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# Best practices for scanning and uploading essays

# 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](https://help.essaygrader.ai/en-us/article/how-do-i-combine-scanned-pages-into-one-pdf-19l66j7/).

* **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.