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Getting a good scan is vitally important to how a finished image will look. It will also make the coloring process easier and faster. I'm using an HP scanner, but these settings should be on any scanner. I'm also using Photoshop5.5 for editing. It's the only software I'm familiar with at this point in time.
Step 1:
Set the scanning resolution. 300dpi (dots per inch) is what I like to use. This particular scanner goes to 1200dpi; but the higher the resolution, the larger the file size. (Note: Rachel recommends no less than 600dpi if you plan to some day print your artwork professionally.)
Step 2:
Scan the image.
Step 3:
Set the output type to "black and white drawing". If you’re like me, you'll be tempted to set the image to "black and white photograph" because it seems to look better on the scanner's display. Don't be fooled. Even though the "drawing" version appears messier, it'll look right once it's in Photoshop, trust me.
Step 4:
Set the black and white threshold. This option should be under the tools menu. (If your scanner is different, then just look around for the option, it'll be there somewhere.) Most of the time, the image is automatically set to around 130. Save several copies, each time setting the threshold number down in increments of around 20. (I usually save 4 copies: one at the default number, then 100, 80, and 69.)
Step 5:
Open all of your copies in Photoshop so you can choose the cleanest scan. Convert each image to grayscale. (This option will be under Image>>Mode>>Grayscale.) Do this with each image and zoom in on the same part of each picture so you can compare them. The figure's face is usually a good place to start.
Step 6:
One of your images will obviously look better to you than the others. Convert this one, very special scan to RGB color. (This option will be under Image>>Mode>>RGB.) Crop the image however you'd like, then save it as the master copy and delete the others.
Step 7:
At this point, you might want to touch up the image with the pencil tool. Just look over the image and get rid of any stray lines that bother you. This process takes a little effort, but it will save you a lot of time and sanity when you finally start to color.
Step 7:
What you're left with is a nice, clean, black and white image to play with. Have fun.
Tutorial provided by and copyright © Melody Herbert; Kaiha © Kit McLellan.
