How to Scan a Microfiche to PDF (6 Steps)

1. Connect a flatbed scanner to your computer. A scanner with a resolution of 7,200 dots per inch (or greater) is recommended.
2. Install Adobe Photoshop, or similar photo editing software, and set it up so that it recognizes your scanner. The application should remain open while scanning. Set image properties in the photo editing software. The resolution should be 6,400 dots per inch or higher, at a bit depth of 48 bits.
3. Install a PDF capture and conversion utility, such as PDF Writer Pro (see Resources).
4. Place the microfiche face down on the scanner glass. Ensure that the film is positioned correctly. Close the lid of the scanner.
5. Press the 'Start' or 'Scan' button to scan the item. Once scanned, the image of the microfiche should appear in your photo editing software. Save the item as a bitmap (.BMP) or JPEG (.JPG) file.
6. Open your PDF capture and conversion utility. Point it to the image file that you just created using your scanner. Save the file as a PDF document. Image resolution should be a minimum of 600 dots per inch, with 16-bit grayscale selected.