Make & keep
A scan cut off the handwritten caption
Preserve the complete object before making a neat crop.
A scanner preview may trim the very border that contains the most useful information.
Capture beyond the edges
Check the preview for every edge and any wording on the surround. Disable an automatic crop if it excludes part of the object. Include a small area around the strip in the master capture. Record the reverse and relevant packaging as separate views using the same collection identifier.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Make a presentation crop later
Duplicate the master and crop the copy for a page or display. Keep the complete-object capture alongside it. If a caption crosses damaged paper, transcribe only what you can read and mark gaps. Do not rebuild missing words in the master merely to make a visually tidy scan.
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