The Great Scanner Debacle: A Tale of Sandpaper and Tears

By Dorrin Gingerich

A few weeks ago, I decided to invest into my art career by buying an Epson - Perfection V39 II scanner. I've been paying for third-party businesses to scan my artwork and its a real drain on my wallet. So and I thought, “Why not save money and do it myself?" Armed with confidence, I unboxed my shiny new scanner, ready to revolutionize my workflow.

Except… it turns out that my scanner was less of a revolutionary tool and just trouble.

Here’s the deal: my scanner was perfect for paper but terrible for canvases. The raised edge around the scanning bed meant my paintings couldn’t lay flat against the glass, as a result the images come out blurry. I can already hear you saying, “Just buy a flat scanner.” I looked! But apparently all flatbed art scanners with no edges must cost way more. The one I would need is Epson Expression 13000XL around so expensive for someone living on disability. 

Desperate to make this work, I had a crazy idea: what if I sanded down the edges of the scanner?

I borrowed an electric sander from a friend, and went to town. After two days of intense DIY surgery, I reassembled it, ready to scan like a pro. I was so hopeful.

Instead, I was greeted by a few lines. Perpendicular lines. Beautiful, soul-crushing lines. Every scan now had multiple thin lines going through the image.

Did I give up? I wanted to bit No, I doubled down. I bought another scanner (yes, I really did that), transplanted my “customized” pieces onto it, and… more lines.

At that point, I did the only logical thing left: I laid on the floor and cried a little. It felt hopeless. I have artwork I need to send to customers, but I can’t afford to get it scanned. My work computer crashed last year, and I’m still saving up for a new one. In the meantime, I’m using a 13-year-old laptop that someone gave me and I can hear it begging to die. Now I need a scanner too. Why can’t a company just make an affordable flat scanner? Why do I have such terrible luck?

Josh, ever the supportive husband, found me mid-meltdown and reminded me that every business has setbacks. His pep talk didn’t erase the streaks, but it did pull me out of my funk—at least for now. 

Thank goodness for the Public Library.

I read somewhere that public Libraries will sometimes have an archive room that will have a high quality scanner. I figured those were only in big cities; but out of desperation, I checked my local library. Surprise! They have a scanner free to use. I'm not sure if it's going to work and it's not a long term solution. but it might be exactly what I need. So fingers crossed.

P.S. If you’ve got tips for scanning art or your own story of creative mishaps, share them! Misery—and streaks—love company.