These remarks concern scanning of old paper documents. They do not apply to the
scanning of old photographs.

If the scanner has a source option, select "black and white document" instead of
any of the photographic selections, , i.e., don't select "black and white
photograph." Adjust the contrast threshold for maximum contrast.

If there is bleed through, it can be minimized by backing the document with a
sheet of black paper.  This is an old trick that works well.

Use of a green or yellow sheet may improve legibility of faded ink, as others
have suggested.

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