Conversion of microfilm to digital images

If your inquiry pertains to microfilmed newspapers, please see "newspapers page"

Prior to the dominance of digital technology in business communication, microfilm played a significant role in delivering information with a space savings of 98% over paper. Microfilm systems provided faster retrieval, no re-filing and inexpensive backup copies made the technology impact document management in the 70's, 80's and early 90's.

Today, many valuable collections of information remain on microfilm. Too often, the equipment required to display and print the microfilm images has been neglected and has become expensive to repair or replace. Converting microfilm images to digital provides the following general advantages. If your microfilm collection is of newspapers or engineering drawings, please see those specific pages.

Information can be retrieved, printed and distributed in seconds from the desktop. Microfilm equipment maintenance and supplies can be eliminated. Space consumed by the microfilm equipment can be eliminated. Digital Images can be supported by existing data backup procedures. Some collections of microfilm can be converted to date files that can be formatted in Word, Excel, etc.

Q. How much does it cost to convert microfilm to digital images?

A. Since there are several factors to be considered, we need to know more about your particular requirements. A brief discussion or e-mail exchange can produce cost estimates. The factors considered in determining pricing include the type of microfilm, 16mm or 35mm, condition, image quality and how the images will be identified.

Q. Does Graphic Sciences have the experience and appropriate procedures in place to meet my requirements?

A. Graphic Sciences has been providing imaging services for business and government since 1987. We have an excellent reputation for quality work at affordable pricing and have an impressive list of satisfied customers. When we know more about your particular requirements, we can match you with references that match your profile.

Q. How will I know you can meet my quality expectations?

A. Our job is to produce readable images that can be retrieved on demand. To produce high quality images at an affordable price, we must employ automation to the process. No two projects are exactly alike. In some cases images quality can vary from image to image. Prior to producing any actual work, we produce images from a sampling of your collection for your pre-production approval.

There is no charge for the test and we send the images to you for your approval. Once that process is complete, you have a set of images that serves as a "benchmark" for the actual work performed.

Q. Is a formal contract required?

A. For smaller projects no. Our customers range from individuals that have as few as one roll to projects consisting of millions of images. Larger projects are formalized by either contract drafted by the client or documented by a Statement of Work that we produce that simply outlines buyer and seller responsibilities.

Q. Is microfilm considered archival - how long will it last.

A. A. Microfilm is considered an archival media, meaning that it is expected to last 100 years. In fact properly processed and stored microfilm can be expected to last 500 years. However, prior to the early 80's the base media for microfilm was acetate. It has been discovered that acetate film will begin to deteriorate over time. Symptoms of deterioration are film that has become brittle or film that emits a "vinegar like" odor. If information contained on acetate film has long term or permanent retention, the film should be restored by duplication to polyester based microfilm and stored in environmentally controlled conditions.

Today, digital imaging has replaced most microfilm information systems. However, digital media is not considered "archival". To satisfy long term or permanent retention, we routinely convert digital images to microfilm for long term storage. Graphic Sciences is a Kodak Document Conversion Center and employs procedures and testing to assure compliance to archival film processing standards.

Q. How do I get the microfilm to you?

A. We receive work from all over the country. We provide pickup and delivery and we also receive work via UPS, FedEx, and U.S Mail. If you do choose to have us produce sample images, and wish to send them via a delivery or mail service, please let us know when to expect them. We track all shipments and will contact you when it arrives.