HOME · DIGITISATION
Digitisation of cultural heritage
From the physical original to an organised, quality-controlled digital collection designed for long-term use.
THE WORKFLOW
01 · Prepare
Materials, original order and conservation condition.
02 · Capture
Images aligned with project aims and technical specifications.
03 · Organise
Quality checks, filenames, metadata and file structure.
04 · Enable access
Preservation masters and derivatives for consultation.
14.000
archaeological drawings on transparent sheets handled in the principal digitisation project
6 stages
from the physical object to delivery and organisation of the results
Physical + digital
one integrated process of care, quality control and access
BEYOND SCANNING
A digital image is useful only when it belongs to a system.
Digitisation is not simply the reproduction of a page or document. It means preparing the original correctly, establishing consistent criteria, checking the results and linking them to the information needed for identification and discovery.
A sound project brings together capture quality, care of the original, file organisation, metadata, digital preservation and methods of access.
WORKFLOW
Six stages, one chain of responsibility
The workflow is tailored to the collection, the institution’s objectives and the delivery specifications.
01
Preparation
Assessment of materials, original order, handling requirements and preparation of the workstation.
02
Image capture
Digital capture using consistent parameters, with close attention to legibility and the integrity of the original.
03
Quality control
Checks for completeness, orientation, focus, consistency, correspondence with the original and absence of errors.
04
Processing
Controlled optimisation and production of the required formats while preserving a master copy.
05
Metadata and filenames
Association of descriptive information, consistent file naming and folder organisation.
06
Delivery and access
Structuring the results for preservation, consultation, publication or integration into a Digital Library.
DATA AND INTEROPERABILITY
Describe to retrieve. Organise to preserve.
Standards and models are selected according to the type of heritage material and the destination system.
METADATA
Dublin Core
An essential, interoperable descriptive structure for digital resources and collections.
ARCHIVES
ISAD(G)
Principles of multilevel description and preservation of relationships within the archival context.
TEXTS
TEI/XML
Structured encoding of texts and documents when a project requires machine-readable content.
ECOSYSTEM
PND and Digital Library
Alignment with the principles of Italy’s National Digitisation Plan (PND) and organisation for digital access systems.
PROJECT CASE STUDY
14,000 archaeological drawings on transparent sheets
Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per la Città Metropolitana di Milano
The project covered plans, surveys and excavation drawings on transparent supports: handling and protective housing of the original material, high-resolution capture, image quality control, metadata creation and the application of conservation protocols.
This experience demonstrates how digitising large documentary collections requires method, operational continuity and close attention to the physical fragility of the originals.
THE ORIGINAL COMES FIRST
Digital quality also depends on material care.
Condition assessment, correct handling and rehousing are not secondary tasks: they protect the object throughout the entire process.
Materials suitable for digitisation
Books and files · archival documents · photographs · works on paper · plans and drawings · paper and parchment materials.
Methods, equipment and formats are selected according to size, binding, fragility, quantity and intended use.
RELATED 01
Projects
Case studies in digitisation, conservation and the enhancement of cultural heritage.
RELATED 02
Services for institutions and collections
Tailored activities for museums, archives, libraries and private collections.
RELATED 03
Research and heritage
From the Antro’s historic library to a space devoted to sources, research and cultural memory.
Would you like to turn a collection into an accessible digital resource?
Tell me about the type, quantity and condition of the materials, and the objectives of the project.