Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Adobe Photoshop (CS2)
- Artwork or other images
- Scanner
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Step 1
Turn on your scanner. Open Photoshop. Under the “File” menu, click on “Import” and then click on your scanner’s brand name in the drop-down menu. This will open a window in your scanner’s software. I use an Epson Stylus model.
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Step 2
In the scanner software’s configuration window, open the “resolution” drop-down menu and select a resolution size that’s at least 300 DPI. Many artists, however, swear by 600 DPI. Open the “image type” drop-down menu and select “grayscale.” This mode is especially recommended for scanning line art or grayscale images.
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Step 3
Click the “Preview” button to double-check the image’s scan size and resolution. Make whatever adjustments are needed before scanning. When you’re satisfied with the way your image looks in the scan preview, click the “Scan” button.
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Step 4
After the image has been scanned into Photoshop, change your image’s mode from grayscale to “RGB.” Under Photoshop’s top row “Image” menu you’ll click on “Mode,” opening the drop-down menu. Click on “RGB.”
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Step 5
At this point, there are several ways to clean up your scan. It varies from artist to artist. I usually use the “Brightness/Contrast” slider tool as my first step in strengthening lines and removing unwanted fuzz and lines. (“Image,” then “Adjustments” in drop-down, and select “Brightness/Contrast.”) This opens the “Brightness/Contrast” dialog box.
Play with the Brightness and Contrast sliders to get the right level of shade and sharpness for your image according to your preferences. Note: Make sure that the “Preview” checkbox is checked. -
Step 6
Open the “Curves” tool. (“Image,” then “Adjustments” in drop-down, and select “Curves.”) This opens the “Curves” dialog box. Click your cursor on any part of the “fishline” in the box. Push and drag the line while watching how this action affects your image’s resolution. Click the “OK” button when you’re satisfied with the image’s resultant clarity.
Note that some artists prefer the “Levels” tool to the “Curves” tool. To open the Levels dialog box, press “Ctrl-L.” In the box, “play” with the three sliders to light and dark preferences. Click the “OK” button when you’re satisfied with the image’s look. -
Step 7
If there are still unwanted lines or paper textures, click on the polygonal lasso tool in your vertical toolbar. Use the lasso to manually select unwanted parts of your image; then hit the “Backspace” button to remove these parts. Or you can use your eraser tool. This can be a time-consuming process.
