Art scanning, without sending the original away.
Best Framing scans paintings, drawings and photographs in Costa Mesa, Orange County, at up to 600 dpi on its large-format flatbed scanner, where even a large painting goes face down on the glass. The original is reproduced here and never mailed to an outside lab.
What resolution do you scan artwork at?
Up to 600 dpi on our flatbed scanner, an SMA VersaScan 4870. Art and photographs go on the glass and come back as a high-resolution file, prepared and color-matched here before anything is printed.
The flatbed scanner
An SMA VersaScan 4870. Paintings, drawings and photographs go on the glass and are reproduced at up to 600 dpi.
The RIP station
Where the file is prepared, proofed and color-matched before anything is printed.
Can you scan a large painting?
Yes. Our large-format flatbed scanner takes paintings a traditional scanner cannot fit, and the original never leaves the building.
- Glass cleaned
- The scanner glass is wiped clean before the original goes on it.
- Face down
- The painting is lowered face down onto the large-format bed.
- Up to 600 dpi
- Every brushstroke and detail, captured as a high-resolution file.
- Checked on screen
- Our digital artists make sure the color and the composition are true to the original before anything is printed.
How do you match the color to the original?
Our digital artists go over every file on screen, making sure the color and the composition are up to par, on the same floor and with the same color management as our giclée prints.
Proof prints are weighted flat in the shop before an edition is printed. Our in-house team scans, prepares and color-manages the file, which gives us direct control over the color.
- File preparation
- Prepress assistance on every file, before anything is printed.
- Color management
- Run through every print in the lab, from the 64-inch giclée printer to the UV flatbed.
- Color matching
- The file is matched here, on the same floor the frame is built on.
What do you get back from a scan?
A high-resolution file, prepared and color-matched here. From there it can become an archival giclée print, a canvas, a print on wood or aluminum, or simply a file you keep.
An archival giclée
On canvas, cold-press watercolor paper or matte or luster cotton papers, up to 64 inches wide, with archival pigment inks.
A canvas
Printed here and stretched in house, then hung as it is or set in a float frame.
Wood, acrylic or aluminum
Printed straight onto the material on our 60 × 96 inch UV flatbed.
A common version of this job: the original goes back on the wall in its own frame, and the copy is what gets sent to the rest of the family.
What does art scanning cost, and how do I start?
Scanning is quoted in person and per piece, once we have seen the original. Walk in Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm or Saturday 9am to 1pm with the piece, no appointment required.
Starting to sell your work?
If you are just starting to reproduce your artwork and are looking for some guidance, we are happy to meet with you to provide some options and recommendations for ways to develop your artwork into a business.
A family photograph?
A one-of-a-kind painting or a fragile family photograph can be scanned and printed here, and the copy framed on the same floor. Professional photo printing runs through the same color matching as every print in the lab.
The questions people ask at the counter, answered.
From what can be framed and choosing the right glass to mounting jerseys, printing artwork and protecting the pieces that matter, we answer the questions our customers ask us every day.
- Scanning an original you would rather not put in the mailLarge-format scanning up to 600 dpi, checked by our digital artists: a one-of-a-kind original reproduced in Costa Mesa without leaving the building.Read Article
Canvas, printed and stretched in the same buildingHow a canvas print is made and framed in one building: archival giclée, stretched in house, then hung as it is or set in a float frame. From Costa Mesa.Read Article
What is UV printing?How UV flatbed printing puts color straight onto wood, acrylic, aluminum, tile and more, with examples from our Costa Mesa print lab.Read Article
Museum glass vs regular glass, and what the glass over your art is doingMuseum-quality and UV-protective glazing vs regular glass: what each does for your art, plus acid-free mats and conservation framing. From Costa Mesa.Read Article
Art scanning, asked at the counter.
How much does it cost to get art scanned?
We quote scanning in person and per piece, once we have seen the original. Bring it to the counter in Costa Mesa, Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm or Saturday 9am to 1pm, and we will quote it there.
What resolution do you scan at?
Up to 600 dpi on our flatbed scanner, an SMA VersaScan 4870. Art and photographs come back as a high-resolution file, prepared and color-matched here.
Can you scan a large painting?
Yes. Our large-format flatbed scanner takes paintings a traditional scanner cannot fit: the piece goes face down on the glass and is captured at up to 600 dpi.
Do I get the digital file?
Yes. A scan can become an archival print, a canvas or a print on wood or aluminum, or simply a file you keep.
Do I need an appointment to bring in an original?
No. Walk in Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm or Saturday 9am to 1pm, no appointment required. The piece is reproduced here, and the original goes back on the wall or into its frame untouched.
Still wondering? Come in and ask. No appointment required.
Print and frame what you love. Visit the showroom.
No appointment required.
- Call
- (949) 791-8780
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
Sat 9am-1pm
Bring us the thing you love.
Walk in with it and talk it through with a designer. No appointment required, though you are welcome to book one.
1671 Placentia AvenueCosta Mesa, CA 92627
- Call(949) 791-8780
- HoursMon-Fri 10am-5pm · Sat 9am-1pm · Sun closed
- Talk to a designer nowStart a Video CallSomeone is on the floor Mon-Fri 10am-5pm and Sat 9am-1pm, Costa Mesa time
- Book an appointmentPick a time with a designerAppointments are optional. Walk-ins are welcome.