How to Scan Blueprints With a Plotter: Step-by-Step Guide

Right now, we're seeing an explosion in technological advancements of all kinds. People are incorporating new kinds of technology or existing technology in new ways into their workflows to improve productivity and streamline processes. Blueprints are no stranger to technology. In fact, there was a time when the original concept of blueprints was a cutting-edge technology in its own right. However, today’s computers can do a lot of things that people would have thought impossible when blueprints were first invented. Taking advantage of these new capabilities starts with learning how to scan blueprints.

Once you know how to scan blueprints to get them digitised, you can take advantage of all the benefits of scanning blueprints.

Let's go over why scanning blueprints is so vital, the step-by-step process for how to scan blueprints, and all the wonders that scanning blueprints can unlock for you.

You may know that scanning blueprints is possible but not really understand why you would want to. The benefits of scanning blueprints are numerous and wide-ranging.

Scanning blueprints allows you to have much more freedom and near-endless options. It also makes everything else much easier. Here are some of the most impressive benefits of scanning blueprints.

• Digitising blueprints allows you to preserve old blueprints for reference.
• You save space.
• They are more accessible.
• They're easier to share.
• You can annotate and add to them easily.
• Digital blueprints are more environmentally friendly.
• You can access them from anywhere.
• They're more searchable.

These are just the most notable benefits of scanning blueprints. There are so many more.

Time is money. Efficiency is the key to maintaining profitability. Scanning blueprints improves efficiency in a variety of ways.

• Quickly find the blueprints you're looking for.
• Easily make notes and changes to designs.
• Send blueprints to colleagues and clients faster.
• Look at blueprints from any device instead of having to travel to their physical location.
• They make the permit process faster and easier.

Scanning blueprints speeds up and simplifies every aspect of the design process. Digital blueprints are the future.

When learning how to scan blueprints, proper preparation is the first step.

To get the highest quality scans possible, you must ensure the integrity of the original document. That means keeping your blueprints in a safe place away from sunlight and handling them with care to avoid damage.

Clean digital blueprints require clean originals. First, clean any dirt or debris. Then, remove any binders and clips. Finally, flatten them as best you can. This prevents any folds, creases, or bumps from affecting the image quality.

Let's go over how to scan blueprints one step at a time. Each step is vital for high-quality digital blueprint documents.

Before scanning blueprints, make sure your plotter printer is set up correctly.

For the best results, choose the correct settings for content type, original paper type, and input size. If you're worried about damaging the blueprints, then you can select the "Reduce scan speed to enhance image quality" setting.

Typically, the higher the resolution, the better the scan quality will be. Due to the level of detail typically found in blueprints, 300 dpi is a popular choice. However, if your blueprints have particularly intricate details, you may want to choose an even higher resolution.

The next thing you have to do is decide what file format you want the plotter to use. The most common file types for blueprints are PDF and TIFF. Which one you choose will depend on your needs.

Choose PDF when:

• Extra file security matters
• You need the text to be searchable
• You want them to be easily viewable on your browser

Choose TIFF when:

• You need the image quality preserved
• Having a lossless file format is a priority
• You need something that supports multiple layers

You can scan blueprints to various places, including:

• Your computer
• A network folder
• An email address
• A USB flash drive
• The cloud

Once you choose a file format, decide on your scanning destination, and scan your blueprint, you can store your document and share it easily.

It's best to have a system for organising your digital blueprints. This will make them easier to find later. The best long-term solution is to save the files to cloud storage, which can grow with your business.

Cloud storage makes the files accessible from anywhere and to anyone with the right access. It also ensures you won't lose them should your computer become damaged or unusable.

A PDF might be the best option when you need to allow editing and comments on blueprints for collaboration.

You can scan blueprints directly to email for easy sharing. Come up with a system for naming files. For example, you may want to use the format "[Project Name]-[Blueprint Name]-[Date]" or something similar to make them easy to find.

Utilise your files' metadata and description options to make them searchable and easy to find.

HP plotters have a hard-won reputation for quality. There are good reasons that HP plotters are considered among the best.

HP plotter printers have the ability to create the highest-quality scans of your blueprints. You choose your desired resolution, and your HP plotter will create a high-quality scan to ensure you can see even the smallest detail.

HP plotters like the HP DesignJet T850/950 36-in Multifunction Printer allow integrated scanning. With a printer, scanner, touchscreen, and stacker all in one, you can:

• Scan blueprints with One-Click copy and scan shortcuts
• View blueprints quickly and easily
• Share blueprints securely with HP Wolf Pro security
• Capture and share feedback
• Enable archiving
• Track and record project changes
• Print quickly and easily from anywhere with the HP app
• Meet your corporate environmental goals with a plotter containing up to 35% recycled plastic

Understanding how to scan blueprints to streamline your workflow, increase efficiency, and improve productivity is important. Scanning blueprints allows you to do so much more and so much more easily.

Once your blueprints are digitised, you can easily:

• Make changes
• Collaborate with others
• Share files with clients
• See notes and suggestions
• Archive and preserve blueprints and architectural drawings
• Search for blueprints easily
• View and share blueprints from anywhere
• So much more!

HP is a trusted partner in all things scanning and printing related. Choosing an HP Plotter for scanning blueprints ensures you get the best results. To start taking advantage of HP's high-quality blueprint scanning capabilities, check out our promotions. Find the best option for your needs and save money in the process.