Microfiche and Microfilm Scanning

Our microfilm scanning service will transform your microfiche jackets, microfilm rolls, and COM fiche into a text-searchable archive of high-resolution digital image files. We combine state-of-the-art equipment with more than 21 years of scanning experience to help you preserve and protect your microfilm records.

Convert with Confidence

Reliable High-Speed
Image Capture.

Our highly trained staff, technical expertise, and straightforward pricing will take the unpredictability and stress out of your next microfilm scanning project. Other benefits of our service include:

Preserve Your Images

Damaged or deteriorated microfilm can result in the permanent loss of irreplaceable information. Create and store a digital backup of your data to preserve critical data.

Protect Your Data

Storing your data digitally provides access to security features like password protection and encryption, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Text Searchable

During the scanning process, ID numbers, dates, and other important information can be extracted from your microfilm, enabling you to retrieve images instantly via intuitive text searches.

Enhance Accessibility

Digitizing microfilm allows you to provide secure remote access to your data from anywhere in the world. Simplify collaboration and distribute data more freely.

Reduce Storage Requirements

Microfilm takes up a ton of space and can be expensive to store due to temperature and humidity requirements. Scanning allows you to store your images in the cloud, helping you reduce clutter and reclaim lost space.

Worry Free Storage

Creating a digital backup of your microfiche library gives you peace of mind knowing your data is safe in the unfortunate event of a disaster.

Leave the scanning to us.

We make it easy and affordable to digitize your microfilm library.

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HIPAA Compliant & Secure

Our top priority is to the safety and security of your data. While in our possession, your microfilm is locked tight behind badge restricted access & placed under 24/7 hour surveillance, ensuring that our processes meet your data privacy obligations during the scanning process. Our microfilm scanning service is HIPAA and HITECH complaint, and adheres to both federal and state data privacy requirements.

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HIPAA and SOC2 Type 2 Compliant

Film & fiche digitization for
every industry.

We provide scanning services to a wide variety of organizations from across the Northeast. SecureScan is proud to serve:

  • Libraries
  • Institutional and Corporate Customers
  • Government Agencies
  • Engineering and Architecture Firms
  • Schools and Universities
  • Archives
  • Aerospace Industry
  • Law Firms and Accountants

We Raise the Bar When it Comes to Standards.

In order to ensure that our microfilm scanning service produces the best results possible, we implement strict quality control procedures along with frequent equipment calibration throughout the scanning process.

We also conduct a manual review of each scanned image to ensure that a clear and accurate reproduction has been created, rescanning any images that fail to meet our high-quality standards.

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Common Questions

Get answers to our most frequently asked microfilm and microfiche questions.

Since microfiche are stored in sheets, it can be difficult to estimate the number of images you have. Understanding the volume of microfiche you need to scan is one of the most important aspects of your project.

One easy way to ballpark the number of images you have is to use a ruler. Create a stack 1 inch thick of individual sheets, and then count the number of sheets x the number of images per sheet. You can use that measurement to get a very basic estimate.

The exact cost of scanning microfiche varies depending on a number of factors including:

  • Number of sheets scanned
  • Type of fiche
  • Final resolution
  • Indexing requirements
  • Whether or not you require OCR
  • Schedule – How fast do you need to scan?

In general, the average cost of scanning a single microfilm sheet is $0.75 – $1.25/sheet for jacket fiche (16mm and 35mm) and $3 to $5 for COM fiche. If you have a roll of microfilm, the cost to scan it is going to cost somewhere around $85 depending on the number of images on the roll.

You can also try our document scanning cost calculator for a more detailed estimate, which factors in additional costs based on your requirements.

There are a number of ways you can choose to index your microfiche images after scanning. Some systems use sequential numbering or other basic numeric references that can be captured along with the corresponding image. Many jackets contain jacket labels which can also be extracted via OCR. CAR jackets ( computer aided retrieval) are generally given a unique reference number using a grid pattern to locate its position in the jacket. All of this information can be captured and added as metadata on an image, making it possible to instantly retrieve your file with a simple text based search.

The most common type is microfiche, which are flat strips of microfilm images stored in a clear Mylar sleeve, or “jacket” (where jacket fiche gets its name). Jacket fiche comes primarily in two formats, 16mm and 35 mm, and are roughly 4 inches x 6 inches each.

COM fiche (computer output microforms ) are created by printing a computer generated data stream direclty on film. The result is the equivalent of hundreds of miniaturized paper documents, arranged in a grid pattern.

There are two different formats, 24x and 48x, each having to do with the amount of reduction on each image ( 1/24th or 1/48th respectively). Each COM fiche is approximately 105 mm x 148 mm, and holds up to 300 images, thanks to the high reduction rate.

Microfilm or roll film are wound onto a standard size reel, and can accommodate both 16mm and 35mm film. 35mm is more commonly u

A simplified outline of our microfiche scanning process generally consists of the following steps.

First we will retrieve your microfiche at your location with our document transportation team, who will securely transport your microform archive to our processing facility. Each container will be tagged and tracked at every step of the process for full accountability and a record of the chain of custody.

Next, a scanning specialist will assess your project and create a workflow that meets your specific needs. This includes reviewing a sample of your fiche, measuring the density and determining the quantity of images per sheet.

Then, we will calibrate our equipment to a sample of your fiche to optimize the quality of the final output.

After calibration, we scan your microfiche in batches, converting each image into a digital file.

Once your fiche has been digitized, we will conduct quality assurance checks and review the framing and quality of each image, making corrections or adjustments as needed.

Then, if requested, we will conduct OCR processing to extract text and convert it into text searchable metadata.

Once the quality of the images has been reviewed, each image will be tagged with key identifiers, making it easy to locate any file by name, ID, or any other data you choose.

Last, we can load your digital images onto an encrypted USB drive or upload them to a secure FTP repository.

Microforms are scaled-down reproductions of paper or film documents, often used for storing large amounts of data in a reduced amount of space when compared to their physical counterparts. Microform images are commonly reduced to about 4% or one 1/25 of their original size. In some cases, greater reductions may be used, including 1/48th.

Microform images are almost always film negatives.

Microfiche and microfilm is said to have a shelf life of up to 500 years. Unfortunately, that often hasn’t been the case, as these estimates assume the film has been stored in perfect conditions, which is very rare. In the real world, film begins to break down and decay much sooner, even more so with film that is handled regularly.

So check in on your film and fiche. Do you notice any:

  • Bumps, bubbles, or blemishes
  • Has a vinegar odor
  • Fragility or brittleness
  • Stickiness
  • Signs of mold or fungus

Your best bet is to digitize film that shows any sign of wear and tear as soon as possible, to ensure the information is preserved before any further damage occurs.

Microfilm Scanning Services

Go big with our microfilm scanning service.

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