To scan a document with a printer you need an all-in-one model with a scanner. You can start the scan from the printer, your computer or your phone. Here are the common ways.
Last updated: October 30, 2026.
Know your scanner type
A flatbed glass is good for single pages, photos and books. An automatic document feeder (ADF) handles stacks of pages. Check which your printer has.
Scan from the printer
Place the page on the glass or in the feeder, choose Scan on the printer screen and pick a destination, such as a USB drive, an email address or a computer on your network.
Scan from a Windows PC
Open the Scan app or the printer maker’s software, choose your printer, set the file type such as PDF and resolution, then scan.
Scan from a Mac
Open Image Capture or add the scanner under Printers and Scanners, then choose your options and click Scan.
Scan from a phone
Use the manufacturer’s app to start a scan and save it to your phone. As a quick alternative, a phone camera scanning feature works for one-off pages.
Tips for better scans
- Clean the glass first.
- Use 200 to 300 dpi for documents and higher for photos.
- Save multi-page scans as one PDF.
Printers with a good scanner
See our best all-in-one printers, and read what an all-in-one printer is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any printer scan?
Only all-in-one models. Print-only printers do not have a scanner.
What resolution should I scan at?
200 to 300 dpi is enough for most documents.
How do I scan multiple pages into one PDF?
Use a feeder or the scan app’s option to add pages, then save as a single PDF.
Bottom Line
Use the glass for single pages and the feeder for stacks, and start the scan from the printer, computer or phone app.
