Images
Photograph scanning
We can deal with pictures supplied in almost any form, but if you want to achieve the best possible standard in the finished printed book there is one basic rule: wherever you can, give us the original photograph, slide, picture or drawing.
Duplicates can be very poor and photocopies in particular are often very difficult for us to scan in well. Where you cannot supply the original you should try to give us the best copy you can. Avoid scanning at home and supplying us with digital files as the result will usually not be good enough to achieve a satisfactory level of quality in the book – we have state of the art professional scanning equipment here and can maximise the quality of any original.
You can send pictures to us by post, although we would strongly advise you to use recorded delivery or another relatively secure method. We can arrange for our courier to collect from you and deliver to us (we would let you know in advance how much this would cost). Alternatively, you may wish to bring precious originals to us in person, which of course you are free to do.
Once your pictures are with us they are treated very carefully and stored in a Chubb fire proof cabinet. We are proud to say that we have never damaged or lost pictures supplied to us.
Where appropriate we can also give you advice on how to go about researching images for books.
Supplying digital files
An increasing number of pictures are supplied to us as digital files, from digital cameras, digitised photo collections, scans etc. As already mentioned, the best result will usually be achieved if we scan in the original picture but this is often not possible. If you are supplying files to us it is best to let us see a sample of what you intend to give us and then we can advise you as to what we need. Images pulled off websites are nearly always very low resolution and not usuable in a book. Where you have amended images in Photoshop or similar we usually ask that you also give us the original unaltered files.
This whole area is a bit of a technical minefield, so in most cases it is best to contact us for advice before you obtain and send any images to us.
Illustrations, maps, diagrams etc.
We have access to two talented illustrators at Scotforth who can produce any kind of artwork, colour or black and white, whether for the cover or the insides of the book. Where it will be helpful, you will be able to talk directly to the illustrator so that you can convey your requirements fully. In addition, our typesetters are very skilled at producing computer-generated maps, diagrams, tables, family trees etc, even if you only supply the most basic of sketches.