Need a scanner for scanning LARGE inserts. Recommend an A3/Tabloid scanner?

[CZroe]

I recently repaired a 17” professional photo printer which allows me to print some of the particularly large inserts that are out there, like Neo Geo MVS ShockBoxes. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much available for Neo Geo AES inserts (original or ShockBox), which I’d also like to print with this beast. I did find one printable insert for Samurai Showdown II AES. It was too large for my paper trimmer but other than that it worked out very well even without special photo paper (used Super A3 13x19” Ultra Premium Matte Presentation paper).

Rather than sit around and complain about the lack of AES inserts available online, I’d like to do something about it. It’ll take a while to learn enough about GIMP/Photoshop to convert a few MVS ShockBox inserts to AES inserts but that’s one way. The thing is, even that’s going to be difficult without original scans. At the very least, I figure I can contribute raw scans for the few AES inserts I have: Art of Fighting 2 JPN, Fatal Fury Special JP, Riding Hero NA, original Samurai Shodown NA. The problem now is that I don’t have access to a large enough scanner.

What would you guys suggest for scanning 11x17” and larger pages? I’ve seen some wide-format multi-function printers with A3 scanner beds but I figure they aren’t going to be as good as a dedicated scanner and I already have two wide-format inkjet printers to deal with (and a couple color lasers). I REALLY don’t need another printer, but I’ll get another if it’s the best option for a large bed scanner. What do you guys suggest?

[ShoothimNow]

I read it wrong, thinking you had the 17" printer, and thought it had a scanner on it and are LOOKING for a scanner.  Not things to scan, heh

[CZroe]

I read it wrong, thinking you had the 17" printer, and thought it had a scanner on it and are LOOKING for a scanner.  Not things to scan, heh

I do have the printer. It doesn’t have a scanner, but nothing in its class does. I’m looking for a large format scanner, but most are built into lesser large format multi-function printers. I’m also looking for existing AES scans and inserts.

I edited a bit for clarity. Thanks!

Edit - This puppy:


Some 13x19 prints:


Can be rigged to do larger 17x*” banners (roll paper) and can print directly to 16” wide posterboard from the flat feed tray but I haven’t found photo-treated posterboard small enough (only 24” for their floor-standing professional printers).

*practically whatever length the software allows

[wiggy]

Have you considered just scanned in 2 passes then stitching them together in photoshop?  That’s how I’ve handled larger documents in the past.

[CZroe]

Have you considered just scanned in 2 passes then stitching them together in photoshop?  That’s how I’ve handled larger documents in the past.

My GIMP/Photoshop abilities are so limited I can’t even manage that convincingly. I guess they’d still be useful raw scans for someone who knows what they are doing.

I figured that an A3 scanner would be useful almost right away since I actually have an extra copy of SamSho, SamSho II, and FF Special with a second AES that I just fixed last week and I’m hoping to quickly mock up some replacement cases for these using my original inserts. My first AES was broken too and the dupes were picked up as broken/bootleg (turned out to be legit and working).

It’s starting to sound like I have a thing for buying broken stuff! The printer part was nearly $200 but when you consider that it’s a $1,300 printer that was on open box clearance at Fry’s with no ink for $750, I think I did alright. Full set of ink is hundreds and I’m sure their open-box display model was hopelessly clogged... with a stuck ink switch valve.

Anyway, I’ve got a lot more planned where a bigger scanner would be useful so I’m still looking for one even if I resort to stitching scans together for Neo Geo AES. Recommendations are still appreciated.

[CZroe]

The good Samurai Shodown II cover came from Kazuya_UK on his Neo Geo For Life website. He does have a few more but nothing I can use (Garou: Mark of the Wolves, SvC: Chaos, Metal Slug, and a couple KoF games).

Adapting MVS ShockBox covers from Southtown-homebrew, I came up with these:
https://imgur.com/gallery/lJfvI

I’m not very happy with a couple of them but my issues are primarily with the source images. Going to have to ask Kazuya_UK for his template because his work/quality is awesome.