Publishing
IDI has an excellent track record for scanning high profile and high volume publishing projects.
Almost three decades of successful project deliveries, working with libraries, museums, and historical societies for all the major publishers.
Our efficient customized processes for managing onsite and offsite content around the world have led us to capturing millions of images at institutions such as the British Library, Princeton University, and the New York Public Library.
- IDI has written custom software including workflow for cropping, inspection, sizing, and managing and tracking large volumes of images created from microfilm or hard copy publications. IDI has partners throughout the world that can manage our back end processing work. IDI latest software development tools allow for low resolution images to be sent via FTP in large volumes overnight. Large teams can work on our images at night in India and e-mail back the next day a file that is applied to our high resolution files for auto cropping. The high resolution files never leave our facility in N.J.
- IDI is committed to library and museums and we have successfully scanned and delivered for over 100 libraries in the metropolitan area. IDI also has developed a digital portal DigiFind-it for displaying and retrieving library content.
- IDI is a Kirtas (robotic book scanner) reseller and also utilizes 8 Kirtas scanners, allowing for large volumes of bound materials to be captured without damaging bindings.
- IDI has trained technicians to maintain the Kirtas units to minimize down time.
- IDI utilizes 2 NextScan Flex Scan microfilm/fiche scanners that are the top of the line for microform capture. These units utilize a ribbon technology that permit IDI to scan 400dpi grayscale at full equipment speeds and produce the best quality image possible.
- IDI has Contex large format scanners for capturing maps in color gray or black and white.
- All IDI employees are required to have background checks.
- IDI is trusted with the scanning for eight of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and publishing companies.
- IDI owns a microfilm facility in Ct. to produce microfilm or fiche from digital images when required.
- IDI’s facility is a secure facility (passed an FDA audit) with a security camera system and pass code locks.
- IDI has its own truck and driver for pick-ups and deliveries.
FAQs
Yes. We offer “Scan-on-Demand” services. If you urgently need a file that is currently in our queue, our team will locate it, scan it immediately, and securely email or upload it to you within hours.
We offer three options: we can securely return your documents in their original order, provide long-term archival storage, or perform certified shredding with a Certificate of Destruction once you have verified your digital files.
For standard reading, we typically scan at 300 DPI. For archival preservation or rare manuscripts, we can go up to 600 DPI or higher. You will receive your files in your choice of format, most commonly:
- PDF: The industry standard for long-term digital preservation.
- TIFF: High-resolution, uncompressed images for archival masters.
- JPEG: Optimized for quick viewing and web sharing.
The “Gutter” Problem
One thing many people don’t realize is the “gutter shadow”—that dark blur in the middle of the pages. IDI uses Software Correction, to digitally flatten the page curve and removes shadows to make the digital page look as flat as a sheet of paper.
It depends on the method you choose. We offer two primary types of book scanning:
- Non-Destructive Scanning: We use specialized overhead “planetary” scanners and V-shaped cradles that hold the book at a gentle angle. This is “white-glove” treatment—the spine is never pressed flat, and no pages are removed.
- Destructive Scanning: If preservation isn’t a priority, we can cut the spine (disbinding) and use high-speed sheet-fed scanners. This is faster and more cost-effective but permanently alters the book.
