Document Delivery: Quality

Documents are scanned in CISTI's IntelliDoc system at 300 dots-per-inch (DPI). While it is possible for us to scan at higher resolution (up to 400 DPI), we do not because the slower scanning speed would result in slower turnaround times for all documents and because it is rarely necessary. CISTI has designed its system to ensure that there is a good compromise between understandable text and graphics. Text usually scans very well. However, graphics and photo images on the same page may not scan with as good resolution as the original.

After scanning, the images are transferred in a matter of seconds to queues for Ariel and fax delivery. Ariel documents are delivered to a client Ariel workstation and usually printed on a conventional laser printer, at 300+ DPI, which ensures that the client obtains the same quality print as the scanned image.

By comparision, most fax machines only print at 200 DPI, which may further reduce the resolution of the document.

With fax technology it is always difficult to strike a balance between readable text and readable graphics. If the text is dark enough to read easily, then the graphics may come out too dark, or blacked out entirely. If the graphics are easily read, then the text may be too light.

In the past, CISTI clients brought to our attention that the graphics and particularly photo images on documents we faxed them were blacked out and incomprehensible. CISTI is now sending fax copies that represent the best compromise between text that can be read and images that can be understood by our clients.

CISTI always recommends Ariel for clients concerned about image quality.

For more information on the quality of documents delivered by CISTI, or any other Document Delivery issues, contact the Help Desk:

Phone: 1-800-668-1222 (Canada & US) or 613 998-8544
Fax: 613 993-7619
E-mail: info.cisti@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca