Microfilm and Microfiche Digitisation

A microfiche is a sheet of flat film, 105 x 148 mm in size, the same size as the international standard for paper size ISO A6. It carries a matrix of micro images, usually reduced to about 1/25 their normal size. The most commonly used format is a portrait image of about 10 x 14 mm. Historically, microfiche was used to preserve A4/A3 documentation.

Microfilm is a roll of images like a movie reel usually either 16mm or 35mm in size while microfiche is a flat sheet of microfilm. Because the documents are usually reduced to about 1/25 their normal size, microform storage can easily store thousands of documents without taking up much space.

Microforms are scaled-down copies of documents, typically either films or paper, made for the purposes of transmission, storage, reading, and printing. Microform includes flat film, microfilm, aperture cards, microfiche, and ultra-fiche.

A microfilm machine is a device used in projecting and magnifying images stored in microform to a readable size. A microfiche machine or ‘reader’ is often also a microfilm reader, so you’ll be able to view the images on both types of material. If connected to a printer, you can also use a microfilm or microfiche reader to print your microform images.

A microfilm reader is a device used in projecting and magnifying images stored in microform to a readable size. A microfiche reader is often also a microfilm reader, so you’ll be able to view the images on both types of material. If connected to a printer, you can also use a microfilm or microfiche reader to print your microform images.

Microform was ground-breaking in the 1920s, allowing newspapers to be preserved in a way that delivered substantial space savings, and ensured high quality of images. Nowadays, there is a better alternative to storing microfilm and microfiche libraries in analogue form that allows businesses or institutions to quickly and easily retrieve stored documents or images without the need for any specialist equipment.

The first use of commercial microfilm was developed by a New York City banker, George McCarthy, in the 1920’s. In 1925, McCarthy was issued a patent for his Checkograph machine, designed to make permanent film copies of bank records.

In the 1930s, a 35mm microfilm camera paved the way for newspaper preservation, still one of the main areas that microfilm is used. In the UK during the 1960’s, Microfiche became popular for the reduction of paper files in offices usually for A4 sized paper with one Microfiche normally holding 60 images of A4.

The costs of digitisation are specific to each project. Our team will provide you with a detailed analysis for an accurate quote. The most significant factors that affect the price of a project are the total volume of documents to be scanned and the indexing required. Have a chat with one of the team today to find out more.

If stored properly, microfilm has a 500-year lifespan and is known as truly Archival.

• Pack your microfilm tightly to prevent oxidation
• Ensure the temperature of the storage facility does not exceed 21°C (70°F).
• Ensure the humidity of the storage facility does not exceed 50%
• Limit exposure to light
• Keep your storage facility clean
• Don’t paint rooms without removing your microfilm first