Here is the response from our Preservation/Reprography team:

Firstly, if asked this question re scanning old and faded ordinances we
would seek an assurance/assessment that the records were in a stable
sound condition. Even then, however, batch scanning would not be
recommended. If the records were in any way vulnerable to physical
damage it would be recommended that the records be supported in a mylar
sleeve during scanning.

Technically, experience shows that faded type will not be recorded if
trying to batch scan old browned or faded documents using a bulk source
document scanner especially if it utilises 1bit B/W.  It is preferable,
if you wish to successfully capture information from browned, faded or
stained documents to scan in either 256 greyscale and adjust relevant
tonal values or sometimes in colour first and adjust relevant tonal
values and then convert to greyscale. This is where your choice of
software and knowledge of its capabilities are essential.  For
preservation of information purposes, the image must remain as greyscale
or if need be colour to maintain the tonal values but this means that
each page size will be noticeably larger in mB size compared to a 1 bit
B/W.

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Bernadette Keogh
A/Records Manager
Queensland State Archives
Telephone: +61 7 3131 7738
Facsimile: +61 7 3131 7764
Email: [log in to unmask]
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Thank you.

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