SOFTWARE
Scanners usually come with some kind of software for scanning, but different brands include different software. You may also use your favorite graphics program if it has the AQUIRE command, usually found under FILES. I use Arcsoft's Photo Shop when I scan a 12" X 12" because it will allow me to have both halves of the page on the desktop and includes the STITCH command.
THE SCANNER
I have a scanner with the lid hinged on the long side. Most scanners are hinged on a short side so I will give you directions for that kind of scanner.
PLACING THE LAYOUT
Put the layout face down on the scanner with top and bottom flush to the top and bottom of the scanner. Slide it so the LEFT edge is flush with the left side of the scanner and the RIGHT edge is extending beyond the right side of the scanner. Then either drop the lid or hold the layout tight to the edges with your hand (the method I use when scanning "lumpy" layouts).
SETTINGS
After you use the ACQUIRE command in your software the scanning window will come up. In your software set the dimension of the scan to narrower on the right side by an inch. In this way you miss a part that may have a shadow because the paper goes over the edge. For an e-mail attachment, scan it at 72 dpi, 75% to 100% size. For other purposes you may want to scan it at a higher resolution. My scanner prints no higher than 300 dpi (dots per inch) so that is the highest scan I will make. (I often scan 12" X 12" layouts and print them out 3" x 3" and laminate them to keep in my crop tote so I don't have to take albums to crops to share.) Also check to be sure that the setting is for COLOR DOCUMENT - BETTER QUALITY, or FULL COLOR, on some scanner software.
SECOND PART OF THE SCAN
Once you have the first half of the layout on the graphics program desktop, then turn your layout around so the RIGHT side is against the edge of the scanner and the LEFT side is hanging out. Again bring the dimension in so you loose about an inch of the side coming out of the scanner to avoid that shadow.
Scan that to the same program, which should give you both parts on your graphics desktop. If you flipped the second part ROTATE it 180 degrees so both parts are right side up. My ROTATE command is in the TRANSFORM menu.
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STITCHING
Now look for the "stitching" option. It may be under EDIT or TOOLS. In PhotoShop it is under EDIT. With my program you would get two new windows with a circle and crosshairs in each window. You can roughly place the crosshairs at a spot common to both layouts. Then zoom in on the layouts to allow you to place the crosshairs at exactly the same pixel. A corner of a photo will work well for an exact point. Look for a SMOOTHING option that will slightly BLEND the seam and hit OK, or whatever the command is for your program.
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CLEAN UP
Now you should have a perfectly stitched layout.
I often have a little border above or below one side. I just use the little eyedropper "Sampler" to set the exact color of the border. Then choose the FILL tool, often a bucket, and fill that area to match the rest of the border.
CORRECTING COLOR
You may have a command in your software that will automatically correct color. I use a different program for that. I use Kai's Soap to correct the color and then I save right over the original scan.
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