Scanning photos from magazines and leaflets results in unwanted moiré patterns

Image with moiré patterns

Screens are visible on printed photos when viewed with a microscope. When the printed photo is scanned, the light from the scanner and the reflected light from the screen of the printed photo mutually interfere with each other to produce moiré patterns.

In the same way, striped suits or striped wallpaper produces moiré patterns on television screens.

There are several methods for preventing the occurrence of moiré:

• Use the "moiré de-screen" feature, when available.
• Slightly shift or slant the position of the photo on the scanner.
• Slightly blur the focus if the scanner has a focus adjustment function.

• Employ the resizing method by scanning the image at a high dpi and then reducing dpi.
• Employ the resizing method by reducing the image size.

Scan with the "Moiré de-screen" function when available

Moreover, always display the image at full size before verifying the existence of a moiré. Moiré may not occur when an image is displayed in a reduced size.

Image with moiré patterns removed

Compare:Understanding Scanners/ Scanning and enhancing poor quality photos

Compare:Glossary/Moiré