I scan them, and they seem way too light. Someone mentioned something about color profiles, but I have no idea about them.
What make is your scanner? I know my older Epson and my new Canon allow you to alter all manner of settings that could effect the colour. If it's a Canon I can do a screen grab of my setting and then you can just copy them to yours. Yakumo
Use imaging software to decrease the contrast? I've had issues like this when scanning clothes, but a simple decease in contrast fixed the issue most of the time. It also helps to have a modern scanner. Those old HP all in ones that were "designed for home use" are pieces of crap when it comes to scanning.
It looks fine in the screen, but it scans incorrectly. I am wondering if I need a correct color profile.
Like Yakumo said, you'd probably need to mention the model/make of the scanner. Each one basically has it's own settings so it's hard to give instructions. I can give you this- -fiddle with the settings until you find something having to do with colour. Scanners don't have too many settings, even less if it's just a scanner and not an all-in-one.
Heh. Never heard of that one, much less the company. It's a flatbed, so any settings are done though the computer. If there's a driver CD or a settings page, open that up and toggle around. I'd help more but I really don't know a thing about that brand! It also (and no offence here) doesn't seem like the best brand in the world. It could just be the way that it works. In which case some contrast setting might help. EDIT- Just saw the post before the link- that could be it too. Double check that, or re-install the drivers.
Just uttering the word Mustek makes me think the scanner is 100% at fault. I purchased a Mustek camera years ago and it was the cheapest piece of garbage ever. Perhaps the Memorex of Chinese optical/camera manufacturing. I would assume the scanners they sell are no different. But that's my humble option.
If the colour is weird maybe you're using the wrong colour mode in Photoshop (if you're using Photoshop) but it's something that usually strikes me when doing editing and scanning.
Yech, Mustek, that's German IIRC (but really cheap while at it...) Once had a DVD-player (yeah, I waited until 2002 or so, just before I had the Xbox): they were easy to make regionfree... Anyways, some scanners have the option to 'fade out' background colors. Got the same issue with really expensive OCE (previously Minolta model, but they obtained Canon models too for rebranding), we just can't be bothered to save the settings on that one, as we got an even bigger model too. So maybe look in the software settings to enable backgrounds or whatever?
OK, on my Canon and on the Epson I had before there are two main modes. One being the mode for those who like to keep scanning simple and then the "pro mode". In this mode you can alter any aspect of the colour depth, contrast, scanner filters and so on. You really shouldn't mess with these settings unless you know what you are doing or can remember the default settings. Anyway, in this mode you can get the colours to scan as they look in real life. The Canon I have now even does this in real time so you can get the perfect colour match to real life items. If your scanner doesn't have these options and you are using Photoshop, then take a look for some Photoshop colour mode pre-sets for your scanner. This should solve the problem. If not then maybe that actual light tube used in the scanner isn't so good. I know the tube in my Epson could scan things perfectly clear up to 1cm from the glass. The Canon while having over all better quality needs the item pressed right on to the glass. A bit lame IMO that is.
Well it could be your screen colour/white-black point (colour calibration) messed up aswell as the scanners. Any chance of using another scanner to compare?
Your screen probably isn't profiled for a start. And it sounds like you don't have a decent scanner. For top quality, drum scanning is the way to go, but Epson do some pretty nice scanners depending on what you intend to do with the results. Certainly in a DTP environment, you should have your monitor and printer calibrated. Don't use someone else's settings - it has to be for YOUR setup, really. When you scan in, you should either be scanning directly into something like Photoshop, where you can make adjustments, or your scanner's TWAIN (assuming you're not on 64 bit) panel will have adjustments. Decent scanners do a good job with their auto settings, generally. If you're using 64 bit, you'll be having to use WIA, in which case you'll have to scan into Photoshop or some other software (maybe something came with the scanner). Personally, I don't bother with anything but Epson scanners nowadays... although I still have my Black Widow somewhere!
