Our Services Document Scanning Photo Scanning Negative & Slide Scanning Book Scanning Large Format Scanning Audio / Video Digitisation
Careful Handling of Originals
A0 to A3 — All Formats
UK GDPR Compliant
Based in Magherafelt, NI
Home Large Format Scanning Northern Ireland
Large Format Scanning · Northern Ireland

Maps, plans & drawings — preserved digitally

From A3 architectural drawings to A0 ordnance survey maps, we scan large format documents at up to 600 DPI — capturing every line, annotation and detail regardless of age, material or condition.

At a glance
A0
Largest format scanned
600
DPI maximum resolution
Any
Material or condition
TIFF
Archive-quality output
Maps, plans, drawings & blueprints
Fragile, folded or aged originals handled
JPEG, TIFF or PDF output delivered
Secure cloud download or USB
Supported sizes

A3 through to A0 — we cover every standard

All ISO A-series large format sizes handled. If your document falls between sizes or is non-standard, just ask — we'll advise the best approach.

A3
297 × 420 mm
Technical drawings, architectural details, oversized reports and reference sheets.
A2
420 × 594 mm
Building plans, engineering drawings, site plans and heritage maps.
A1
594 × 841 mm
Full architectural plans, structural drawings, drainage schemes and large-scale maps.
Most common
A0
841 × 1189 mm
Ordnance survey maps, master site drawings, historical land surveys and full-scale plans.
What we scan

Every type of large format document

Maps, plans and drawings come in many forms and from many eras. Whatever you have, we have a process that protects the original and captures every detail.

Ordnance Survey maps
Historical and current OS maps in all scales. Period maps often have fragile folds and faded linework — we handle them with care and capture full tonal detail.
Up to A0 · 400–600 DPI · Colour or greyscale
Architectural drawings
Floor plans, elevations, sections and construction details. We preserve fine line weights, annotation and hatching at archive-quality resolution.
A3–A0 · 300–600 DPI · TIFF / PDF output
Engineering drawings
Mechanical, electrical, structural and civil engineering plans. Dense technical drawings with fine detail benefit most from 400–600 DPI scanning.
Any size · 400–600 DPI · Fine line capture
Site & survey plans
Land surveys, boundary plans, planning submissions, drainage layouts and topographic surveys. Ideal for planning applications and legal records.
A2–A0 · 300–400 DPI · Geo-referenced available
Heritage & estate maps
Estate maps, Griffith Valuation maps and historical land records from the 18th and 19th centuries. Fragile materials handled with archival care.
All sizes · Archival standards · Fragile originals welcome
Blueprints & technical prints
Original cyanotype blueprints and diazo prints. We scan these at appropriate resolution to recover the full contrast and linework, even on faded originals.
A2–A0 · Greyscale or colour · Faded originals handled
Materials & conditions

We handle whatever condition it arrives in

Large format documents are often old, folded, creased or printed on specialist materials. Our flatbed scanning process accommodates a wide range of substrates and conditions without causing further damage to the original.

Paper — any weight
Standard cartridge, thin tracing weight, heavy drafting paper and everything in between. Handled without pressure where fragile.
Tracing paper & vellum
Translucent drawing materials used extensively in older architectural and engineering work. Scanned with backlighting where needed to recover full linework.
Polyester & Mylar film
Dimensionally stable drawing film used in precision engineering and surveying. Captures fine line detail exceptionally well at 400–600 DPI.
Folded & creased originals
Documents that have been folded and stored for decades are commonplace. We flatten and relax originals carefully before scanning to minimise shadow lines.
Aged & fragile documents
19th and early 20th century maps, estate surveys and land records are often brittle. We handle these with archival care — no forced flattening, no damage to the original.
Linen & cloth-backed maps
Many Victorian-era maps and plans were mounted on linen for durability. These can be scanned flat, capturing the full image including backing texture where relevant.
Resolution guide

Choosing the right DPI

The right resolution depends on how the scan will be used and how much fine detail the original contains. We'll advise the best option when you enquire.

200
DPI
Viewing, sharing and general reference. Sufficient for most large-text plans and maps where the original is in good condition and fine detail is not critical.
A1 scan → approx 9,300 × 13,200 px
300
DPI
Print-ready quality. Suitable for plans with fine linework, small annotations, hatching and dimension figures. Recommended for most architectural and engineering drawings.
A1 scan → approx 14,000 × 19,800 px
600
DPI
Maximum detail capture. Heritage maps, blueprints with very fine linework, aged or faded originals, or where the scan will be enlarged significantly for display or further analysis.
A1 scan → approx 27,900 × 39,600 px
How it works

Simple from start to finish

Four straightforward steps from your enquiry to receiving your digital files. We keep you informed throughout.

1
Get a quote
Tell us what you have — format sizes, approximate quantity, material type if known and intended use. We'll reply with a fixed price within one working day.
2
Collections
Your documents are collected safely and securely using our transport frames reducing any movement or folding, so no stress is placed on the colleciton. We'll confirm safe receipt and agree a turnaround time.
3
Scan & quality check
Each document is scanned at your chosen resolution, reviewed for quality, and named consistently. Originals are handled carefully throughout.
4
Receive & review
Files delivered via secure cloud download or USB drive, with your originals returned by a vetted member of staff or available for collection. We will confirm you're happy before we close the job.
Why digitise large format

Protect originals. Share everywhere.

Large format originals are often irreplaceable. A high-resolution scan means the information is secure, searchable and shareable — while the original is safely stored away.

Preserve against loss
Fire, flood, damp and physical deterioration permanently destroy paper originals. A digital archive is your insurance against loss.
Zoom into fine detail
A 600 DPI scan of an A0 map produces over a billion pixels. Zoom in on any annotation or contour line at full clarity.
Share instantly
Email a plan to a contractor, upload to a planning portal, share with a heritage body — digital files go anywhere in seconds.
Use in CAD & GIS
High-resolution TIFF scans can be imported directly into AutoCAD, QGIS, ArcGIS and other software as a base reference layer.
Archive-quality output
Uncompressed TIFF files meet the requirements of heritage bodies, planning authorities and institutional archives.
Reduce handling of originals
Once digitised, the original can go into storage. Day-to-day reference work happens on the digital copy — no further wear on the paper.
Common questions

Frequently asked questions

If your question isn't answered here, just get in touch — we're happy to advise.

We scan up to A0 (841 × 1189 mm). If your documents are larger than A0 — for example, full-sheet Ordnance Survey maps that extend beyond the standard A0 boundary — please get in touch and we can discuss options including scanning in sections with seamless joining.
Yes — fragile originals are welcome. We use a flatbed process that does not require forced flattening, and we handle aged paper, linen-backed maps and brittle documents with care. If your documents are particularly fragile, please mention this when you enquire and we'll confirm the best handling approach before they arrive.
300 DPI is the standard recommendation for most architectural and engineering drawings — it captures fine linework, dimensions, hatching and annotations clearly, and produces files of a manageable size. For drawings with extremely fine detail, very small text, or where the scan will be used for large-format reprinting, 400–600 DPI gives noticeably better results. We're happy to advise based on what you're scanning and how it will be used.
Yes. Most large format documents arrive folded. We gently flatten them before scanning to minimise crease shadows. Persistent fold lines in very old documents may still be visible in the scan — this is unavoidable without restoration — but we take care to minimise their appearance. For documents with deep creases or damage along fold lines, let us know and we can advise what to expect.
We deliver JPEG, TIFF or PDF — or a combination. TIFF is the archival standard and is uncompressed, making it the best choice for heritage and institutional use or for import into CAD and GIS software. JPEG offers smaller file sizes suitable for sharing and viewing. PDF works well for multi-page sets or for documents destined for planning portals. Let us know your preferred output when you enquire and we'll set everything up accordingly.
Turnaround depends on the volume and resolution. A small set of up to 20 plans is usually completed within 3–5 working days of receipt. Larger collections — estate archives, full building records or survey sets — may take longer. We'll give you an accurate estimate in your quote and keep you updated if anything changes.
Yes — all originals are returned safely and securely after scanning. We will never dispose of originals without explicit written permission.
Get a quote

Tell us what you have

Describe your documents — sizes, how many, the material if you know it, and what you need the output for. We'll come back with a fixed price, usually the same working day.

Phone
+44 (0)7935 864147
Email
info@fioltadigital.co.uk
Studio
11a Ballyheifer Road, Magherafelt, BT45 5DX
Collection & delivery area
We serve clients across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Large or fragile documents can be delivered to our studio or collected by arrangement. Completed scans are returned or available for collection.

We respond within one working day. Your documents and data are handled in accordance with UK GDPR.