I recently started using a Kodak S2070 document scanner to make high-quality digital scans of my card collection, but the results contain repeated bands or small tread-like lines across the image. These marks slightly distort the artwork and appear on both sides of the scan, although images with less uniform detail tend to hide the problem better. The issue occurs at both 300 and 600 dpi. I have cleaned the accessible glass and plates, but I have not disassembled the scanner for a deeper cleaning. Since the cards themselves are not being damaged, I'm wondering whether this is likely a hardware fault, a calibration problem, dirty rollers or sensors, or something related to the feeder. Could the card size also be a factor?
2 Answers
If the lines run across the image rather than following the direction the card travels, that points more toward a scanner hardware or sensor problem than normal image noise. Check that the cards meet the feeder’s minimum supported dimensions, run the scanner’s calibration and cleaning procedures, and compare the result with a standard sheet of paper. If the defect remains on ordinary paper, I’d strongly consider returning or exchanging the unit, especially since it’s new.
A repeated pattern like this can come from contamination on the glass, rollers, or imaging sensor, even when the visible plates look clean. Try the manufacturer’s full maintenance routine and calibration rather than only wiping the exposed surfaces. Also test single-sided scans and a plain document. If both sides still show the same tread-like artifacts at multiple resolutions, document the problem with sample scans and treat it as a likely defective scanner.
The cards need to be within the feeder’s supported size range; undersized media can move inconsistently and create artifacts. If they meet the minimum size and the same pattern appears on regular documents, replacement is probably the quickest solution.