Question about scanning artwork to put on digital scrapbook

[Klaher]

Hi! I have a question about scanning in a snail I painted in watercolor that I want to use on a digital scrapbook layout. I scanned it in and put it in Photoshop and cut it out on its on layer. When I went to use it on a digital paper it was pixelated. What did I do wrong? I have several little paintings I would love to use along with the kits I have purchased! Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[jacinda]

I never have much luck with scanning. Was the dpi on your scanner set to the highest setting? I usually photograph things like that, and extract it in photoshop if I need to.

 

[SeattleSheri]

Like Jacinda alluded to, it sounds like it wasn't scanned in at a high enough resolution. I would rescan it and make sure the setting is between 300-600DPI. I don't know how large the image is that you are scanning, but think of it relative to the canvas size (12x12" at 300 DPI = 3600x3600 pixels). The dimensions of your image will need 300 pixels for every inch. Alternatively, you could change the DPI on the scrap supplies to be smaller (for example, you could resize the standard paper to150DPI resolution, so the dimensions are 1800x1800 and your image would appear larger on the canvas), you just might lose some quality if you ever print the final product -- though 150 usually looks just fine.

HTH! Good luck.

 

[Klaher]

Thanks!

I will try scanning it again. It is quite small.