The office scanner spits out one PDF per page. A 30-page contract turns into 30 separate files. Re-scanning isn't an option — the original is back in the filing cabinet.
Combining scans is the same as merging any PDFs. Making them searchable is where most workflows stop short.
Get the scans in order
Scanner output is usually named with a sequence number. Sort by name and you're in the right order. If pages got out of sequence during scanning, fix the order before combining.
Tip: if scans are out of order, reorder them after merging rather than re-naming each file.
Merge into one PDF
Drop the scans into Flint's merge tool. They combine into one file in the order uploaded. Now it's one document.
Check the result. If any pages are upside down, rotate them. If pages are slanted from a hurried feed through the scanner, deskew them.
Run OCR to make it searchable
A scan is a picture. Searching it returns nothing. Run OCR on the combined PDF and the text becomes recognisable — you can search it, copy from it, and screen readers can use it.
This step is what turns a folder of scanned pages into a proper digital document.
Compress and store
Scanned PDFs are usually heavy — each page is essentially an image. Compress the result for sending or storing. Scan-derived PDFs compress remarkably well — often by 80%+.
Add metadata — title, subject, keywords — so the archived file is findable later.
FAQ
Does OCR change how the scan looks?
No. OCR adds an invisible text layer on top of the scan. Visually unchanged; behind the scenes, searchable.
What if the scans are crooked?
Deskew before running OCR. OCR works much better on straight pages — typically 95%+ accuracy on straight vs 70-80% on crooked.
Can I merge scans of different sizes?
Yes, but mixed sizes look odd. Resize to a common page size before or after merging.
Why is my scanned PDF so big?
Scanners default to high-resolution images. Compress the result — for typical office documents, you'll see 70-90% reduction with no visible quality loss.
A pile of scans becomes a real document with merge, OCR, and compress. Start with Flint's merge tool and finish with a searchable archive.