Fine Art Reproduction Scanning

Museum-Quality Artwork Scanning for Artists, Galleries, Collectors & Institutions.

Whether your intended goal is creating limited edition prints, documenting a collection, submitting work to galleries, or building a professional portfolio, an accurate digital representation of your original is the foundation of every successful project.

Our Unique Approach

At Hanson Digital, we believe reproducing artwork is about far more than simply putting a painting on an easel and pressing down on a shutter to take a picture.

Originals Are Unique

No two originals present the same challenges - each one has its own surface sheen, texture, and color palette. A watercolor behaves differently from an oil painting. Charcoals, pastels, photography, mixed media, textured canvas, metallic surfaces, and varnished paintings all require different lighting, and capture techniques. All require a thoughtful approach for an excellent translation into a high-quality digital file that can be repurposed for many different uses.

During the capture process, lighting can be adjusted to emphasize or minimize surface texture depending on the detail in the artwork and the desired result.

Originals are the standard for success

This individualized approach is rooted in an important distinction: photographing artwork with a traditional mindset and creating a reproduction-ready scan are not the same thing. Fine art reproduction scanning demand precision and care. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail as well as nuance. After all the digital file compared to the original itself, is the standard against which success is measured. 

For more than two decades, we've done just that, partnering with the creative communities to produce the highest quality digital copies that remain true to the original artwork while treating the art with the respect and care it deserves.

A Long-Term Investment

Your artwork represents countless hours of thought, experimentation, and craftsmanship. A single file may become the foundation for for many different uses; exhibition prints, gallery submissions, publications, licensing, online portfolios, archival documentation, or editions produced years from now.

That's why every project begins with a conversation. Understanding those long-term goals before the artwork is ever captured allows us to recommend the most appropriate workflow, file size, and service level for your project.

The Highest Standard in Capture Equipment

camera

Our Cultural Heritage capture system is built around the Phase One IQ4 150MP, along with precision optics, and preservation-grade lighting designed specifically for artwork reproduction. Unmatched by conventional photographic equipment, every component was selected for ultimate quality, color fidelity and fine detailed imaging.

lighting

Our DT Heritage lighting system delivers preservation-grade, color accuracy and consistency that meets museum and cultural heritage standards. It runs at a low, stable temperature and is virtually heat-free, with UV filtration that protects artwork from damaging infrared and ultraviolet exposure. 

Lighting can be polarized when appropriate to reduce reflections from varnished or glossy surfaces without compromising color or detail.

alignment

We utilize a laser alignment system that ensures the camera remains perfectly parallel to the artwork or original, preserving edge-to-edge sharpness as well as distortionless rendering.

A Thoughtful Process

Schedule a Drop Off

We'll schedule a convenient drop-off appointment to review your project specifications, originals, discuss your objectives and determine the most appropriate approach. It's ok if you're unsure, we can guide you through the process. 

production

Each capture is carefully evaluated for sharpness, tonal range, and overall quality. Taking the time to create the perfect scan from the beginning helps every step that follows.

If your project presents unique challenges, we'd be happy to discuss the best options for digitizing. Some of our favorite projects are the ones that don't fit neatly into a standard category.

We can accomodate originals that range from the size of a penny size to oversized pieces up to 13 feet (sometimes larger if the piece comes rolled).

Extra large files can be created with special set ups and multi-capture stitching techniques.

Whether we're reproducing a single piece of art or documenting an entire collection, every original receives the same thoughtful attention throughout the process. Our responsibility is to preserve that work in a form that can continue to be used for generations.