06 · Blueprint Printing
Large format scanning in Calgary
A roll of drawings in a closet is one leaky pipe away from gone. A scan lasts.
Quick answer
Large format scanning turns oversized paper documents like blueprints, architectural drawings and maps into digital files. SURE Print Foothills scans large format documents in Calgary to PDF or TIFF, so you can archive them, email them to consultants, mark them up on screen and reprint them at full size whenever you need to.
Paper drawings are hard to share and easy to lose. They fade, tear, get rolled up with the wrong set, or end up in a basement that floods. Once a drawing is scanned, you can send it to an engineer in Edmonton in a minute and print a fresh copy whenever one goes missing on site.
We scan sheets too big for an office scanner, so whole blueprints come through in one piece rather than stitched together from tiles. You tell us how you want the files: one multi-page PDF per set, a separate file per sheet, or TIFF for archiving. We name the files in a sensible order so the set is easy to find later.
Options
Scanning options
The easiest format to email, view and print. Multi-page PDFs keep a full set together in one file.
TIFF
A common archive format for drawings, and one that many CAD and document systems can import.
Black and white or colour
Line drawings scanned in black and white, colour plans and maps scanned in colour.
Scan and reprint
Get digital files and fresh paper copies from the same visit.
Organised file naming
Files named by sheet number or title so the set stays in order.
What to expect
How your large format scanning order works
- 1
Bring in the drawings
Drop off your sheets or rolls at the shop. Walk-ins are welcome.
- 2
Choose the format
Tell us whether you want PDF or TIFF, colour or black and white, and how the files should be grouped.
- 3
Scan
We scan each sheet at full size and check the files for readability.
- 4
Delivery
Get your files by email, download link or USB, and your originals back in hand.
What people scan
- Original house plans before a renovation or sale
- Architectural and engineering archives for firms going paperless
- Building drawings for property managers and condo boards
- Marked-up as-built drawings from the end of a project
- Maps, survey plans and oversized artwork
Scan once, print anytime
Once your drawings are scanned, we can keep the files on hand for reprints. Need three more half-size sets next month? Call or email and we'll print them from the scan. No need to dig out the originals or bring anything back to the shop.
FAQ
Large Format Scanning questions
What's the largest drawing you can scan?
We scan standard large format blueprints and architectural sheets in one pass. If you have something unusually wide or long, call us with the measurements and we'll let you know.
Can you convert a scanned blueprint into a CAD file?
We scan to PDF and TIFF. Those files can be imported into CAD software as a background for redrawing, but scanning alone doesn't create editable CAD linework.
How much does it cost to scan blueprints?
It depends on the number of sheets, their size, whether you need colour and how you want the files organised. Tell us roughly how many drawings you have and we'll email a detailed quote.
Can you scan drawings that are torn or folded?
Usually, yes. We flatten and handle them carefully. Heavily damaged sheets may show creases or tears in the scan, but the drawing information normally comes through.
Ready when you are
Ready to order large format scanning?
Tell us what you need and we'll email you a detailed quote. Or just bring your files by the shop. You don't need an appointment.