Fine Artwork Contact-Free Scanning Services
Professional, high-resolution digitisation for fine art and original works
Original artwork, including paintings, illustrations, drawings, prints and mixed-media pieces, needs specialist care during digitisation.
Each piece may hold artistic, cultural or commercial value, so accurate capture and careful handling are essential.
Our fine artwork scanning services help protect fragile, textured and delicate originals while creating high-resolution digital files. Using contact-free capture, we can digitise artwork without placing unnecessary pressure on the surface of the piece.
At BDM ArcScan, we provide professional fine artwork scanning services for artists, galleries, museums and creative professionals.
We focus on colour accuracy, surface detail and faithful digital reproduction, helping preserve the character and creative intent of each original artwork.
Specialist Fine Artwork Scanning Services
BDM ArcScan provides fine artwork scanning services from our secure, purpose-built digitisation studio. We use the Contex HD Apeiron/42, one of the most advanced overhead, contact-free scanners available for fine art and cultural heritage digitisation.
This allows us to capture large, framed, delicate and textured artworks in high resolution, without placing pressure on the original surface.
Key capabilities include:
- Contact-free scanning for fragile, valuable and textured artwork
- Scan resolutions up to 1200 dpi
- Capture area up to 42 inches wide by 60 inches long
- Suitable for large, framed and delicate originals
- Advanced TRI-R lighting for texture, depth and tonal detail
- Image quality meeting FADGI 4-star standards
- Compliance with ISO 19264-1 for cultural heritage digitisation
- Colour Rendering Index above 98 for true-to-life colour
- ICC colour management powered by X-Rite®
Our fine artwork scanning services support digital preservation, archiving and high-quality reproduction while helping protect the original piece.
Careful Handling and Fully Managed Services
Our fine artwork scanning services are fully managed from start to finish. An experienced team oversees each project, from initial consultation through to final delivery, ensuring your original artwork is handled with care, precision and respect.
Our managed service includes:
- Careful handling by experienced digitisation specialists
- Established procedures to reduce physical contact
- A controlled studio process to help minimise environmental risk
- Project oversight from consultation to final delivery
- Consistent, high-quality digital output
- Optional digital refinement, including colour balancing and tonal correction
Any digital refinement is carried out with care. We only apply adjustments where they add genuine value, while preserving the integrity, detail and creative intent of the original artwork.
High-Resolution Digital Files for Access and Reproduction
High-resolution fine artwork scanning creates flexible digital files that can be used for archiving, print, online display and reference. Once digitised, artworks can be viewed, shared and reproduced without repeated handling of the original piece.
We can supply artwork scans for:
- Long-term digital archiving
- Fine art print reproduction
- Online galleries and websites
- Artist portfolios and submissions
- Publishing, catalogues and marketing materials
- Internal reference and collection management
Files can be supplied as high-resolution TIFFs for archival and print use, along with accessible formats such as JPEG or PDF for viewing, sharing and online display. We can also tailor file specifications to meet specific reproduction, publishing or portfolio requirements.
Discover on the right some sample scans captured with the HD Apeiron/42 across a wide range of media types, textures and substrates. Click on the image to view in more detail.
Oil, spatula on canvas
Hand-painted on amate bark paper
Oil pastels, charcoal and pencil on paper
Watercolor on paper
Oil painting in wooden frame
Fineliner on paper
Protecting Artwork Through Digitisation
Professional fine artwork scanning helps reduce the need to handle original pieces repeatedly. This is important for artworks that may be fragile, valuable, textured or sensitive to environmental exposure.
By creating high-quality digital versions, artists, galleries, museums and collectors can preserve the original while still using the artwork for study, promotion, reproduction or reference.
Digitisation helps support:
- Reduced handling of original artwork
- Long-term preservation planning
- Safer access for viewing and sharing
- Reproduction without repeated use of the original
- Digital continuity if originals become damaged, altered or inaccessible
Supporting a Wide Range of Clients and Collections
BDM ArcScan provides fine artwork scanning services for artists, galleries, museums, collectors, publishers and commercial organisations. Each project has different requirements, so we tailor our approach to suit artistic, commercial or archival needs.
Whether scanning a single piece or a full collection, we apply the same high standards of care, accuracy and professionalism throughout the project.
Industry-Leading Artwork Scanning Services You Can Trust
Our fine artwork scanning services follow strict quality control procedures at every stage. We review images for sharpness, colour accuracy and consistency, and check file formats, resolutions and specifications before delivery.
BDM ArcScan combines specialist equipment with experienced digitisation expertise to produce reliable, high-resolution digital files that faithfully reflect the original artwork.
By choosing BDM ArcScan, you work with a trusted digitisation partner that handles artwork safely, accurately and professionally.
Fine Artwork Scanning Services Across the UK
BDM ArcScan provides fine artwork scanning services across much of the UK, with regular support for artists, galleries, museums, collectors and organisations in Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, Sandbach, Congleton, Crewe and surrounding areas.
We also work with clients across Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Cheshire. For projects further afield, contact our team to discuss artwork collection, delivery or studio appointment options.
Our Fine Artwork Scanning Services can help transform
Framed and Mounted Artwork
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Large-scale artworks up to 42″ × 60″
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Oversized prints and illustrations
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Framed artworks (glazed or unglazed)
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Mounted prints and boards
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Works on backing boards or foam core
- Canvas prints
Fine Art and Original Works
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Original paintings (oil, acrylic, watercolour)
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Drawings and sketches
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Mixed-media artworks
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Illustrations and original artwork boards
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Limited edition artworks
Textured and Delicate Surfaces
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Canvas-based artworks
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Works with heavy brush strokes or impasto
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Charcoal and pastel drawings
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Fragile or friable media
- Material grains and fibres
Heritage, and Museum Pieces
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Museum and gallery collections
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Cultural heritage artworks
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Historic and rare art objects
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Conservation and reference collections
Why choose BDM ArcScan and our Fine Artwork Scanning Services?
Experience and Knowledge
BDM ArcScan has the experience and knowledge which understands the specialist care and requirements required within the libraries, archives and heritage sectors. This has been done through working within these sectors for over 25 years and developing key preservation strategies and processes.
Quality Digitisation
Our standard processes and techniques for scanning exceed our competitors. This includes using the highest DPI settings, helpful image enhancements and indexing/naming as standard and not as a costly option. This delivers our customer’s real value for money without any compromises.
Affordability and Value
We understand how important it is to improve the accessibility of our heritage. Digital transformation is key for the future ahead and BDM ArcScan wants all libraries, archives and heritage environments to benefit. This is why we create tailored project plans that offer the best value possible.
Cloud Accessibility
As well as being able to provide digital files on traditional media such as discs or hard drives, we also offer a completely secure cloud service for a low monthly cost. View, share and download files from anywhere at any time with no limit on storage space.
Care and Attention
With a schedule of condition completed for each project, we assess the condition of each item individually before any work is carried out. This ensures the item is correctly handled and the appropriate scanning resource is used to achieve the best quality results.
Technology and Innovation
Our digitisation studio is equipped with the latest in scanning and software technology. From professional heritage overhead and V-shaped book scanners to innovative flatbed and photo scanners, we can handle a variety of items safely and effectively to meet all requirements.
Speed and Efficiency
With our digitisation studio managed by our expert team, we can quickly implement and manage projects to meet critical time scales. With the ability to share completed files via our secure cloud, projects can be completed quickly without compromising on image quality or artefact care.