The Canon LiDE 120 scanner is a user-friendly device perfect for home and office use. One of its key functions is the ability to scan documents and images directly into PDF format. This guide will walk you through the settings and options available when scanning to PDF using the Canon IJ Scan Utility, ensuring you get the best possible results.
This article focuses on the Settings (PDF) dialog box, accessible when you click PDF on the main Scanning Using the Scanner Buttons tab within the IJ Scan Utility. This dialog allows you to customize how your scans are saved as PDF files on your computer.
Understanding the Scan Options Area
This section of the Settings (PDF) dialog box lets you define the fundamental characteristics of your scan.
(1) Select Source: Ensure Document is selected when scanning documents or paper-based materials.
(2) Color Mode: Choose the appropriate color mode for your scan based on the document type:
- Color: Ideal for color photos and documents where color accuracy is important.
- Grayscale: Best for black and white photos or documents with shades of gray.
- Black and White: Suitable for text documents and line art where only black and white are needed, resulting in smaller file sizes.
(3) Paper Size: Select the size of your document. Common options include:
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A4, Letter, etc.: Standard paper sizes.
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Custom: For documents with non-standard dimensions. Selecting Custom will open a Custom Paper Size Settings dialog box.
In the Custom Paper Size Settings dialog, choose your Unit of measurement (mm or inches), and then enter the Width and Height of your document. Click OK to save the custom size.
(4) Resolution: Resolution determines the level of detail in your scanned image. Measured in DPI (dots per inch), higher resolution means more detail but also larger file sizes and longer scan times.
- 300 DPI: A good balance for general document scanning and text readability.
- 600 DPI: Recommended for images you intend to enlarge or for highly detailed documents.
- Lower resolutions (150 DPI or less): Suitable for web use or when file size is a primary concern, but may compromise image quality for detailed documents or photos.
(5) Image Processing Settings: Click the (Plus) icon to expand and access advanced image enhancement options. These settings can significantly improve the quality and readability of your scans.
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Apply Auto Document Fix: This feature automatically enhances text sharpness and contrast in documents and magazines, making text clearer and easier to read.
Important: Auto Document Fix may alter the original colors of images. If color accuracy is critical, it is advisable to uncheck this option.
Note: Enabling Auto Document Fix may increase scanning time.
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Sharpen Outline: Enhances the outlines of subjects in your scan, making images appear sharper.
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Reduce Show-through: Minimizes the visibility of text or images from the back side of thin paper, particularly useful when scanning newspapers or double-sided documents.
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Reduce Moire: Reduces moiré patterns, which can appear as unwanted wavy lines or uneven gradations when scanning printed materials like magazines or photographs that are composed of fine dots.
Note: Enabling Reduce Moire may increase scanning time.
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Reduce Gutter Shadow: Minimizes the dark shadow that can appear in the center of scans when scanning open books or thick documents.
Note: For more precise gutter shadow correction for non-standard sizes or specific areas, use the Advanced Mode in ScanGear (the scanner driver). Refer to the “Gutter Shadow Correction” section in your model’s Online Manual for detailed instructions.
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Correct Slanted Text Document: Automatically detects and corrects the angle of slanted text documents within a range of -10 to +10 degrees.
Important: This feature may not work correctly with:
- Documents with text slanted more than 10 degrees or with varying angles.
- Documents containing both vertical and horizontal text.
- Documents with very large or small fonts.
- Documents with minimal text.
- Documents containing figures or images.
- Handwritten text.
- Documents with ruled lines (tables).
Note: Enabling Correct Slanted Text Document may increase scanning time.
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Detect the Orientation of Text Document and Rotate Image: Automatically rotates the scanned image to the correct orientation by detecting the text direction in the document.
Important: This function supports text documents written in languages selectable under Document Language in the Settings (General Settings) dialog. Orientation detection may fail for certain document types or settings if text is not recognized correctly, such as:
- Resolutions outside the 300 DPI to 600 DPI range.
- Font sizes outside the 8-point to 48-point range.
- Documents with special fonts, effects, italics, or handwritten text.
- Documents with patterned backgrounds.
Configuring Save Settings
The Save Settings area controls how your scanned PDF file is named, where it’s saved, and PDF-specific options.
(2) File Name: Enter a base name for your scanned file. When saving, the system automatically appends the date and a four-digit number in the format “_20XX0101_0001” to the file name.
**Note:** If you select **Save to a subfolder with current date**, the date and four-digit number are added to the folder name instead of directly to the file name.(3) Save in: Displays the current folder where scanned images are saved. To change the save location, click the dropdown menu and select Add… to open the Select Destination Folder dialog box and choose a new folder.
Default save folders for different Windows operating systems are:
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Windows 8.1: Documents folder
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Windows 8: My Documents folder
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Windows 7: My Documents folder
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Windows Vista: Documents folder
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Windows XP: My Documents folder
Important: This option is not available when the Settings dialog is opened from My Image Garden.
(4) Data Format: PDF is pre-selected for this settings dialog.
(5) PDF Compression: Choose the compression type for your PDF file:
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Standard: Recommended for general use, balancing file size and image quality.
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High: Compresses the file size significantly, reducing storage space and making it easier to share online or via email.
Important: PDF Compression options are not available when Black and White is selected as the Color Mode.
(6) Create a PDF file that supports keyword search: Enable this option to convert the text in your scanned image into searchable text data within the PDF file. This makes it possible to search for specific words within the scanned document using PDF viewers.
**Note:** Keyword search PDF creation supports languages selected under **Document Language** in the **Settings (General Settings)** tab.(7) Save to a subfolder with current date: When checked, this creates a new subfolder named with the current date (e.g., “20XX_01_01”) within the Save in folder and saves your scan there. If unchecked, files are saved directly to the folder specified in Save in.
Application Settings After Scanning
The Application Settings area determines what happens after the scanning process is complete.
(3) Open with an application: Choose this option if you want to immediately open the scanned PDF in another application for further editing or viewing. Select the application from the dropdown menu.
(4) Send to an application: Select this to send the scanned PDF to an application for image browsing or organization. Choose the application from the dropdown menu.
(5) Send to a folder: Use this to save the scanned PDF to a different folder than the one specified in Save in. Select the desired folder from the dropdown menu.
(6) Do not start any application: Choose this if you only want to save the scanned PDF to the specified Save in folder without any further action.
**Note:** You can add applications or folders to the dropdown menus by selecting **Add...** and navigating to the desired application or folder in the **Select Application** or **Select Destination Folder** dialog boxes.Finally, the Instructions button opens this help guide, and Defaults resets all settings on the current screen back to their original default values.
By understanding and utilizing these settings within the Canon IJ Scan Utility’s PDF settings dialog, you can optimize your scanning workflow and create high-quality PDF documents with your Canon LiDE 120 scanner.
