Which is the most suitable scanner resolution for documents?

Abstract

Defining the correct image resolution for document digitization is essential to ensure the accu- rate preservation of all necessary information while optimizing acquisition efficiency, processing

time, storage demand, and the transmission bandwidth. It is crucial that the digitization res- olution ensures that the digitized document, when printed in a high resolution at its original

dimensions, fully retains the information from the original document, thus enabling the preser- vation and maintenance of the information. Despite its importance for document engineering

and preservation, current digitization standards and recommendations are predominantly based on experimental evidence and empirical knowledge. Considering these parameters, the crucial question, “Which is the most suitable resolution for document digitization?” was recently raised by Professor George Nagy, one of the pioneers in Document Engineering, highlighting a long-standing concern that has not been adequately addressed by the research community. This work proposes an answer based on the principles of the Nyquist-Shannon theorem from Information Theory, this approach aims to provide a theoretical foundation for determining the appropriate resolution for document digitization, ensuring the preservation of information.