An endless variety of backgrounds are possible -- everything from leaves, coffee beans and wood siding can make an appealing backdrop for a catchy headline or block of text. You can also create unique abstract effects by bringing scanned images into a photoediting program where you can posterize them or add a filter.

In general, backgrounds are best scanned at 100%. You'll also want to save them at the same frequency as the intended output. I typically scan at 300 spi, but this level of resolution usually results in a file of at least 20 MB for an 8-1/2 x 11-in. scan! For less detailed imagery, you may be able to make do with a lower resolution, but for highly detailed material, nothing less will do.. The key to successful scans is keeping your scanner clean. You don't want Kiwi fruit juice getting into your scanner's electronic mechanisms! After scanning the great outdoors, take the time to clean your equipment

Tip If you're planning to overprint text on a four-color background scan, you'll want the scan to be light enough to maintain text legibility. For this reason, it's wise to eliminate the black screen when you convert the scan to CMYK. This will increase the contrast of black text overprinting the background and will facilitate copy revisions on the black (text) film without affecting the background image.

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