Make & keep
Record a reference alongside your strip scan
Make future comparisons easier without claiming perfect colour.
A reference included in a capture can document the conditions under which a digital copy was made.
Keep the portrait unobstructed
If using a colour or scale reference, place it beside the strip rather than over its border. Make a full capture that includes both, then save a cropped presentation copy separately. Record the reference, scanner or camera and relevant settings so another person understands what the file represents.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Use the reference honestly
A target in the picture does not automatically calibrate a workflow. Compare your captures consistently and avoid claiming that a faded original has recovered its historical colour. Keep an unedited master and state what corrections you made. For demanding reproduction work, seek an appropriate documented colour-management process.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- US National Archives — digitising family archivesPreservation guidance