opt for soft, natural-looking lighting for better results.

By following these lighting guidelines, you can ensure that your scanned documents are of high quality and free from distortions or imperfections.

How to scan old photos and documents with delicate surfaces on a photo scanner?

Scanning old photos and documents with delicate surfaces on a photo scanner requires special care to avoid damage. Here are some tips to help you safely scan these delicate items:

  1. Clean the scanner bed: Before scanning, make sure the scanner bed is clean and free of any dust or debris that could scratch the surface of the photo or document.
  2. Use a protective sleeve: To protect the delicate surface of the photo or document, consider placing it in a protective sleeve before scanning. This will help prevent any damage from the scanner's glass surface.
  3. Adjust scanner settings: When scanning delicate items, use a low resolution setting to avoid putting too much pressure on the item's surface. You can always adjust the resolution later when editing the scanned image.
  4. Handle with care: When placing the photo or document on the scanner bed, handle it gently and avoid pressing down too hard. Use a soft, clean cloth to gently press down on the item if necessary.
  5. Use a flatbed scanner: If possible, use a flatbed scanner instead of a sheet-fed scanner. Flatbed scanners are gentler on delicate items and allow for more control over the scanning process.
  6. Scan one item at a time: To ensure the best quality scan and minimize the risk of damage, scan one photo or document at a time. This will also allow you to focus on each item individually and make any necessary adjustments.
  7. Edit scanned images carefully: After scanning, carefully review the scanned images and make any necessary edits to enhance the quality. Avoid using harsh editing tools that could further damage the delicate surface of the item.

By following these tips and handling the delicate items with care, you can safely scan old photos and documents on a photo scanner without risking damage to their delicate surfaces.