newspaper bleedthrough

[FitchV]

When scanning a page from a newspaper, the paper is so thin that images printed on the other side of the paper can be seen in the scan. What is the best way to eliminate these ghost images from scans?

[Gregory C]

I've seen this myself. at the time, I think I used the gradation and contrast controls to select what was scanned and what was left out.

however, what happens if you cover the newspaper with a black paper/cardboard before scanning? the pure black would also bleed through and would perhaps camouflage the black print on the back of the newspaper.

[RAG]

Hello Gregory C,

Why would black paper/cardboard work better than using plain white paper? My thought is increasing the density with white paper would not interfere with the black text or any images on the front side of the page, right?

[Gregory C]

if the white cardboard was between the front text and the back text, then I would agree with you but it's behind the back text. consequently, the back text will still be reflected back to the scanner.

if we use black against the back text, then it'll be camouflaged. we'll need to change the gradations to make grey look white again but overall, it might have a better affect.

it wouldn't be perfect though, not by a long shot. if your newspaper is black and white, then it would definitely be doable. if your newspaper is grey-scaled or colour, it might still be difficult to hide the back text and get a perfect scan of the front text.

if we were engineers, we could devise a formula so that we could scan the back text, then scan the front text and remove the back text from the front text. unfortunately, we're not engineers and I should perhaps watch less of the Numb3rs tv series ;-)

[RAG]

Hello Gregory,

Thanks for the clarification! I have not encountered this particular problem, but in my mind I thought white would have worked better.

Thanks again!

[asto999]

I think Gregory is right: Black is best, for it masks the black/white contrast from the back of the page.

[evogel99]

I use black paper - works quite well.