Artistic Precision: Finest Scanners for Artists’ Detailing

Creating digital art isn’t for everyone. But even if you paint or draw using more traditional methods, you still want to be able to share your art with the world!

There are two main routes you can take to get your artwork online. You can photograph your photos, or you can scan them.

Scanning is a great option because it preserves your artwork in all its colors and detail. With the right scanner, your artwork will look just as good once scanned. 

Scanners have come a long way, and most have excellent scan resolutions. While that’s good news, it makes picking a scanner more difficult.

No matter what kind of artist you are, there’s a scanner out there for you. But knowing what you need to look out for is essential! 

That’s why I’ve put together this buying guide for the best scanners for artists. I’ll share the most important features of an art scanner.

Then, I’ll review the reviews to help you find the best art scanner for your needs!

How to Choose the Best Scanner for Artwork: Buying Guide

There are a few factors to consider when shopping for the best document scanner for artwork. 

If you keep these things in mind when choosing your scanner, you’ll surely buy a great scanner! 

Image Quality

First, you’ll want to have the best possible image quality so that your scanned images look amazing. If the idea is to share your artwork, you want it to look its best! 

You’ll need to check the image resolution and pixel density. The higher the pixel density, the more detailed and higher quality your images will be. 

Another essential factor is optical density. If you’re unfamiliar with this, you may have heard the term ‘dynamic range. It refers to seeing and replicating all the color tones in your artwork.

A scanner with a higher optical density can accurately reproduce the full range of tones. 

Scanners with a high optical density of 3.8+ tend to be more expensive. But if you have the spare cash, it’s worth investing in the best optical density you can find!

Size

A lot of scanners are limited to A4 size or smaller. That means you’re pretty limited as to what you can scan in. 

If you work on a larger scale, you’ll need to prioritize the scanner size. It also might mean that you need to spend a bit more.

But some scanners can handle larger dimensions. Make sure to double-check before you buy!

Connectivity

The easiest way to connect your scanner to your laptop is through a USB cable. Most modern scanners will offer USB-C or USB-A connections.

But some older scanners may have more outmoded ways to connect, so don’t forget to double-check.

I also recommend checking whether the scanner takes a USB-C or USB-A cable. Then, compare that to your laptop and make sure they are compatible! 

By following these steps, you can be sure that you are making the right choice.

Price

You always need to factor in your budget, too. The more money you have to spend, the more features you can expect your scanner to have. 

But the question is, do you need all those features? If you don’t have a big budget, think carefully about which features are vital.

Then, you’ll know what you can compromise on and still be happy with your new scanner. 

The Best Scanners for Artists: The Reviews

Let’s get onto the product reviews now you know what to look for. Compare these recommended scanners to find your perfect model!

Epson Perfection V600

Epson Perfection V600

(Images credit: Epson)

The Epson Perfection V600 is an excellent art scanner. It produces gorgeous images thanks to the fantastic image resolution of 6400 x 9600 dpi. 

It also offers good value for money! You can use this scanner to digitize your artwork. But it also doubles up as a photographic film scanner to scan and enlarge your photos.

It uses very little power and is ready to go at the touch of a button. This scanner is user-friendly and has a simple setup.

You also get some cool software included with this scanner. It syncs your documents directly with Google Drive or Dropbox. 

You can also edit your photos and artwork with the software to reduce noise and dust. 

You can do it section by section if you need to scan larger paintings. Then, you can stitch them back together digitally. It’s not as easy as with a larger scanner, but it gets the job done!

Scanning documents is speedy so that you can get through a lot in a short time. That makes it ideal if you’re a prolific artist and don’t want to wait around.

Pros:

  • Outstanding image resolution for flawless reproductions
  • It comes with powerful software, and you can also scan photo film

Cons:

  • This scanner sometimes has connectivity issues with Macs

Check price on

Amazon

Canon CanoScan LiDE 300

Canon CanoScan LiDE 300

(Images credit: Canon)

The CanoScan Lide, a much cheaper scanner, is ideal for anyone on a tight budget. While you won’t get such advanced features, it’s a great way to start digitizing your art.

It can scan all your artwork quickly and efficiently, with a single scan taking 10 seconds.

With a 2400 x 2400 image resolution, it can’t compare to the premium scanners. But your images will still look great without any blurring or unwanted effects.

It looks sleek and is simple to operate, with four buttons on the front. It can auto-scan, copy, and send your artwork from the scanner.

You also can convert your documents straight into PDFs, which can come in handy.

The Canon Canoscan is an excellent budget scanner. It connects with your computer via a USB.

Digitizing your artwork is quick and efficient with this scanner.

Pros:

  •  A great budget scanner
  • It has a smooth and simple user experience

Cons:

  • The image quality isn’t as high as on more advanced models

Check price on

Amazon

Epson Perfection V39

Epson Perfection V39

(Images credit: Epson)

The Epson Perfection V39 is the best portable document scanner around. Its compact size makes it ideal for anything short on space. 

This scanner ticks all the right boxes if you have a small studio or work from your bedroom. It’s slim and lightweight, without giving up any critical features.

The built-in kickstand lets you stand the scanner vertically to take up less space on your desk. That makes it perfect for small rooms where table space is at a premium.

Notably, this scanner has a removable lid. This feature is beneficial as it allows you to scan large canvases easily. A lid can be cumbersome and make access difficult.

You won’t be disappointed by the resolution, either. At 4800 dpi, your artwork will look stunning down to the smallest detail. 

This scanner offers USB connectivity, so there’s no need to plug it in. You even get convenient integrations to Google Drive to save your digital images.

The biggest limitation is the maximum scan size of 8.5 x 11.7 inches. But the high-rise removable lid makes scanning larger sketches in sections easy.

Pros:

  • A very portable and lightweight scanner
  • A fantastic image resolution of 4800 dpi

Cons:

  • You can’t scan larger images in one go

Check price on

Amazon

Epson DS-50000 Large-Format Scanner

Epson DS-50000 Large-Format Scanner

(Images credit: Epson)

If scanning large pieces of artwork is a priority, this large-scale scanner fits the bill. It can handle documents up to 11.7 x 17 inches or A3 size. 

That gives you much more freedom to work on designs bigger than A4 without worrying about how you’ll scan them. It’s also suitable for all sorts of art forms. 

The Epson DS 50000 is designed to hold your paper securely between two sheets of glass. This prevents your sketch from curling or getting creased.

You can also upload directly to your cloud storage accounts to save time. 

It works well with both Windows and Mac computers. Plus, it comes with ISIS and TWAIN drivers, making it compatible with any software.

For peace of mind, you also get a 3-year warranty with this model. So you can get it fixed or replaced if it malfunctions.

It’s worth noting that the scan resolution isn’t the best, at 600 dpi. If you’re a professional artist, you might want something more precise and powerful.

Pros:

  • Great for scanning larger paintings and sketches
  • Good compatibility and comes with a 3-year warranty

Cons:

  • The image resolution is a bit low at 600 dpi

Check price on

Amazon

Canon CanoScan LiDE400 Slim Scanner

Canon CanoScan LiDE400

(Images credit: Canon)

Finally, we have the CanoScan Lide 400. It’s another great scanner from the well-known Canon brand. 

This speedy scanner produces scans with intricate detail and vivid colors. That’s all thanks to the 4600 dpi image resolution.

It’s also very affordable, making it an excellent option for students or amateur artists.

You can use this scanner for paintings, sketches, and even photos. Plus, it comes with useful software for touching up your scanned images. You can restore colors and more in seconds.

The CanoScan 400 connects to your computer via a USB-C connection. So, you just need one cable to start scanning. 

To save space on your desk, you can stand this scanner upright, even when in use. This handy feature ensures that it looks smart but is also practical!

Pros:

  • Impressive scan resolution for deep, crisp images
  • It’s compact and easy to fit in any room

Cons:

  • Some people struggle to connect it with Mac computers

Check price on

Amazon

The Wrap Up

The best scanner for scanning artwork will convey your art’s depth, feeling, and colors. It can capture your paintings’ true essence and power and allow you to share them more widely.

Because as artists, we don’t just draw for ourselves. We want to reach out and touch people through our artwork.

Nowadays, the quickest and easiest way to share your artwork is online.  You can upload your designs to social media and blogs to reach a wider audience.

That’s why it’s high time that you invest in the best printer/scanner for art prints! 

Of all the products reviewed above, there’s something for every budget and art medium. So, take your pick and click the link to order your new art scanner today!

Let me know if you have any questions at all.

This post contains affiliate links. Proactive Creative may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.

Author

Outmane is the founder of Proactive Creative. He is an artist/designer.


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