Flatbed scanners are ideal for scanning botanical specimens; geologists can record their mineral samples.

Archaeologists can record arrowheads faster on a flatbed scanner than photographing them with a camera. A flatbed scanner is indispensable for artists, art historians, and architectural historians.

This mushroom was a tricky subject. It is obviously three-dimensional, in all kinds of bizarre botanical angles.

Yet this is an image directly from a flatbed scanner, with no lighting other than the normal scanner light.

Mushroom from Ozark Forest Mushrooms scanned on flatbed scanner.

If we had added lights on either side, the effect would have been even more photographic.

JPEGing the image for the Internet removes most of the original quality, but the message is still clear--you too can use a flatbed scanner for all kinds of objects This particular mushroom is destined for the web site which advertises Ozark Forest Mushrooms, a business operated in Missouri by Daniel and Nicky Hellmuth (my brother and sister-in-law). With a flatbed scanner in their office they could elaborate their web site any time then need to and sell more mushrooms.

If you are in any business which deals with objects that will fit on top of a flatbed scanner, then you ought to consider buying one. They come in sizes up to 11x17 inches (A3 size in Europe). Sheet-fed scanners can handle thin material up to 36 inches wide. Some companies make oversize flatbed scanners, but at that size it is more economical to get a digital camera, since a car engine will squash your flatbed.