Microfilm Conversion

TierFive utilizes production class SunRise scanners and bi-tonal image enhancement software, to digitize your existing legacy microfilm or microfiche archive. Digital conversion of your microfilm eliminates the manual intensive nature of film retrieval and the ongoing operation cost of maintaining legacy reader printers. We specialize in enhancing dark or poor quality film; often producing images better than the quality of the original film. Scratched faded or damaged original film can require meticulous handling. Our full service microfilm laboratory performs pre scan cleaning to remove debris or dirt from daily use prior to High resolution or grayscale imaging to .tiff, .jpg or even .pdf formats (with or without OCR).  We can even perform image cropping, segmenting, and chronological bates stamping via water marking to address litigation requirements.

Film Types – Scanning and Indexing

  • 16/35 mm rolls: 100′ and 215′ most common (Blipped or Un-Blipped)
  • Microfiche : Microfiche, COM Microfiche, Jackets,Step & Repeat Fiche
  • Aperture Card : Hollerith Code, Non-Hollerith Code 1:1 or 4:1 per card

Film Capacity Estimates

  • Film Density (0.9 – 1.1+)
  • Resolution (20x24x36x42x48x)
  • DPI (200, 300, +)
  • Blip encoding detection
  • Hollerith Punch Decoding
  • Header Label
  • Image enhancement
  • Indexing
  • 24x 100 ft. = 2,600 images
  • 32x 100 ft. = 3,600 images
  • 40x 100 ft .= 4,400 images
  • 48x 100 ft. = 6,150 images
  • 24x 215 ft. = 6,100 images
  • 32x 215 ft. = 8,400 images
  • 40x 215 ft .= 10,000 images
  • 48x 215 ft. = 12,300 images

MicroFilm Doesnt Last Forever

Most older microfilm has a backing made of acetate plastic which is subject to advanced degradation called “vinegar syndrome”.  When the backing on acetate films begins to degrade it releases acetic acid evidenced by a vinegar smell causing; hazing, cracking, darkening and rapidly destroying the film. Redox of some processed silver gelatin microfilms even in storage develop small colored spots or blemishes. Seen first on the fogged or dark leader at the outside of the roll generally red or yellow in color spots rapidly expand to areas where fingerprints and  adhesive tape have made contact with the film destroying images.