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While I'm on a Mac, I've attempted this from Windows, Mac and Android with the same result. Mostly through HP Smart, but also Adobe Acrobat Pro.

 

I'm trying to get the best possible scan of a colored paper (yellow) with pencil writing (gray). Admittedly the contrast is quite poor with the eye, but seemingly some of the gray gets either compressed away or it just choses to color yellow instead of gray in certain areas. I've scanned the same page with a very old scanner and got a better result, which was quite surprising. The printer is new, so there should be no dust or wear issues at all.

 

So far my best result has been to do a "gray" (grayscale) scan. Then the gray is properly represented and the yellow treated as white, which gives a much better result. However, ideally I'd like to keep the color in the scan as well.

 

What can I do to improve the color-scanning quality? Clearly, I've tried the settings in the HP Smart, but can't seem to make it work.

 

Below are the following images:

1. Grayscale scan from HP Smart and the OfficeJet Pro 9015

2. Color scan from HP Smart and the OfficeJet Pro 9015

3. Color scan from Adobe Acrobat Pro and the OfficeJet G55 (a 1999 printer)

 

HP Smart grayscale scan from OfficeJet Pro 9015HP Smart grayscale scan from OfficeJet Pro 9015HP Smart color scan from OfficeJet Pro 9015HP Smart color scan from OfficeJet Pro 9015Adobe Acrobat Pro scan from OfficeJet G55 (a 1999 printer)Adobe Acrobat Pro scan from OfficeJet G55 (a 1999 printer)

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
HP Recommended

Yes, I've tried regular paper and it works great. It is just this particular type of paper, yellow paper with pencil writing that turns out badly, unfortunately.

 

I've attempted the same at one more scanner and it worked great. My conclusion so far is that I just can't get it good on the OfficeJet Pro 9015, so I will resort to scanning this type of paper on other scanners instead. My other experience with the OfficeJet Pro 9015 is good, so I'll avoid this particular issue.

 

I'll mark this resolved since I will not further pursue making it work with my HP unit, and instead avoid the whole issue by using another brand scanner.

 

Attached is yet another example of a good scan, using another scanner.

Canon CanoScan LiDE 220 scanCanon CanoScan LiDE 220 scan

View solution in original post

4 REPLIES 4
HP Recommended

@TragedyStruck, Welcome to the HP Support Community!

 

Which version of macOS are you using?

Adjust the resolution of the scan on the app you are using. Set it to max.

 

I understand the scan quality is not satisfactory. Let us try these steps:

 

Reset the printer

  1. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
  2. Wait at least 60 seconds.
  3. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
  4. Turn ON the printer, if it does not automatically turn on.
  5. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you proceed.

Note: HP recommends connecting the printer directly to a wall outlet rather than a surge protector or a power strip.

 

Update the printer firmware

Click here to know different methods of updating printer firmware.

 

Also, check for any software updates on MAC

Click the Apple icon > About This Mac > Software Update and install any available update.

 

Use HP Easy Scan or Apple Image Capture and check if that helps to improve the scan quality as shown in this document.

This also shows how to adjust the resolution of the scan.

 

Also, refer to the steps from the article Improving Scan Quality

 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Have a great day! 

KUMAR0307
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

Although I got a lot of attempts in from your reply none of the actions helped. I tried the following:

  • "Adjust the resolution of the scan on the app you are using. Set it to max."
  • "Update the printer firmware"
  • "Use HP Easy Scan or Apple Image Capture and check if that helps to improve the scan quality as shown in this document."
  • "Also, refer to the steps from the article Improving Scan Quality"

No matter what I try it just seems to miss some of the gray and replace it with the yellow, just not detect the gray at all or compress it away. This is my feeling from just observing the resulting image up close of my attempts, vs the original and a high end scanner result. With grayscale it does an excellent job, but that isn't what I'm looking for in this case.

 

Below is a comparison of my HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 vs a Ricoh C5502 scan of the same document.

Unfortunately, if I keep being unable to scan with a proper result I'll have to return my OfficeJet Pro 9015, as the result is just not satisfactory for a brand new all-in-one unit with my needs.

 

OfficeJet Pro 9015 scanOfficeJet Pro 9015 scanRicoh C5502 scanRicoh C5502 scan

HP Recommended

@TragedyStruck

 

Have you tried scanning on a white plain paper and check the scan quality?

 

If the issue persists, please reach out to the HP Support in your region regarding the service options for your printer. 

 

Keep me posted for any other assistance.

KUMAR0307
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

Yes, I've tried regular paper and it works great. It is just this particular type of paper, yellow paper with pencil writing that turns out badly, unfortunately.

 

I've attempted the same at one more scanner and it worked great. My conclusion so far is that I just can't get it good on the OfficeJet Pro 9015, so I will resort to scanning this type of paper on other scanners instead. My other experience with the OfficeJet Pro 9015 is good, so I'll avoid this particular issue.

 

I'll mark this resolved since I will not further pursue making it work with my HP unit, and instead avoid the whole issue by using another brand scanner.

 

Attached is yet another example of a good scan, using another scanner.

Canon CanoScan LiDE 220 scanCanon CanoScan LiDE 220 scan

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