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Best Scanners For Mac Graphic Design For 2024

Brandon Forder
  Apr 19, 2024 5:45 PM

We researched the top photo scanners for Macs in 2022 so you don't have to.

Some multifunction printer/scanners can also scan documents, however the quality of the scan is usually poor, and it's not always possible to scan negatives or film.

If you want to improve the quality of your scanned photos and images, consider investing in a photo scanner.

Photos made before the widespread availability of digital cameras and smartphones can be preserved in digital form and shared with loved ones.

It’s also a terrific way to backup your photo collection by saving them to an external hard drive or printing them off to share to others.

The picture scanners described here were chosen because they are optimized for scanning photographs at a high resolution while also being fully compatible with Macs, in contrast to document scanners.

The scanners discussed here are all compatible with macOS Monterey and later, as well as the most recent versions of macOS, including the newest Apple Silicon M1 Macs.


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Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Before I start presenting the top scanners for graphic artists, why let me explain you how to find them. Let me explain you what makes a scanner worth acquiring and what particular feature (that lacks) makes an alternative a terrible decision. Below are some selection metrics that you must seek into any prospective scanner before clicking the payment button.

Connectivity

Although wireless connections have become the norm, many scanners continue to rely on antiquated technologies. Even the greatest scanners for graphic artists often only provide two connection types: USB and Wi-Fi.

 

Both offer certain benefit for the end outcome of your scanning initiatives thus please look which device has greater scanning functionality with either of connectivity techniques.

Size

The standard scanning dimensions for most scanners are roughly the same as an A4 sheet of paper. If you want to scan large pieces of artwork without having to wrestle with your scanner, you should look at scanners that support larger dimensions. If you go with a less beefy piece of equipment, you could have to scan only half of the artwork at a time, which could negatively impact the digital quality.

Image Quality

When looking for the best scanners for designers, image quality is an important consideration. If you’re buying a scanner for casual, non-professional work, then any entry level scanner will be sufficient to meet your needs. But if you need a scanner that can handle professional-level scans, you should check out how good the images look on the potential model.

Speed

Keep in mind that the number of pages per minute a scanner can scan is a crucial criterion when making a purchase. Faster scanners will cost more than slower ones, but you should expect to pay at least $100 for each additional page scanned in a minute.

You should select a scanner whose scanning speed is optimal for your needs based on the expected volume of documents you will be scanning.

Paper Size

Find out what the largest paper size is that your prospective scanner can handle. The usual letter size is 8.5” x 11” (215,9 x 279,4 mm) (215,9 x 279,4 mm). Therefore, you should determine if the scanner's maximum scanning size is suitable for your needs.

Budget

Obviously, the more money you spend on a scanner, the more options it will have.

If you're willing to spend a lot of money, you can get yourself a scanner with all the bells and whistles. In this piece, I'll thus recommend some of the best cheap scanners currently on the market.

Now that you have a clearer concept of what you should keep in mind before buying your new scanning machine, let’s find out which are the best ones for easy digitalization work.

Compatibility

TWAIN driver compatibility ensures that they can be used with any OCR or document management program. For businesses that wish to use their own scanning software with a photo scanner, this is a must-have feature. This also ensures compatibility with macOS's built-in freebies like Preview and Image Capture in the event that the scanner's original software is unusable or cumbersome.

Help for Apple AirPrint means you can start using your scanner immediately without hunting down the original installation files. Although Apple created AirPrint to wirelessly link printers to Macs, it may also be used to attach USB picture scanners.

Quality and Versatility

Macs are robust computers that can do a variety of tasks. Choose a printer that not only works well with Mac OS and iOS, but also offers all the capabilities you'll need to get the most out of your Mac. High-quality printing requires a printer with high color resolution and the ability to use more than one ink cartridge. If you need a Mac for work, it's worth looking into the options that maximize productivity and streamline your processes. Consider options like the best laser printer if laser printing is more your speed. Find a small printer if you're limited on space at home. One of the greatest ways to save money is to invest in a printer that uses low-cost ink and is compatible with Mac computers.


FAQS

Which printer works best with Mac?

The best Mac printers are those that work seamlessly with other Apple devices. Wi-Fi connectivity is typically required because Macs can only detect printers on the same wireless network. In order to make use of iCloud for tasks like printing and scanning, you'll need a printer that is compatible with iCloud.

Can you use any printer with a Mac?

With the advent of wireless printing technology, most new printers can be utilized with a Mac. In the event that a printer does not support wireless printing, you can try connecting it to your Mac via USB; however, your Mac may require a driver installation prior to doing so. When shopping for a wireless printer for your Mac, it's important to find one whose features work with your workflow.

How do I add a printer to my Mac computer?

If your printer and Mac are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network, your Mac should detect it immediately. You can verify this by going to the printers area of your computer's settings. There should be an entry for your printer. Alternately, you may simply begin a print job, and if the printer is connected, you'll see it as an option to print to.


Conclusion

You can use the above recommendations as a starting point for your search for the best scanners for Mac graphic design. If you locate a scanner outside this list that you're interested in purchasing, be sure it satisfies the criteria outlined in the introduction.


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