Posted by MikeC/KY on 2/24/10 4:55pm
Msg #324146

Sending fax backs as a scan

I have done some closings that require fax backs. I do charge extra for it, always. I prefer to scan and send so I have a record of it. Also, in case there is that 1 page they don't get, I can just resend the email with the docs attached.

When I scan as a PDF file and go to email them, they are rather large files (like 40 MB). What I end up doing is scanning 4-5 pages at a time and sending them like that. These 4-5 page scans are normally @ 3-5 MB. The problem is that I end up having to send sometimes 5 or 6 different emails containing pieces of the docs that are scanned.

Is there a better way to scan and send. Whe I received the package for TC they are maybe 7 MB at the most in one file that contains 100+ pages.

What am I doing wrong? How can I scan 10, 20, or 30 pages and have them saved as a PDF file that is not too large to send?

Any suggestions????

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 2/24/10 5:06pm
Msg #324149

The problem is that when you scan them in, you're scanning a large image. Often, PDF files are simple made of text files and a few images... which is why they're smaller.

You could try reducing the DPI and color settings of the scan. A black and white or gray scan is much smaller than color, for example.

That's why I a MFC for this... it's has a great sheet fed scanner that scans and then sends it via regular fax for me - no fuss.

Reply by ChristineHI on 2/24/10 5:58pm
Msg #324165

I also prefer scanning over faxing. In fact, I never fax back for the larger faxback requirements. All of my clients have email addresses they let me send to.
Each email is usually about 6-7MB and consists of about 25-30 pages. 40MB is huge!
I never send any emails over 10MB as a rule as well since many email systems will reject emails larger than that.
You need to check the settings on your scanner. You can reduce the "quality" of the scan as well. They just need to be able to read it, it doesn't have to be super crisp and clear for the these purposes.
Send me a PM if you need help as well as my husband is a computer consultant and could help as well. He figured out a way to reduce the sizes of my files and it has worked out very well.
Good luck!

Reply by MikeC/KY on 2/24/10 6:47pm
Msg #324170

Thanks to all for your help. I did change the settings to 100X100 and I can now scan pages much more quickly and the files are not huge.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 2/24/10 6:50pm
Msg #324171

Marian is correct. Check your settings and lower the DPI levels and make sure it is set for color scan.

Also, if your files do exceed the limit (with gmail it is 25k/email) try scanning in half into one and then send two emails to them.

I also send fax backs via email to avoid the call for the one or two pages that they did not receive or were messed up during the fax. Less time on my part.

Reply by Jayhawk/KS on 2/26/10 11:20pm
Msg #324465

I have been wondering how to do this also. Where do you find the DPI levels so you can change it? I hate waiting on faxes to go through, and it kills my phone bill.