Newspaper scanning and digitization is the process of converting physical newspapers into digital formats. This involves scanning printed pages into high-resolution images and using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to make the text searchable and accessible online or through digital archives.
Digitization preserves fragile historical documents, improves accessibility for researchers and the public, enables full-text search, reduces storage costs, and protects against deterioration, loss, or natural disasters.
Common formats include:
TIFF (for high-quality archival images)
PDF (for easy viewing and sharing)
JPEG/PNG (for web-accessible images)
XML/ALTO (for storing OCR and metadata)
OCR accuracy depends on the condition of the newspaper, font type, layout, and scan quality. Older or damaged newspapers may require manual correction. Modern software with AI-enhanced OCR can achieve 85–98% accuracy.
Costs vary based on volume, paper condition, desired resolution, and whether OCR and metadata tagging are included. Time also depends on these factors—digitizing thousands of pages can take weeks or months.
While microfilm is a durable preservation format, it still degrades over time. Digitally scanning your microfilm ensures your records are future-proof, easily accessible, and protected against physical damage.
Costs vary depending on volume and film condition, but scanning is a one-time investment that saves money long-term by reducing storage costs and improving efficiency.
Yes! Most modern scanning solutions include Optical Character Recognition (OCR), allowing documents to be indexed and searched by keywords—saving time and improving access.
Timelines depend on the size and condition of your collection, but most scanning providers can give estimates based on a sample reel or fiche.
Nearly all formats—including 16mm, 35mm rolls, microfiche, and aperture cards—can be digitized with today’s technology.
