Our Services Document Scanning Photo Scanning Negative & Slide Scanning Book Scanning Large Format Scanning Audio / Video Digitisation
Secure Book Digitisation
National Archives Standards
UK GDPR Compliant
Based in Magherafelt, NI
Home Book Scanning Northern Ireland
Book Scanning Service · Northern Ireland

Professional book scanning across Northern Ireland

Bound volumes, rare manuscripts, heritage collections and personal books digitised with specialist equipment. Every page captured at archive quality — without damage to your originals.

Why choose Fiolta Digital
Non-destructive
Originals returned undamaged
400+ DPI
Archive-quality resolution as standard
Master TIFF
Archival master file output
PDF/A
Long-term preservation format
Fragile and rare materials handled with care
Full chain of custody documentation
OCR text recognition available
You deal directly with the specialist
What we scan

Every type of bound material

From a single family heirloom to an entire library archive — if it has pages, we can digitise it. We select the right scanning method for each material type.

Rare & antique books
Fragile spines, vellum pages and centuries-old manuscripts handled using specialist overhead scanning equipment — no flattening, no pressure, no damage.
Overhead scanner · No spine stress · Master TIFF output
Heritage & archive collections
Parish registers, estate records, ledgers and historical volumes. Digitisation suitable for public access portals, academic research and long-term preservation.
National Archives standards · PDF/A · Metadata tagging
Bound ledgers & registers
Company ledgers, minute books, council registers and log books. OCR processing available to make every entry fully searchable in the digital output.
OCR searchable · Exact page sequence · Colour or greyscale
Personal & family books
Diaries, handwritten notebooks, family Bibles, and treasured keepsakes. A gentle, non-destructive approach ensures your memories are preserved for future generations.
Non-destructive · High resolution · Cloud or USB delivery
Magazines & periodicals
Runs of publications, newsletters, and institutional journals. High-speed scanning with quality-controlled output, ideal for digitising complete historical series.
Bulk runs accepted · Consistent output · Searchable PDF
Theses & manuscripts
Bound academic theses, unpublished manuscripts and research documents. Digitisation output suitable for institutional repositories and digital libraries.
Repository-ready output · PDF/A format · Colour accurate
The process

Simple, secure, fully documented

Your books never leave a fully documented chain of custody. Every stage is logged from the moment we collect to the moment they are returned.

1
Request a quote
Tell us about your books — volumes, approximate age, condition, and what format you need. We'll advise on resolution, output format, and turnaround with no obligation.
2
Secure collection
An Access NI vetted Fiolta Digital team member collects your books. A signed collection log is completed by both parties, recording every item collected.
3
Scanning & quality check
Each volume is scanned using specialist overhead equipment at our secure Magherafelt facility. Sample outputs are quality-checked and approved before full production proceeds.
4
Delivery & return
Digital files delivered via secure password-protected cloud link or USB. Your original books are returned with a signed handover document confirming receipt.
See the difference

200 DPI vs 600 DPI — drag to compare

Both images show the same scanned page. Drag the divider left and right to see exactly how much extra detail, sharpness and legibility 600 DPI captures compared to 200 DPI.

Book page scanned at 600 DPI — full detail
Book page scanned at 200 DPI — lower resolution
200 DPI
600 DPI

Actual scan — same page, same equipment. Drag the divider to compare resolutions.

200 DPI — standard document quality
Adequate for basic digital filing and on-screen reading. Fine print, small handwriting and intricate illustrations begin to lose definition. Not recommended for archival or heritage material.
600 DPI — archive & heritage quality
The National Archives recommended minimum for heritage documents. Every character, ink stroke and page texture is captured in full. Large enough to reprint, zoom into, or OCR with high accuracy.
Our standard for book scanning
Higher resolutions available on request
For manuscripts with fine handwriting, intricate maps, or artwork, we can scan at 800 DPI or higher. We'll advise on the right resolution when you get in touch about your project.
Ready to see your own material?
Send us a sample page and we'll return a high-resolution scan so you can judge the quality before committing.
Standards & compliance

Archive quality. Properly documented.

Book scanning for heritage, library and institutional clients must meet recognised preservation standards. Our processes are built to satisfy those requirements from the outset.

National Archives standards
Image capture, file format, digital surrogate conversion, metadata and folder structure aligned to The National Archives digitisation guidance.
BS 10008:2020
Evidential weight and legal admissibility of electronic information. Our scanning and documentation processes are aligned to this standard throughout.
UK GDPR / DPA 2018
Full compliance for any personal data contained within scanned material. Secure handling, processing, and disposal procedures throughout.
Output quality assurance
Sample pages reviewed and approved before full scanning commences. Ongoing random batch checks ensure consistent quality across the entire project.
Why digitise your books

What you gain when books are digitised

A digital copy doesn't replace the original — it protects it, extends its reach, and makes it accessible in ways that were never before possible.

Preserved for generations
Paper deteriorates over time. A high-resolution digital master halts that process — the content is protected regardless of what happens to the physical volume.
Fully searchable content
OCR processing turns scanned pages into searchable text — find any name, date, or reference across thousands of pages in seconds.
Shared access
Researchers, family members, or staff can access digital files from anywhere — simultaneously, without handling the original.
Protect rare originals
Reduce handling of fragile or irreplaceable volumes. Share the digital copy freely while the original remains safely stored.
Online publishing ready
Digital outputs are immediately ready for website publication, online archives, institutional repositories, and digital exhibitions.
Disaster recovery
In the event of fire, flood, or theft, a secure digital backup ensures the content survives — even if the physical book does not.
Common questions

Book scanning FAQs

Everything you need to know before getting started. Not answered here? Get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

No. We use non-destructive overhead scanning equipment specifically designed for bound volumes. Your books are never pressed flat, subjected to bright light for extended periods, or put under stress. Fragile spines, vellum pages, and antique bindings are all accommodated with appropriate care.
Standard resolution for books is 400 DPI in colour, which captures fine printed text and illustrations in full detail. For archive-quality projects or where fine handwriting or maps are present, we can scan at higher resolutions. We'll advise on the right setting for your material when you request a quote.
Standard output is PDF/A (the archival PDF format designed for long-term preservation) with master TIFF images for each page. If you require a different format — JPEG, PNG, searchable PDF, or a specific naming convention — just let us know and we'll accommodate your requirements.
Yes. We offer OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing as part of the service, which converts scanned page images into searchable and selectable text within the PDF output. This is particularly valuable for ledgers, registers, directories, and any book where you need to locate specific names, dates, or references quickly. Handwritten text recognition (HTR) is also available for manuscripts.
Yes. We offer collections and returns across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. An Access NI vetted Fiolta Digital team member handles all collections personally, and a signed collection log is completed for every item. If you have a very large archive, we can also discuss on-site scanning at your premises.
Turnaround depends on the volume and complexity of material. A typical small to medium project — up to around 20 volumes — would usually be completed within 7–10 working days. Larger archive projects will be scoped individually. We'll give you a clear turnaround estimate when we quote.
We deliver via a secure, password-protected cloud download link for most projects — you can access and download your files immediately on any device. For larger collections, or where a physical medium is preferred, we can deliver on USB drive.

Get a free book scanning quote

Tell us about your books and we'll get back to you within one working day.

We aim to respond within one working day. All enquiries are treated in strict confidence.

Get in touch

Prefer to call or email directly? We're happy to discuss your project.

Telephone
+44 (0)7935 864147
Address
11a Ballyheifer Road
Magherafelt
BT45 5DX
Service area
We serve clients across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Collections and returns available throughout — contact us to discuss your location.
Other services we offer
Document & business record scanning Photo, negative & slide scanning Wills, deeds & personal papers Audio & video conversion