Getting the best scan possible depends on several factors, including the quality of your original and the resolution you select. The better your original is, the better your scan will be. To get the best possible scan, keep the document table clean, and make sure the document is flat against the glass surface. You can make many corrections in your scanning software (EPSON Scan, or LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast if you have the Professional or Professional FireWire model of the scanner). For additional photo retouching, use an image editing program such as Adobe Photoshop Elements.
Resolution refers to how many dots per inch (dpi) or dots per centimeter (dpcm) your image contains. The best resolution for a scanned image depends on the type of image you're scanning and your final output device.
For most images, use a scanning resolution that is approximately one third of your output resolution. For example, use a scanning resolution of 200 dpi if you want to print at 600 dpi. If you're scanning an image to view on-screen, choose a resolution
of 96 dpi.
Follow the guidelines in this table for selecting a resolution:
If you plan to enlarge your image, it's better to enlarge it by scanning at a higher resolution. If you change the image resolution or size in an application, you lose image quality. Keep this in mind when scanning small photos or film that you plan to enlarge.
If the colors in your scanned image don't match those in your original document, try experimenting with the Document Type/Image Type settings and Image Adjustment settings to adjust the colors. Also, try selecting just the area that you want to scan with a marquee (see "Selecting the Scanning Area in the Preview Window"). This will let the scanner software choose the optimum color and exposure settings for that part of the image. If there is a border around your image or if the document cover is in the scanning area, this may adjust the exposure and colors in your scan.