Scan on a Mac

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Apple computers arrive with applications that enable scanning. Once your scanner or multifunction printer is installed, you can add it to the devices on your Mac and scan using Preview or Image Capture applications.

Steps

Connecting Your Scanner

  1. Plug in your multifunction printer or scanner. Connect it to your Mac with a USB cable that attaches from the printer’s port to the back or side of your Mac.
    • Alternatively, you can use a wireless-enabled printer or scanner through your local Wi-Fi connection.
    • If you prefer to communicate with the scanner wirelessly, go through the setup procedure on your scanner. Make sure it is connected to the same strong wireless network as your Mac.
  2. Click on the Apple icon at the top left of your desktop. Select “System Preferences.” Choose “Print & Fax” in the Hardware menu. [1]
  3. Wait for your computer to add the new printer/scanner device. If it does not, click the plus (+) sign to prompt your computer to recognize the scanner. Click “Add.”

Choosing a Scanning Application

  1. Place the item in the scanning bed. If you are using a scanner with a feeder, place the object in the front of the feeder.
  2. Open your application. You have several choices of applications that are installed on Mac computers automatically. Choose 1 of the following apps:
    • Use Preview. If this is on your desktop, opening the Preview icon will be the fastest way to scan.
    • Use Image Capture. If you are using devices in a network, you can easily choose from cameras, shared devices and devices dedicated to your Mac.
    • Use the scanner’s icon. Once the device is installed you can place it on your dock. Then, when you want to print or scan, click on the device’s icon and select “Scanner” in the upper right corner.
    • You can also open the device’s icon by going to the “Print & Fax” preferences window under “System Preferences.” Click on “Scanner,” and then click “Open Scanner.”
  3. Enable the scanner on your computer.
    • If you are using Preview, click “File” and “Import From Scanner.”
    • If you are using Image Capture, simply double click on the application in your dock or in your Applications folder.
    • If you are using the scanner icon, simply click on “Scanner” in the upper right corner.

Adjusting Scanning Preferences

  1. Select whether the document is on the flatbed (underneath a printer or scanner cover) or in a document feeder. Your scanner may have additional options for different types of scans, such as transparencies.
  2. Click “Scan” to warm up your scanner. It will give you an overview of the scan so you can adjust it. If it scans automatically, you can return to the scan menu to adjust it before you scan again.
  3. Use the crop tool to adjust the scan area. This is the dotted line around the object. You can drag each corner inward or outward to change the scan area.
  4. Choose the Scan Size. Choose standard letter or legal sizes.
  5. Click on the drop down menu next to “Scan To.” Choose where you would like your scanned file to appear. You can choose your Desktop, Documents or Pictures folders.
    • If you are using Image Capture, you can also choose to open it in Preview, Mail or iPhoto.
  6. Select or deselect the option to detect separate items. If you are scanning something with both text and images, you will want to deselect this. If you are separating items on a scan, it can help you isolate different pictures. [2]
  7. Click “Show Details” to further change the orientation, resolution, color or file format of your scan. You can even edit an image with brightness and tint. [3]
  8. Name the scan. Click the Scan button. You will be able to access your scan in the file location you previously specified.

Tips

  • Update your computer using the Software Update utility before you connect a scanner or printer. Double click on it in your System Preferences application, and then, click on the Software Update icon under the word “System.” Select “Check Now” to find and install new software. The list of supported printers and scanners is updated through this utility regularly. [4]
  • If you are using a wireless scanner and it is not working, check the scanner to make sure it is connected to the wireless network after a period of inactivity.

Warnings

  • Beware when using discs to install your printer or scanner. Most Macs are programmed to recognize external devices and set up the scanning function without the discs. Some installation discs may be out of date and create problems on your Mac.

Things You'll Need

  • USB cord
  • Scanner
  • Multi-function printer

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4505
  2. ↑ http://www.macworld.com/article/1154934/scanwirelesslywithpreview.html
  3. ↑ http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_scan_images_preview
  4. ↑ http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3669
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