Scanning & Digitisation Services
Professional Fine Art Scanning by C&D Fine Art
Looking for high-quality scanning of original artwork, paintings or photographs? C&D Fine Art offers specialist large format scanning and digitisation from its studio in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, serving artists, photographers, collectors and businesses across the New Forest, Dorset and throughout the UK.
With more than 20 years of experience in fine art image capture, C&D Fine Art combines specialist scanning equipment with the expertise needed to capture colour, detail and texture as faithfully as possible.
Whether you want to create prints of your original artwork, produce professional images for your website, preserve a treasured piece or build a digital archive, the team can help you create a high-quality digital file tailored to your needs.
Large Format Artwork Scanning for a Wide Range of Uses
A professional digital image opens up new possibilities for your artwork. Our specialist scanning service is suitable for:
- Fine art reproduction - Create high-quality digital master files for giclée printing and limited edition prints.
- Artists and illustrators - Digitise original paintings, drawings and mixed-media artwork for future reproduction.
- Photographers - Create high-resolution digital files from suitable photographic originals.
- Galleries and exhibitions - Prepare artwork images for submissions, catalogues and promotional materials.
- Websites and social media - Showcase your work with detailed, professional-quality imagery.
- Portfolios and marketing - Create digital images for brochures, presentations and artist portfolios.
- Archiving and preservation - Keep a detailed digital record of original artwork and collections.
- Documentation and insurance - Create digital records to support artwork inventories and documentation.
Whether you need a single painting scanned or have a larger digitisation project in mind, they can discuss your requirements and recommend a suitable approach.
Why Professional Artwork Scanning Matters
The quality of a reproduction depends on the quality of the digital image used to create it. Fine details, subtle colour variations and the texture of the original artwork can all influence the final result.
A standard photograph may be sufficient for some purposes, but professional artwork scanning offers greater control over detail, colour and image consistency, particularly when preparing artwork for high-quality print reproduction.
C&D Fine Art's specialist scanning system captures artwork at its original size in a single pass, creating a detailed digital master file without the need to join multiple photographs together.
The result is a high-quality foundation for reproducing, sharing and preserving your artwork.
The Benefits of Single-Pass Fine Art Scanning
Some digitisation methods rely on taking multiple photographs and stitching them together to recreate a larger image. This can introduce inconsistencies in sharpness, colour and alignment.
C&D Fine Art's large format scanning system captures the entire artwork in one pass at full, 1:1 scale.
Benefits include:
- No image stitching or overlapping photographic sections.
- Consistent detail and sharpness across the image.
- Reduced reliance on digital enlargement.
- Excellent image detail for professional reproduction.
- A high-quality digital master file for future use.
By capturing the artwork at its original size, they preserve genuine image detail rather than relying on software to enlarge or reconstruct information.
High-Resolution Scanning for Large and Small Artwork
C&D Fine Art's specialist equipment can scan artwork up to 155 × 250 cm at 300 dpi in a single pass, making it suitable for large original paintings and other oversized pieces.
For smaller artwork, scanning resolutions of up to 1000 dpi are available, allowing even finer detail to be captured where required.
Scanning capabilities include:
- Artwork up to 155 × 250 cm.
- Full-size, 1:1 image capture.
- Resolutions up to 1,000 dpi for smaller originals.
- High-resolution digital files suitable for professional reproduction.
- Detailed image capture for archiving and future use.
Unlike a typical camera image, which may need to be enlarged or pieced together to accommodate a large original, our scanning process captures the artwork directly at full size.
The appropriate resolution and file format will depend on the size of your original artwork and how you intend to use the resulting image.
Specialist Scanning Designed for Artwork
Artwork can be delicate, valuable and difficult to photograph accurately. Our scanning system has been selected specifically to accommodate a wide variety of artwork sizes, surfaces and formats.
Features include:
- Non-contact scanning - The image surface does not come into contact with the scanner head.
- Large format capability - Artwork can be scanned up to 155 × 250 cm.
- Framed artwork - In suitable cases, artwork can remain in its frame during scanning.
- Glazed artwork - Scanning through glazing may be possible, depending on the glass, reflections and artwork.
- Deep-format capability - Suitable objects can be accommodated up to 12 cm deep.
- Controlled lighting - Helps achieve consistent image capture.
- Optional textured-light capture - Can enhance the appearance of brushwork and surface detail where appropriate.
Because every artwork is different, we can discuss the material, dimensions and condition of your piece before confirming the most suitable scanning method.
More Than Scanning: Fine Art Reproduction Expertise
C&D Fine Art is an established UK fine art publisher specialising in limited edition prints and original artwork by contemporary British and international artists.
Image capture is central to its publishing work. Every limited edition print begins with a digital master file, so the team understands how scanning influences colour management, print quality and the appearance of the finished reproduction.
This practical experience informs every stage of the process, helping to ensure that your artwork is captured with the detail and accuracy required for its intended use.
If you're considering reproducing your own artwork, C&D Fine Art can also discuss options for fine art printing and limited edition publishing, subject to your requirements.
Find out more about C&D Fine Art's services: Visit the C&D Fine Art website
Artwork Scanning in Hampshire, the New Forest and Across the UK
C&D Fine Art's scanning studio is based in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, conveniently placed to serve customers across the New Forest, Dorset, Wiltshire and the wider South of England.
Artists, photographers, galleries and businesses from further afield are also welcome to enquire about specialist large format scanning and digitisation.
If you have an artwork that needs to be scanned, get in touch to discuss its size, materials and intended use.
Request a Quote for Artwork Scanning
Whether you're looking for professional painting scanning, large format artwork digitisation, high-resolution image capture or digital files for fine art reproduction, C&D Fine Art can help.
Contact the team to discuss your project, check suitability and obtain a quotation.
Contact C&D Fine Art for a Scanning Quote
Please provide the artwork's dimensions, medium and intended use when enquiring, along with any particular requirements for resolution or file format.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fine Art Scanning
What is fine art scanning?
Fine art scanning is the process of creating a high-resolution digital image of an original artwork. The resulting file can be used for print reproduction, websites, social media, artist portfolios, marketing materials and digital archiving.
What types of artwork can you scan?
C&D Fine Art can scan a wide range of suitable two-dimensional artwork, including paintings, drawings, mixed-media pieces, prints and photographs. Suitability depends on the artwork's dimensions, materials and condition.
How large an artwork can you scan?
Artwork can be scanned up to 155 × 250 cm at 300 dpi in a single pass. Higher resolutions of up to 1,000 dpi are available for smaller originals.
Can you scan artwork without removing it from its frame?
Yes, in suitable cases. Artwork may be scanned while framed, including through glazing where conditions permit. The frame, glass and artwork's construction will need to be assessed to determine whether this is appropriate.
Is professional artwork scanning better than taking a photograph?
For many fine art reproduction projects, professional scanning offers greater control over image detail, sharpness and consistency. It can be particularly useful for large originals and work that requires accurate, high-resolution reproduction. The best method will depend on the artwork and its intended use.
Why is single-pass scanning important?
Single-pass scanning captures the entire artwork in one operation, avoiding the need to stitch multiple photographs together. This helps maintain consistent detail, alignment and image quality across the full artwork.
What scanning resolution do I need?
The ideal resolution depends on the size of your original and how the digital file will be used. Scanning at 300 dpi at full size is suitable for many fine art reproduction projects, while higher resolutions of up to 1,000 dpi are available for smaller originals when additional detail is required.
Can I use my digital scan to create limited edition prints?
Yes. C&D Fine Art's scanning service is designed to create high-quality digital master files suitable for fine art reproduction, including giclée printing and limited edition print production. Any publishing or reproduction arrangements can be discussed separately with the team.
Will my scan reproduce the original colours accurately?
C&D Fine Art uses professional image capture and colour-management workflows to help achieve a faithful representation of the original. Industry-standard colour references can be included where required to support subsequent colour management and reproduction. The final result can also be influenced by the artwork's surface, lighting characteristics and the intended output.
Can you capture brushstrokes and the texture of a painting?
Yes. Optional textured-light capture can enhance the appearance of brushwork and surface detail where appropriate. The suitability of this technique depends on the artwork's medium and surface.
Can you scan framed or glazed artwork?
In suitable cases, yes. Artwork may be scanned while framed and, where conditions permit, through glazing. Reflections, glass type, frame depth and the condition of the piece can affect suitability, so please discuss these details before arranging a scan.
Who can use your artwork scanning service?
The service is suitable for artists, photographers, galleries, publishers, collectors, businesses and individuals who need professional digital images for reproduction, promotion, documentation or archiving.
Do I need copyright permission to have artwork scanned?
You should own the copyright or obtain the necessary permission from the copyright holder before commissioning a scan for reproduction or other uses. Owning an original artwork does not automatically mean you own its copyright.
Do you also offer fine art printing and framing?
C&D Fine Art's wider experience includes fine art publishing, print reproduction and framing services. Contact the team to discuss which services are available for your particular project.
About C&D Fine Art
C&D Fine Art is an independent UK fine art publisher based in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, with more than two decades of experience in fine art image capture, print production and artwork reproduction.
Discover C&D Fine Art and its specialist services.
