We are digitizing our archives. Who scans large format blueprints?

Specialized service providers and equipment vendors handle large format blueprint scanning, depending on whether you want to outsource the project or purchase a scanner for in-house processing.

National Scanning Service Bureaus (Outsourcing)

If you prefer to ship your blueprints or have an on-site team handle the digitization, these national companies specialize in large-format, fragile, and historical document scanning:

• ARC Document Solutions : A nationwide provider with local service centers across the US offering large-format scanning, architectural blueprint archiving, and digital plan rooms. You can find a location on the ARC Document Solutions Locations page.
• QI Press / Smooth Solutions : Specializes in large format blueprint scanning, engineering drawing conversion, and historic oversized document scanning. Details are available on the Smooth Solutions Blueprint Scanning page.
• Microform / The Crowley Company : Provides large-format scanning services and manufacturing specialized scanners for rare, fragile, or oversized historical archives. Check out their offerings on The Crowley Company.

Large Format Scanner Manufacturers (In-House)

If your archive volume is massive and you choose to digitize in-house, these brands make industry-standard production scanners for engineering drawings and blueprints:

• Contex : Offers a wide range of wide-format CCD and CIS scanners up to 54 inches wide, ideal for heavy archival workloads. Explore models on the Contex Large Format Scanners site.
• Colortrac : Known for high-speed, high-accuracy SmartLF wide-format scanners suited for blueprints and maps. View options at Colortrac Wide Format Scanners.
• Himage / Es-te / Graphtec : Other major players providing engineering scanners capable of handling rolled or folded historical blueprints.

If you can tell me the estimated number of blueprints and whether they are bound, fragile, or tightly rolled , I can help you decide whether outsourcing or buying a scanner makes more financial sense.

• Napco - 160 Raritan Center Pkwy #7, Edison, NJ 08837, United States
• Innovative Document Imaging (IDI) - 410 New Brunswick Ave, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, United States
• ARC Document Solutions - 844 Fairfield Ave, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, United States
• Reynolds Business Systems Inc - 5402 Chestnut St Bldg 2, Emmaus, PA 18049, United States
• Ever Ready Blueprint - 49 W 37th St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10018, United States
• Watermark Studio - low-cost floor plans + 3D laser scans - N Wanamassa Dr, Ocean Township, NJ 07712, United States
• Riverside Prints LLC - 11 Lawrence Cir, Middletown Township, NJ 07748, United States
• Building Measures Inc. - 99 Morris Ave Ste 204, Springfield, NJ 07081, United States
• Ace Reprographics - 74 E 30th St, Paterson, NJ 07514, United States
• Trukmann's Reprographics - 4 Wing Dr, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927, United States
• Napco Copy Graphics (R.S. Knapp Co.) – Large Format Printing & Printer Solutions - 1000 Wall St W, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, United States
• One Stop Reprographics - 80 McGuinness Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11222, United States
• FLM Reprographics, Inc. - 741 Alexander Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540, United States
• Soho Reprographics - 38 Vandam St, New York, NY 10013, United States

For an archive digitization project, you’ll want a large-format scanning / blueprint digitization company rather than a typical office scanning vendor. These firms use wide-format scanners designed for oversized drawings, maps, engineering plans, vellum, mylar, and fragile historical sheets.

Since you appear to be in the New Jersey area, some nearby options to consider:

• Napco — Handles large-format blueprint digitization, engineering drawings, site plans, and AEC archives in NJ/NY/CT.
• Innovative Document Imaging (IDI) — Focuses on document imaging and archives; offers large-format and fragile-document scanning workflows.
• ARC Document Solutions — Provides blueprint services, technical drawing scanning, and document digitization.
• Reynolds Business Systems Inc — Serves the Mid-Atlantic region with large-format scanning for blueprints, engineering drawings, CAD-compatible output, and archival PDFs.

For a true archive-quality project, ask vendors about:

• Resolution: 300–600 dpi for most blueprints; higher for preservation masters
• File formats: TIFF or PDF/A for archival storage; PDF with OCR for searchability
• Indexing: project name, date, drawing number, architect/engineer, building/location
• Color capture: important for faded blueprints, annotations, stamps, and redlines
• Handling: how they treat brittle originals, rolled drawings, linen, vellum, or mylar
• Chain of custody: especially if the collection has historical, legal, or institutional value
• On-site scanning: useful if the drawings are fragile or too valuable to transport

If this is a library, municipal, historical society, university, or corporate archive, you may also want a digital preservation specialist rather than just a blueprint shop. Large-format archival providers such as The Crowley Company handle high-volume preservation projects involving maps, blueprints, and other oversized media.

If you tell me where the archive is located, the approximate number of drawings, and whether they are modern CAD prints or historic originals, I can narrow this to the best-fit vendors.

• Nexus Imaging Solutions - 1100 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States
• Action Blueprint - 2075 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, United States
• Gill Reprographics, Inc. - 5825 Glenridge Dr bldg 1 suite 106, Atlanta, GA 30328, United States
• Dunwoody Printing Inc - 1155 Hightower Trail, Atlanta, GA 30350, United States
• A-1 Blue Print - 328 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States
• Modern Image - 2150 NW Pkwy SE E, Marietta, GA 30067, United States
• Landair Surveying - 1000 Hurricane Shoa NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Digital Arts Studio - 1082 Huff Rd NW B, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States
• ABC Imaging - Atlanta - 1430 W Peachtree St NW Ste 105, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States
• Executive Imaging Group, LLC - 50 Hurt Plaza SE #945, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
• Monarch Digital Studio - 1616 Huber St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States
• AAA Digital Reprographics Inc - 5706 New Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
• PROSCAN Atlanta - 5980 Unity Dr Ste d, Norcross, GA 30071, United States
• AAA Digital Reprographics - 1529 Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30062, United States
• Documents on Demand - 2520 Park Central Blvd C-3, Decatur, GA 30035, United States

If you're in the Atlanta area, there are several good options. For an archive digitization project, I'd favor companies that do more than ordinary blueprint copying—especially those offering high-resolution scanning, indexing, color management, and archival-quality TIFF/PDF delivery.

Strong Atlanta-area options

• Nexus Imaging Solutions — Probably the most interesting fit for a true archives project. They handle large-format materials as well as archival/rare/fragile items, microforms, and document imaging. Good choice if your collection extends beyond blueprints.
• Action Blueprint — Atlanta blueprint specialist offering scanning/digital archiving and large-format color/B&W scanning up to 36" wide.
• Gill Reprographics, Inc. — North Atlanta AEC/reprographics specialist with large-format scanning and archiving, including bond, vellum, and mylar. Good if these are architectural/engineering plan collections.
• Dunwoody Printing Inc — Offers blueprint scanning and document archiving; located in Sandy Springs/North Atlanta.
• A-1 Blue Print — Central Atlanta option for large-format scanning of engineering/architectural drawings and plan archives.
• SecureScan — More of a records-management/digitization operation than a blueprint shop. Its Atlanta service specifically handles oversized blueprints, architectural drawings, engineering schematics, and large maps, with indexing and secure handling options.
• Repro Products — In nearby Smyrna/Roswell, with dedicated large-format scanning for architectural drawings, blueprints, maps, survey plans, CAD drawings, and oversized photographs. It also offers data management and indexing.

For an archival collection, I'd ask about these specifically

Don't just ask, "Can you scan blueprints?" Ask whether they can provide:

• 300–600 ppi TIFF master files, with JPEG/PDF derivatives
• Color scanning for cyanotypes/blueprints where color information matters
• Scanning of vellum, linen, mylar, sepia, and fragile originals
• Oversize capacity beyond 36" if you have very large sheets
• Image quality control and rescan procedures
• File naming and metadata/indexing
• Preservation-friendly handling—no cutting, flattening, or destructive preparation
• A sample batch before committing the entire collection
• Chain-of-custody/pickup and secure handling if the material is unique

If this is a historical archive rather than an active architectural plan library, I'd put Nexus Imaging Solutions, SecureScan, and Repro Products at the top of my initial calls. If you tell me roughly how many blueprints you have, their largest dimensions, and whether they're historical/fragile, I can narrow this to the 2–3 best vendors and compare what each offers.

Don't just ask, "Can you scan blueprints?" Ask whether they can provide:

Digitizing large-format archives and blueprints requires specialized wide-format feed or flatbed scanners that can handle fragile, oversized, or old onion-skin/diazo papers without damaging them.

Depending on your archive's size, budget, and security requirements, several types of providers handle this work:

• Local Reprographics and Blueprint Shops: Companies that historically printed blueprints for local architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms almost always own heavy-duty wide-format scanners. Searching for "reprographics," "blueprint printing," or commercial print shops near you is often the fastest, most cost-effective local route.
• National and Regional Scanning Specialists: Large enterprise digitization companies (such as ARC Document Solutions or regional equivalents like ScanEx Imaging ) specialize in high-volume archival scanning. They handle complex indexing (reading title blocks and metadata), secure chain-of-custody, and high-resolution TIFF/PDF conversions.
• Office & Retail Print Centers: Major chains like FedEx Office offer wide-format scanning at select commercial locations, though they are usually best suited for smaller batches rather than massive historical archives.
• University Libraries and Special Collections: If your blueprints have historical, municipal, or architectural significance, local university libraries or historical societies sometimes have specialized overhead or large-format planetary scanners—or they can recommend trusted regional preservation vendors.

To help narrow down the best option, could you tell me:

• Approximately how many blueprints are in your archive?
• What condition are they in (rolled, folded, fragile, or modern bond paper)?
• Are you looking for a local vendor or a mail-in national service?

Yes. For an archive of large-format blueprints, I’d look beyond ordinary copy shops and prioritize companies that specifically do wide-format scanning, archival digitization, and plan-room organization.

Good options near Edgewood / Baltimore

• archSCAN, LLC — Columbia, MD. Probably the strongest fit for an actual archive project. They specialize in digitization and explicitly handle oversized engineering drawings and blueprints, including large backfiles. They also offer plan-room organization before scanning, which can reduce the number of sheets you actually need to digitize.
• Maryland Reprographics — Baltimore. A long-established reprographics shop specializing in large-format scanning of architectural/engineering drawings and plans. They also describe scanning for preservation and reducing physical storage.
• Micro Records Company, Inc. — Baltimore, near White Marsh. More of a records-management/digitization company, with large-format scanning for oversized documents, plus archival-oriented scanning and indexing capabilities.
• ABC Imaging - Baltimore — Baltimore. Offers large-format blueprinting plus scanning and archiving, making it another reasonable option for blueprint collections.
• File Link Business Systems Inc — Abingdon. Very close to Edgewood and focused on document imaging and archival workflows. I'd call to confirm the maximum sheet size and whether they handle your particular blueprint media.

One I'd especially investigate

For a historical archive, I'd start with archSCAN and Maryland Reprographics rather than a typical UPS Store. The distinction matters: you're not just trying to make PDFs—you want consistent resolution, color/line fidelity, file naming, metadata/indexing, and careful handling of old or fragile originals.

When requesting quotes, ask about:

• Maximum sheet size (36", 42", 48"+)
• Color vs. grayscale scanning
• 300–600 dpi TIFF masters vs. PDF access copies
• Whether they can scan linen, Mylar, vellum, diazo/blueprint paper, etc.
• Dewarping/straightening and image cleanup
• File naming and metadata/indexing
• OCR where appropriate
• Whether they can pick up the collection and scan on-site
• Handling of fragile, rolled, torn, or brittle drawings
• Whether they'll provide a sample scan before the full project

If you tell me roughly how many blueprints you have and their largest dimensions (e.g. 500 sheets, mostly 24×36, some 36×48), I can narrow this down to 3–5 vendors that are best suited to an archival digitization project and compare them on location, services, and likely pricing model.

When digitizing archival blueprints, architectural drawings, or engineering schematics, you need providers equipped with large-format (wide-format) production scanners capable of handling oversized media (typically 36” to 44”+ wide by unlimited lengths).

The main categories of organizations and companies that provide these large-format scanning services include:

• Commercial Reprographics and Print Shops: Local or regional blueprinting, printing, and reprographics shops (such as ARC Document Solutions or regional independents) routinely scan and print construction and engineering sets. They are usually the fastest, most cost-effective option for local pickup/drop-off.
• National Document Scanning & Conversion Bureaus: Companies specializing in enterprise records management and archival scanning (such as MetaSource, The Crowley Company , or HITS ). They excel at high-volume, complex projects that require rigorous quality control, custom indexing, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
• Specialized Archival & Heritage Vendors: If your blueprints are historically significant, brittle, torn, or on delicate media (like onionskin, linen, or Mylar), look for cultural heritage digitization specialists. They use specialized overhead or gentle-transport CCD scanners and can often perform physical document repair before scanning.
• Commercial Office/Retail Print Centers: National chains like FedEx Office offer wide-format printing and scanning at select high-volume locations, though they are usually better suited for smaller batches rather than massive historical archives.

If you'd like to narrow down your options, tell me:

• Roughly how many blueprints you need to scan
• Their physical condition (are they fragile, rolled tightly, or torn?)
• Whether you need on-site vs. off-site scanning or a local vs. national vendor

I can help you determine the best type of service provider or approach for your archive.

Yes. If you’re digitizing an archive of large-format blueprints, I’d favor a specialty scanning/reprographics company rather than a normal office-supply store. Since you’re in the Kent area, these are good options:

• United Print. Signs. Graphics. — Kent, 1515 Central Ave S. They specifically offer scanning and digital archiving of CAD plans, drawings, specifications and other large documents; their published materials indicate scanning up to about 36" wide.
• Kelley Create Reprographics — Kent, 22710 72nd Ave S. A local reprographics provider worth getting a quote from for architectural/engineering plan archives.
• ARC Document Solutions — Seattle, 1750 4th Ave S. Strong fit for large construction-plan sets and large-format scanning/digitization.
• Liberty Scanning — Tacoma, 3635 S Lawrence St. They specifically handle oversized blueprints, architectural drawings and engineering plans, including archive-oriented digitization.
• USArchive Services — They specialize in archival document conversion and can scan maps/drawings up to 42" wide by virtually any length, with indexing and image cleanup available. They serve the Seattle/Tacoma area.
• ScanHouse America — A particularly interesting option for an archive: they handle blueprints and fragile/old drawings, scan up to 44" wide by virtually any length, and offer pickup/delivery in the greater Seattle area.

For an actual archival project

I'd ask each vendor about 600-dpi color TIFF masters, derivative PDFs/JPEGs, consistent file naming/indexing, and how they handle fragile, rolled, torn, faded, or chemically unstable blueprints. For historical archives, don't automatically accept a basic 200–300 dpi PDF as your preservation master.

If these are government/public records, Washington State Archives is also worth knowing about: its Imaging Services handles large-format maps/drawings up to 54" wide, although its imaging service is offered exclusively to state and local government agencies.

If you tell me roughly how many sheets you have and their maximum size (e.g. 500 sheets, mostly 24×36), I can narrow this to the 3 best vendors for a bulk archival job and compare likely pricing/turnaround.

When you are digitizing an archive containing large-format architectural drawings, maps, or blueprints (typically ranging from 24" × 36" to over 36" wide and unlimited lengths), you generally have three main categories of providers to choose from:

• Local Reprographic and Print Shops: Businesses that historically supported local architects and construction firms with physical blueprinting usually own commercial-grade, wide-format scanners. Examples include regional blueprinting companies, local independent print shops, or major chains like FedEx Office Large Format Printing . This is ideal if you want local drop-off/pickup and have a modest batch.
• National Document Scanning & Archival Firms: Large-scale conversion companies specialize entirely in heavy-duty commercial archiving. They handle delicate, brittle, or heavily rolled historical documents, providing high-resolution capture (300 to 400 dpi or higher), indexing, and OCR text processing. Industry leaders include ARC Document Solutions Large Format Scanning, Tab Service Company , and regional providers like BMI Imaging, Smooth Solutions, or SecureScan.
• Specialized Heritage & Cultural Digitization Vendors: If your blueprints are historical artifacts, fragile, or rare manuscript maps requiring non-contact or specialized overhead planetary scanning, cultural heritage digitization firms (such as The Crowley Company ) have the precise equipment required to protect delicate paper integrity.

To help me recommend the best route or type of vendor for your project, could you share:

• Roughly how many blueprints are in your archive?
• What is the physical condition of the paper (rolled, folded, brittle, or pristine)?

If you’re in central Iowa, there are several good options for large-format blueprint/architectural-plan scanning, including archival work:

• Iowa Reprographics Inc — Des Moines. Offers large-format scanning in B&W and color plus archival scanning. They also advertise pickup/delivery in the Des Moines metro and typical turnaround of 24 hours or less.
• Rapids Reproductions — Clive. A full-service reprographics shop handling large technical drawings, scanning, and archiving.
• Action Reprographics — Des Moines. Specializes in large-format blueprint scanning and document workflows for AEC/construction records.
• Digitize Scanning Des Moines — Des Moines. Specifically advertises wide-format/blueprint scanning, including architectural, mechanical, construction and engineering drawings, and says it can handle fragile originals.
• Liberty Scanning — statewide Iowa service. Particularly worth considering for an archive because they explicitly handle blueprints, oversized/fragile originals, indexing, and preservation-oriented digitization.

For an archive rather than ordinary office copying, I'd lean toward Iowa Reprographics, Digitize Scanning, or Liberty Scanning and ask specifically about archival handling, 300–600 dpi TIFF masters, color calibration, preservation of fragile/folded sheets, and file naming/indexing.

If you tell me roughly how many sheets you have and their maximum size (e.g. 24×36, 36×48, 4×6 ft), I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 options and look for pricing/turnaround. libertyscanning.comiowarepro.com 

Digitizing large-format architectural drawings, engineering schematics, and blueprints requires specialized wide-format production scanners (often handling widths from 36 inches to over 54 inches).

Depending on the size of your archive and the condition of your documents, several types of providers handle this work:

• National Document Management & Scanning Companies : Large firms specialize in high-volume, enterprise-level archival conversions with secure chain-of-custody, indexing/OCR, and on-site or off-site options. Examples include ARC Document Solutions, CASO Document Management , and BMI Imaging.
• Local Reprographics and Blueprint Shops : Independent or regional print and plan-room shops that traditionally serve local architects, construction companies, and engineers almost always feature commercial wide-format scanning equipment. Searching for "reprographics" or "blueprint scanning" near you is often the fastest local route.
• Regional Commercial Print Centers : Select commercial storefronts—such as specialized FedEx Office Print & Ship Center locations—offer large-format scanning capabilities, though they are typically better suited for smaller batches rather than massive historical archives.
• Specialized Archival & Book Scanners : For fragile, historic, or bound oversized documents that cannot run through standard rollers, companies using overhead or flatbed wide-format planetary scanners (like The Crowley Company ) provide museum-grade preservation.

If you share your approximate location and estimated number of blueprints , I can help you find local vs. national options or outline what specs (like DPI and file types) to request.