Flatbed scanners from Heidelberg Linocolor

Linotype-Hell scanners and LinoColor Elite software were marketed by Heidelberg CPS (Color Publishing Solutions) a sister company of Heidelberg Pre-Press and the Heidelberg printing company, so you can be sure you were getting professional hardware and software.

While at IPEX tradeshow in Birmingham, England, we learned that Heidelberg was dropping all its mid-range scanners. Heidelberg will continue only with their top of the line Nexscan F 4100 and Nexscan F 4200 professional prepress scanners.

These two scanners replaced the venerable Heidelberg Topaz scanner several years ago.As a replacement for the now nonexistent mid-range Heidelberg Linoscan equipment, we recommend the excellent new flatbed scanners from FujiFilm Electronic Imaging.

Top of the Heidelberg CPS line was the Circon, 11x17 (A3) 2400 x 2400 optical resolution. Subsequently several other models appeared. We have the Heidelberg Linoscan 2400 XL. This scanner produces great output with its LinoColor software for the Macintosh.

The image of the cat is a three-dimensional wooden carving which Andrea and I found in Prague. This is not a photograph, but the cat on the surface of the flatbed scanner.

Cat is a three-dimensional wooden carving which Andrea and I found in Prague. This is not a photograph, but the cat on the surface of the flatbed scanner. top of the Heidelberg CPS line is the Circon, 11x17 (A3) 2400 x 2400 optical resolution Opal Ultra offers 11 x 17 (A3) size at 1400 x 2800 dpi. Saphir Ultra 2 is the model we are testing currently. It provides 1200 x 2400 dpi. Saphir is letter size, 600 x 1200 dpi. Jade 2 is 600 x 1200 dpi but transparency adapter is optional. You will not find these scanners sold at Wal-Mart, indeed you do not want to get computer equipment at a grocery store or hardware store. If you buy low-bid scanner equipment your resulting scans may look sort of low-bid as well.

Recommended software for Heidelberg Linoscan scanners

The scanners come with their own Linocolor software. If you are in a prepress workflow, that is good software.

If you are an individual photographer then you should opt for SilverFast scanner software from LaserSoft Imaging.

You will not find these scanners sold at Wal-Mart, indeed you do not want to get computer equipment at a grocery store or hardware store. If you buy low-bid scanner equipment your resulting scans may look sort of low-bid as well.

Is it advisable to buy these now that they are discontinued? If you can get a warranty, and a super low price, go for it. If the scanner survives for 30 day warranty period, it should work just fine for several years.

But used, be wary. If the scanner fails, who is going to bother repairing it. Where can you even find spare parts? Scanners do wear out, or get dust inside, or need replacement parts.

How to get further information on flatbed scanners

Easiest thing for you to do is to request the free FLAAR report on scanners.

Our only scanner contact was directly with Heidelberg in Germany. We have never had a Nexscan F 4100 and Nexscan F 4200 professional prepress scanners so are unable to comment on either. We have, however, extensively used a Creo () EverSmart Supreme. We have also tested a Fuji Lanovia 550 for a brief period, so we know the Fuji and Creo scanners work wonderfully.

If you need further information on the Creo () scanners, we recommend you contact the president of Parrot Digigraphic, John Lorusso, e-mail imaging@parrotcolor.com

We have tried to find an outlet for Fuji Lanovia scanners for over three years, but don't yet know any specific company. The Fuji scanners, however, are great.