Scanning with Image Capture App

Step 1

Place the item to be scanned in the automatic document feeder or glass (flatbed), paying attention to the orientation of the item to be positioned as directed on the scanner itself.

Step 2

Open the Image Capture application from the Applications folder

Step 3

Looking at the left sidebar: If you do not see any devices listed under “SHARED”, hover over the area circled which will cause “Show” to appear; click "Show" to reveal any available scanners.

Step 4

Clicking on the scanner name triggers the “Overview scan” process to begin. This does not mean the scanned file has been created — this is only a preview of what is to be scanned for the creation of the file. It is normal for the overview scan image to look distorted and unreadable —full resolution and clarity will be present in the file once it is created.

The overview scan section will understandably be a blank white space when using the document feeder.

Step 5

In the right sidebar, select Scan Mode:

Flatbed — the flat, glass part of the scanner where the item is positioned during the scan process. This can be used to scan items that would otherwise not fit into the document feeder thus causing a jam or malfunction within the document feeder.

Document Feeder — part of the scanner that takes several pages and feeds the paper one page at a time. This is good to use for multiple-page documents and eliminates the need to remove and place pages individually onto the scanner's glass (flatbed).

Step 6

Select the Kind: Text, Black and White, or Color:

Text — most basic setting, general purpose, black and white only, small file size makes E-mailing and sharing with others easier, and takes up less hard drive space

Black and White — also known as “Grayscale”, creates more of a photo effect/higher-quality image but in black and white. This setting generates moderately-large-sized files. This is best used when the item to be scanned is low quality, hard to read, is faded, or is distorted in any way prior to scanning.

Color — full color, photo effect/higher-quality image, largest file size, slower scan time. We do not recommend using the Color setting unless it is absolutely necessary

Step 7

Review and select all remaining settings:

Resolution — we recommend 300dpi or less to keep file sizes minimal/lightweight/easy to share. Avoid selecting 600dpi and Text settings, which together have proven to be problematic and will cause crashes.

Size — Size of the page: Letter, Legal, etc.

Scan To — Choose a location where the file will be saved once it is created. Default location is “Pictures” folder.

Name — Input a filename here

Format — Choose the file format. We recommend selecting PDF unless otherwise desired/instructed.

Combine into single document — If checked, allows creation of (1) file with multiple pages. This works only when PDF is selected as the Format. Each time the “Scan” button is clicked and the filename is unchanged, Image Capture will continue to add any item(s) scanned into the same file.

Step 8

Click the “Scan” button, then a “Scan Results” window will appear.

Wait a few moments for the scan to complete, then a thumbnail preview of the item will appear.

Click the magnifying glass which will bring you directly to the file’s location in the Finder.

Step 9

Open the file in the PDF or image viewer app of choice.

We recommend using Preview, which is the native Mac application for PDF viewing and editing.

Notice that by zooming to 150%, the image has full clarity and quality.

If you did not give the file a specific or unique name earlier, rename the file at this point if you are satisfied with the results of the scan.