StampFinder Image Database Project

STAMPFINDER CONTINUES PROJECT TO CREATE A UNIVERSAL IMAGE CATALOG

StampFinder is completing an image database of all postage stamps. We have provided a listing by country of the images we are missing by Scott (Sc), Michel (Mi) or Yvert (Yv) catalog numbers (view lists). Collectors with scanners who supply us with missing images can earn 15 cents per image in purchase credits. Credits can be used for stamp or supply purchases from any dealer on our site. Note: If you have varieties of stamps not listed by Scott, please advise us and we will indicate if we need them. Also, we need revenue stamp images for most countries.

SCANNING PROCEDURE FOR IMAGE DATABASE PROJECT

1) Place Stamp(s) on scanner. Placing a black background on top of the stamps is preferable since it allows clearer recognition of the perforations.

2) Scan the stamps at 300 dpi and 250% of original size. (Slightly less for larger images). Set the scanners options to scan in true color (Sharp Millions of Colors).

3) Scanning will be faster if you scan a full page of stamps and then cut and paste the individual stamps. However, because of file size, you may find scanning a partial page or limited number of stamps easier. This varies based on the capabilities of your computer.

4) Use image edit software ( Photoshop, Paint Shop etc.) to then crop the image.

5) If the stamp is not centered, then center it by rotating it or moving it manually so it is centered in the frame you cropped.

6) Once centered, resize the image so that it is a maximum of 200 pixels on the long side. When re-sizing, ensure that you keep the proportions intact. This proportioning can be set as a feature in most editing software. Note, maintaining the largest dimension at 200 is very important to the proper displaying of multiple images as a set.

7) Souvenir sheets and other large items should be scaled to 300 pixels on the long side to avoid undue file or display sizes.

8) Save the image by giving it a unique file name. We suggest the first three letters of the country name followed by the last three numbers of the year of issue followed by a two digit sequential number. Save the images as a jpeg (.JPG) file. This will give the best image quality for Internet use. Most images will be between 25 to 50K in size.

9) Transmittal of images to StampFinder will vary according to the volume involved. We can take it on floppy, on zip disk or by email. We will return any disks at your request.

10) Before beginning a large number of scans, we suggest you email us a few scans so we can assure they will be usable.

11) If you are having problems getting images to come out, feel free to contact Bruce Drumm at 800-472-2680 for assistance.

12) If one image is representative for a number of varieties of a stamp, indicate this in your transmittals. For example paper, perforation or watermark differences need not have separate images. Likewise for any differences that cannot be detected from viewing a standard 300 dpi image. Note all images should be of mint stamps whenever possible.

13) Maintain an ASCII text file showing the catalog number of the item and the corresponding image name. Sending this along with the images allows us to correctly identify all images.