Support Scanners DS Series Epson WorkForce DS-40

The quality of a scanned image with Epson Scan is poor. What should I do?

  • Back of Original Image Appears in Scanned Image

    If an image from the back of a thin original appears in your scanned image, make sure you selected the correct Image Type setting for your original and select the Text Enhancement setting in Epson Scan.

    Scanned Characters are Blurry

    If characters in your scanned images are blurry, try these solutions:

    • Make sure you do not move the scanner or original while scanning.
    • Operate the scanner on a flat, stable surface.
    • Adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:

      • Select the Text Enhancement setting.
      • Adjust the Threshold setting.
      • Increase the Resolution setting.
    Related tasks
    Scanning with Epson Scan

    Characters are not Recognized During Conversion to Editable Text (OCR)

    If characters in your scanned images are not recognized during OCR conversion, try these solutions:

    • Make sure your original is straight.
    • Adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:
      • Select Text Enhancement
      • Select the correct Image Type setting
      • Adjust the Threshold setting
    • Set the scanning resolution between 200 and 600 dpi.
    • If you are using OCR software, check the manual for any additional adjustments.
    Related tasks
    Scanning Using OCR - Windows
    Scanning Using OCR - OS X

    Ripple Patterns Appear in an Image

    You may see a ripple pattern (called a moiré) in scanned images of printed documents. This is caused by interference from differing pitches in the scanner's screen and your original's halftone screen. To reduce this effect, adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:

    • Select the Descreening setting.
    • Select a lower Resolution setting.
    Related tasks
    Scanning with Epson Scan

    Spots or Lines Appear in All Scanned Images

    If spots or lines appear in all your scanned images, try these solutions:

    • Clean inside the scanner using the cleaning sheets.
    • Calibrate the scanner.

    Note: If you are scanning a plastic card with a shiny surface, it can create a line in the scan.

    Related tasks
    Cleaning Inside Your Scanner
    Calibrating Your Scanner

    Scanned Image Edges are Cropped

    If the edges of a scanned image are cropped, try the following solutions:

    • Select Auto Detect as the Size setting (Epson Scan) or the Document Size setting (Document Capture Pro or Document Capture).
    • Adjust the cropping area shown in the Crop Margins for Size "Auto" setting in Epson Scan.
      • Document Capture Pro (Windows): Select Detailed Settings from the Scan window. Click Configuration and select the Document tab. Adjust the cropping area shown in the Crop Margins for Size "Auto" setting.
      • Document Capture (OS X): Open the Scan menu and select Display the EPSON Scan Setup Screen. Click the Scan button. Select Main Settings from the Scan window. Click Configuration and select the Document tab. Adjust the cropping area shown in the Crop Margins for Size "Auto" setting.
    Related tasks
    Scanning with Epson Scan
Published:  Jun 2, 2014 Was this helpful?​ Thank you for the feedback!
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