Standard procedure for document scans? .pdf?

Ice Rich · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:45

Hi all,

If you had a document that was in .doc form (or other similar format) and it needed to be signed and returned via email, what would be the standard format to resend it as (after it has been scanned)?

My knowledge on .pdf is limited, but what advantage would this have over a .jpg?

Many thanks,

Burnsy2023 · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:51

A scanned PDF will likely just a be a BMP or JPEG embedded in a PDF container anyway.

Ice Rich · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:00

Thanks for reply,
What is the advantage of having it in .pdf? Is it because text can be edited after scan?

Burnsy2023 · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:10

Ice Rich said:
Thanks for reply,
What is the advantage of having it in .pdf? Is it because text can be edited after scan?

Nope. There is no real advantage. It's just an image that opens in Adobe or other PDF reader.

Ice Rich · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:46

Burnsy2023 said:
Nope. There is no real advantage. It's just an image that opens in Adobe or other PDF reader.

Interesting, i might stick to just .jpg scans then as I can get the file size lowest in this format.

At the moment I use photoshop to 'aquire' the scan, is there a know better app that is more commonly used?

Many thanks,

madindehead · 28 Nov 2011 at 13:46

I think sending it as a PDF usually comes across as being more professional, rather than sending a random jpg

Linkex · 28 Nov 2011 at 13:50

Whilst its true that a scan in a PDF is basically a wrapped JPG, it really all comes down to the usage. If its going to admin staff (CVs/Invoices/POs) then the general consensus is that PDF is universally recognised (By admin staff, not OS's), and when it comes to printing, PDF shows exactly what you get - you hit print and the paper that comes out the printer should look identical to the PDF document.

So basically, it depends on the target audience of your scans.

masterluke · 28 Nov 2011 at 14:00

PDF definitely more professional. I use..

http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/

..as its free and works well.

Ice Rich · 28 Nov 2011 at 15:05

Thanks guys, thanks has helped.

masterluke said:
PDF definitely more professional. I use..

http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/

..as its free and works well.

Thanks will try that. So that should convert a file with an extension such as .jpg or .doc to a .pdf?
Can I also use it to acquire the image through scanner?
At the moment I am using Photoshop which is a bit long-winded

Burnsy2023 · 28 Nov 2011 at 15:16

It'll just appear to be a printer; a printer that asks you where to save the file.