Microfiche Scanning

Perfect for preserving your invaluable microfiche archives.

Microform Scanning Services

Unlock Efficiency & Preserve Your Data.

We help you breathe new life into your microfiche archives. We'll transform your fragile microfiche into crisp, high-resolution digital images that are easy to access and share. Our team of experts will handle your microfiche with care, ensuring they remain in top condition throughout the process.

Types of Microfiche We Handle.

Whether it's 16mm microfiche commonly used for A4 documents, 35mm ones for drawings and newspaper archives, COMBI types favoured by local authorities, or COM formats for financial records and catalogues, we've got you covered.

16mm Microfiche

Roughly the size of a postcard, 16mm microfiche is often used to store A4 documents and will have around 5 or 6 rows of negative strips, each containing 60 to 70 pages when full.

35mm Microfiche

This type of microfiche is commonly used to store newspaper archives, birth and burial registers, and large format drawings or plans up to A0 in size. Each fiche, when full, contains six frames.

COMBI Microfiche

This type of microfiche is created to combine both 16mm and 35mm frames and is used in local authorities’ planning, building control and highways departments.

COM Microfiche

Computer output to microfiche (COM) is a fiche used to store large amounts of data, as well as reports from mainframes or corporate systems. Once full, it can contain up to 278 frames of A4 documents.

Benefits of Microfiche Scanning.

Our microform scanning services offer numerous benefits, from cost, time, and space savings to rapid access to your documents. We designed the service to achieve:

Cost Savings

By converting microform to digital format, you can avoid the costs of buying and maintaining equipment, and save on printing expenses.

Instant Access

Digitised microform allows quick access, especially for remote work, making it easier and more convenient to search and locate.

Space Savings

By eliminating the need for physical storage of microform, converting to a digital format frees up office space and reduces clutter.

Data Protection

Creating a digital backup ensures that important information is securely stored, minimising the risk of data loss or theft.

Efficiency Savings

Digital conversion enables more efficient archiving, access, and management systems, ultimately boosting overall productivity.

Access Control

Converting to a digital format allows for password protection and detailed access logs, providing enhanced security controls.

How It Works.

Chaffinch's comprehensive microform scanning process handles everything from document collection to digital delivery. Let's explore the four key steps involved:

Planning

After assessing the project, we provide a thorough plan for collecting and delivering the scanned files, ensuring high-quality digital images are delivered on time.

Preparation

We carefully prepare microform by removing items that could interfere with scanning, maintaining the integrity and quality of the physical documents.

Scanning

We use advanced technology and high-volume scanners to create quality digital images that are indexed, categorised, and converted into OCR searchable files.

Delivery

We offer multiple secure file delivery options, including email download link, USB stick, SFTP to customer servers, and access via Aviary DMS.

Our Customers.

At Chaffinch, 1000+ customers trust us with their document management needs, and we strive to exceed their expectations.

What Our Customers Say.

We take pride in delivering exceptional document management solutions. Here are testimonials from some of our satisfied customers:

Alastair and the team are always reliable, and treat all work with confidentiality and professionalism. They provide me with a service which I do not have the time to do myself, and ensure my documents are shredded securely and with no effort required from me, apart from an email or telephone call. Thanks Alastair.

Dawn McGovern

A fantastic secure service everytime! At Peak Chiropractic we hold a lot of sensitive medical information which is all transferred from paper format to digital as it presents. Chaffinch document storage give us peace of mind that all of this hard information is destroyed professionally and in accordance with GDPR. This takes no effort on our part except putting the information in a dedicated shredding bag! I cannot recommend Alistair and the team enough!

Andrew S.

First class service, with extremely good staff, who are really helpful. Worthwhile using Chaffinch for confidential waste disposal.

Neil Bragg

Excellent service. Prompt response to initial enquiry with fast, efficient and friendly service. Very trustworthy with great documentation to ensure that all documents were shredded as agreed. Highly Recommended

Barry Ashley

Excellent service, with very polite staff.

Susan Cookson

I would 100% recommend Chaffinch Document to any company, their service is professional, fast and friendly – thanks for all of your help with our last minute requests!

Amanda Turner

Our Accreditations.

At Chaffinch, we are committed to maintaining top-notch security measures and full compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Have a question about our microfiche scanning services? Check out our FAQs below for answers to some common queries.

What is microfiche?

Microfiche is a microform like microfilm, but instead of a roll, it’s a flat sheet of film about the size of an A6 sheet of paper, like a small photograph album. You can store a lot of information on microfiche, and it can be stored in landscape or portrait formats to match the source material.

Why should we digitise our microfilm, microfiche, and aperture cards?

Many organisations are moving away from microphotography-based information storage systems due to their hefty price tags and the fact that they can be difficult to use. Computer-based systems are more economical, efficient, and user-friendly. They also make information sharing easy across multiple locations. Microphotography systems also don’t meet DPA compliance standards since they don’t offer enough personal data protection.

How do you scan microfiche?

When you trust us with your microfiche scanning needs, we’ll handle everything from collection to digitisation. We’ll pick up your microfiches from your premises or arrange a courier to pick them up. Then, our team of experts will scan each microfiche slide at incredible resolution, guaranteeing the best quality results. A dedicated account and quality control manager will oversee each step throughout the process, ensuring your peace of mind. We check each scan at the time of scanning. If the digital transformation team doesn’t feel it has reached the optimum levels of clarity and legibility once scanned, we will re-scan it until the scan produced matches the required quality standards.

What type of businesses benefit from microfiche scanning?

We regularly work with businesses in these kinds of industries:

Libraries and Archives: Add greater security to your valuable microfilm collections with our digitisation services.
Research Institutions: Discover the power of digital access to your historical documents.
Government Agencies: Modernise your data management with our microfilm digitisation expertise.
Newspaper Publishers: Preserve your valuable archives and make them accessible online.
Historical Societies: Preserve your legacy by converting microfilm materials into digital documents.

What output formats can you scan microfiche?

We can convert your microfiche slides into various file formats, including TIFF, JPEG, and PDF. For scans containing a large amount of text, we recommend converting them to PDF Searchable format so that you can easily look up text within the digital document.

What is the cost of microfiche scanning?

Our microfiche scanning services are competitively priced. The cost depends on the number of slides you send us and their condition. We may need to enhance the quality of damaged slides using image manipulation techniques, which can increase the cost.

What happens to my microfilm, microfiches, or aperture cards after scanning?

Depending on your preference, we can return the original microfilm reels, microfiche slides, and aperture cards to you, store them for a small monthly cost, or securely destroy them.

How long it takes you to scan my microfiche or microfilm?

The time it takes to scan microfiche or microfilm depends on several factors, including the number of slides, their condition, and the resolution you need. While high-speed scanners can process up to 300 slides per minute, that’s only some of what needs to happen. The digitisation process also includes image editing, the creation of metadata and quality control. To get an accurate quote for your project, get in touch with us – we’d be happy to discuss your project in detail.

See all FAQs

Let's Get Started.

Ready to digitise your microfiche collection and unlock the benefits of easy access and preservation? Contact us now to learn more about our microform scanning services!