Handling-risk checker

Flatbed, feeder, camera, or hands off?

A feeder saves time by pulling the original through rollers. That is exactly why condition matters. Photos, bound pages, and anything fragile or irreplaceable do not go through just because they fit.

Your result

Fast is useless if it damages the original

Fragility, binding, surface, size, and value decide whether a feeder is even allowed into the conversation.

Safe handling comes before speed

The National Archives says automatic feeders are unsuitable for fragile, weak, bent, or valuable papers. Current scanner instructions also exclude many photos, artworks, bound items, and irregular originals. Check the exact machine manual before making an exception.

Handling rule checked against the National Archives guidance for family originals, which says automatic feeders are not suitable for fragile, weak, bent, or valuable papers and recommends a supported copy-stand setup for books.