Best practices for scanning and uploading essays

When uploading handwritten or printed essays to EssayGrader, the quality of the scan or photo makes a big difference. Clear, well-prepared documents help ensure accurate grading. Here are some simple guidelines:

Scanning or photographing essays

• Use a good scan or photo

A resolution of at least 150 DPI (dots per inch) works best. If the text looks sharp and easy to read on your screen, it will usually process well.

• Save in common formats

PDF, JPG, or PNG are the most reliable file types. If you have multiple pages, combine them into a single PDF before uploading.

Tip: See our guide on combining scanned pages into one PDF.

• Keep pages straight

Place the paper flat and aligned. Avoid tilting, cropping too close, or leaving it sideways.

• Make sure the text is clear

Good lighting is important if you are using a phone or webcam. Avoid shadows, glare, or backgrounds with patterns.

• Avoid clutter

Do not include extra marks, stickers, or decorations around the edges of the page.

Tips for printed essays

• Printed text smaller than about 10-point font may be difficult to read.
• Avoid smudges, faint ink, or faded printouts.

Tips for handwritten essays

• Dark ink on white paper works best (blue or black pen).
• Write clearly, with enough spacing between lines.
• Keep writing away from the very edges of the paper.
• If the essay is more than one page, scan all pages into one PDF before uploading.

Guidance for teachers

Sometimes you may be collecting handwritten exams or assignments yourself. A few small adjustments can make scanning and uploading much easier later:

• Provide lined or unlined white paper (avoid colored paper or heavy patterns).
• Leave a margin on each side of the sheet, so text doesn’t run into the edges.
• Encourage legibility by reminding students to write clearly in dark pen, not pencil.
• Use standard paper sizes (e.g., US Letter or A4) to reduce problems with cropping.
• Collect pages neatly so they can be scanned in order and combined into a single file.

Following these steps will help ensure that student essays—whether typed, printed, or handwritten—can be uploaded smoothly and graded accurately.

Updated on: 09/30/2025