FastOCR

Smart OCR Tips: How to Get the Most Out of Your Scanned Documents

• 8 min read

Boost your OCR results with a few simple scanning tricks—and avoid the common mistakes that lead to poor text recognition. Whether you're digitizing paperwork, translating documents, or just trying to make a PDF searchable, a little prep goes a long way.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓ Scanning at 300 DPI gives the best OCR results
  • ✓ Avoid skewed or crooked scans—alignment matters
  • ✓ Brightness and contrast can affect accuracy more than you think
  • ✓ OCR tools struggle with handwriting, old fonts, and low-contrast images
  • ✓ Not all OCR engines recognize every language—check before you scan
  • ✓ FastOCR supports 100+ languages and handles files up to 1GB

How OCR Works (and Why Setup Matters)

OCR tools analyze the structure of scanned images to recognize and convert printed text into editable content. But even the best OCR software can't perform miracles if the scan is poor.

Think of it like taking a photo in the dark—if the image isn't clear, the results won't be either. Before you run a document through OCR, a few quick checks can dramatically improve the output.

Simple Steps to Improve Your OCR Scan

Let's break down the essential factors that influence OCR accuracy:

1. Scan at the Right Resolution

Aim for 300 DPI (dots per inch) when scanning. This gives the OCR software enough detail to recognize shapes and letters without distortion.

Scanning below 200 DPI can cause text to blur or blend, leading to poor recognition. Higher resolutions like 600 DPI are unnecessary for most documents and only create larger files.

Resolution Guide

  • 150 DPI: Too low — text will be blurry
  • 300 DPI: Ideal — perfect balance of quality and file size
  • 600 DPI: Overkill — larger files with minimal accuracy improvement

2. Adjust the Brightness to Around 50%

Scans that are too bright or too dark can confuse OCR engines. A balanced brightness level helps preserve the clarity of letters without blowing out the background or darkening the page.

If your scanner has auto-exposure, double-check the preview before finalizing. Manual adjustments often produce better results than automatic settings.

3. Straighten Your Scan

Even a slight tilt in your document can throw off character recognition. Use a flatbed scanner when possible and align the page edges carefully.

Many OCR tools, including FastOCR, will try to auto-correct skewed scans—but the cleaner your original, the better the results. A 5-degree tilt can reduce accuracy by 10-15%.

4. Use Your Phone Smart

If you're using your smartphone to scan documents, make sure to:

  • Use good lighting — Natural light works best, avoid shadows
  • Hold the phone steady — Motion blur destroys OCR accuracy
  • Shoot straight down — Avoid angles that distort the text
  • Use document scanning apps — They auto-correct perspective and enhance contrast

Don't Forget About Contrast and Language Support

Check Your Document's Contrast

OCR tools need clear separation between the text and the background. Faded ink, yellowed paper, or gray scans can reduce accuracy significantly.

If you're working with an old document, try increasing contrast using a photo editor before scanning. Most image editors have a simple "auto-enhance" feature that helps.

Be Aware of Supported Languages

Most OCR software only supports a specific set of languages and writing systems. If your document is in an uncommon language, or uses an older version of a script (like Fraktur or early Cyrillic), the OCR tool may struggle.

The same applies to text created with a typewriter or pre-1850 printing methods.

FastOCR Language Support

FastOCR supports 100+ languages including Urdu, Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and many more. The AI automatically detects the language in your document.

What OCR Still Can't Do (Yet)

Even with today's best technology, OCR has limits. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

❌ Handwritten Text

OCR software still can't reliably read handwriting. While advances in AI handwriting recognition are underway, traditional OCR isn't designed for it.

❌ Decorative Fonts

Fonts that mimic calligraphy or have excessive flourishes are harder to interpret. Stick to standard typefaces for best results.

❌ Damaged Documents

Tears, smudges, and stains can all interfere with OCR, making parts of your scan unreadable. Clean originals work much better.

❌ Very Small Text

Footnotes and fine print below 8pt can be difficult to recognize, especially at lower resolutions.

If you're unsure how your document will fare, try running a test scan first. With FastOCR, you can quickly preview the results before processing large batches.

Making the Most of OCR with FastOCR

Whether you're scanning a few pages at home or managing large document archives at work, FastOCR makes it easy to extract and search text from your PDFs.

  • ✓ 100+ languages supported — Including right-to-left scripts like Arabic and Urdu
  • ✓ Large file support — Handle PDFs up to 1GB, no page limits
  • ✓ No registration required — Start using OCR immediately
  • ✓ Built-in translation — Extract text and translate to any language
  • ✓ Job history — Access your previous OCR results anytime
  • ✓ AI-powered accuracy — Higher accuracy than traditional OCR engines

Quick OCR Checklist Before You Scan

  • ☐Resolution set to 300 DPI
  • ☐Document is straight and aligned
  • ☐Brightness around 50%
  • ☐Good contrast between text and background
  • ☐No shadows or glare
  • ☐OCR tool supports your document language

Final Thoughts: Get Better OCR Results with Just a Few Tweaks

You don't need special equipment or expert-level knowledge to improve your OCR results. Most of the time, it comes down to:

  • • Scanning clearly at 300 DPI
  • • Avoiding shadows and skewed angles
  • • Adjusting brightness and contrast
  • • Ensuring the OCR software supports your document's language

If you follow these tips, you'll get cleaner, more accurate text every time—and save yourself from hours of manual editing and corrections.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best DPI for OCR scanning?

300 DPI is the ideal resolution for OCR scanning. This provides enough detail for accurate text recognition without creating unnecessarily large files. Scanning below 200 DPI often results in blurry text that OCR engines cannot read correctly.

Why does my OCR produce random characters?

Random characters usually result from low-resolution scans, poor contrast, skewed documents, or unsupported fonts. Try scanning at 300 DPI, increasing contrast, and ensuring the document is straight. Also check that your OCR tool supports the document language.

Can OCR read handwritten text?

Traditional OCR is designed for printed text and struggles with handwriting. While modern AI-powered OCR tools like FastOCR can sometimes recognize clear handwriting, results are inconsistent. For best results, use OCR with typed or printed documents.

Does OCR work with old or damaged documents?

OCR can struggle with old, damaged, or stained documents. Faded ink, yellowed paper, and physical damage can all reduce accuracy. Try increasing contrast and cleaning up the scan in a photo editor before running OCR.

What file formats does FastOCR support?

FastOCR supports JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, BMP image formats and PDF documents. You can upload files up to 1GB for images and PDFs.

How can I improve OCR accuracy for old documents?

For old documents, try: (1) scanning at 300 DPI or higher, (2) increasing contrast to make text stand out, (3) converting to grayscale to reduce noise, and (4) using image editing software to clean up stains or marks before OCR.