How do you set up FADGI color targets and scanner calibration before a digitization run?

Setting up color targets and calibrating your scanner before a digitization run is what separates a casual scan from a defensible, preservation-grade image. The Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative (FADGI) defines star-rating performance levels for these checks, so the goal is to verify that your equipment actually meets the level your project requires before you capture a single record.

Define your target level first

Decide which FADGI star level applies to the material. The level you choose drives your required resolution, tonal accuracy, and color-error tolerances. Document this in your imaging specification so operators and reviewers share the same benchmark.

Stabilize the imaging environment

Calibration only holds if conditions are stable:

• Let the scanner or camera warm up so output is consistent.
• Control ambient light so it does not contaminate captures.
• Keep illumination, distance, and focus fixed for the run.

Use a recognized color target

Place a standardized color and tone target (such as an objective device target with neutral patches and color swatches) in the imaging field. Targets give you measurable reference values rather than subjective impressions. For each session, capture the target under the exact settings you will use for the records themselves.

Build and verify the profile

Use the target capture to set white balance, confirm neutral grays are actually neutral, and generate or apply an ICC color profile. Then evaluate the results against your chosen tolerances, checking:

• Color accuracy (delta-E type error against known patch values)
• Tone response and dynamic range
• Resolution and sharpness
• Uniformity of illumination across the frame

Analysis tools designed for these targets can score performance automatically against FADGI thresholds.

Document and re-check

Record the calibration settings, target used, and results as part of your imaging metadata and quality-control log. Re-run the target periodically during long sessions and after any equipment change, because drift is normal over time. This documentation supports the authenticity and trustworthiness of the resulting digital records.

For broader guidance on planning conformant capture workflows, see the digitization and imaging topic hub.

Calibrating to a defined standard up front means your images are reproducible, comparable across batches, and more likely to remain usable for long-term preservation.