Manga scanning: a practical example

by

Manga scanning, also known as “raw scanning” or “scanning raws,” is the process of digitizing physical manga books to create high-quality scans. While this practice is widely associated with the fan translation community, it is also used by collectors, researchers, and archivists who want to preserve rare or out-of-print manga. This article provides a practical example of manga scanning, outlining each step of the process from preparation to post-processing.

Preparing for the Scanning Process

Before starting the scanning process, it’s important to gather the necessary tools. Here are the key items required:

  • A flatbed scanner: A high-resolution scanner (preferably 600 dpi or higher) ensures clear and detailed scans.
  • A craft knife or box cutter: Used to carefully remove the pages from the book’s binding.
  • A cutting mat and ruler: Helps in cutting perfectly straight edges.
  • Cleaning supplies: A microfiber cloth or compressed air to remove dust from the scanner bed.
  • Image editing software: Photoshop or GIMP is commonly used for cleaning and adjusting the scanned pages.

Step 1: Dismantling the Manga

The first and most critical step is carefully dismantling the manga book. Many scanners prefer to scan pages individually to avoid distortion caused by the book’s spine. To do this:

  1. Open the book and locate the spine.
  2. Use a craft knife to cut through the glue binding, ensuring no pages are torn.
  3. Separate each page carefully and stack them in order.

This step requires precision, as damaging the pages can result in lower-quality scans.

Step 2: Scanning the Manga

Once the pages are separated, the scanning process begins. Follow these guidelines for optimal results:

  • Set the scanner to grayscale mode for black-and-white manga, or color mode for colored pages.
  • Use a resolution of at least 600 dpi to capture fine details and allow for editing without loss of quality.
  • Ensure the pages are aligned correctly on the scanner bed to minimize cropping errors.
  • Use a weight (such as a heavy book) to keep the page flat against the scanner glass.

Step 3: Cleaning and Editing Scans

Once the pages are scanned, the images often have imperfections like dust, discoloration, or uneven lighting. Using image editing software, these issues can be corrected:

  • Cropping: Remove unnecessary borders and ensure the pages are properly aligned.
  • Contrast adjustment: Enhance the black-and-white balance to improve readability.
  • Removing noise: Use filters to clean grainy or speckled areas in the scan.
  • Fixing distortions: If a page is slightly curved or bent, perspective correction tools can help straighten it.

For fan translation groups, additional editing steps include typesetting and inserting translated text into speech bubbles, typically using fonts that resemble the original manga style.

Step 4: Saving and Organizing

Once cleaned, the scanned pages should be saved in an appropriate format:

  • TIFF or PNG: These formats retain image quality without compression artifacts.
  • JPEG: Useful for smaller file sizes, but may result in quality loss over multiple edits.
  • PDF: Used for compiling entire chapters or volumes.

Properly naming and organizing files helps keep track of scanned manga, especially when working with large collections. A common naming format might be: Title_Volume_Chapter_PageNumber.png.

Accessing the Theme Files

Ethical Considerations of Manga Scanning

While scanning manga for personal use or preservation purposes is generally acceptable, sharing copyrighted material without permission is illegal in many countries. Some publishers have embraced digital distribution, making it unnecessary to scan manga for online reading. Always respect the rights of creators and support official releases whenever possible.

Conclusion

Manga scanning is a meticulous process that requires patience and precision. Whether for personal archiving, research, or editing, following these steps ensures high-quality scans that preserve the original artwork. With the right tools and techniques, anyone can digitize their manga collection while respecting ethical guidelines.