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What can C-Pen products read?

Learn what C-Pen products can read, including supported font sizes, compatible document types, limitations with digital screens and coloured paper, and tips for achieving the best scanning results.

What can C-Pen products read?

 

All C-Pen products, including the C-Pen Reader 3, C-Pen Exam Reader 2 and C-Pen Lingo 3, and earlier reading pen models, are designed to scan and read printed text.

C-Pen products can typically read:

  • Printed text in font sizes 7–22
  • Most standard fonts used in books, worksheets, exams, reports and other printed materials
  • Black text on white or high-contrast backgrounds
  • Documents printed on standard paper

For best results, the text should be clearly printed, well-lit and positioned on a flat surface.

What font sizes can C-Pen products read?

C-Pen reading and scanning pens are designed to read text between:

Font size 7 and font size 22

Text significantly smaller than size 7 or larger than size 22 may not scan reliably.

What types of text can C-Pen products not read?

C-Pen products are designed primarily for printed materials and may not reliably read:

  • Text displayed on computer monitors
  • Text displayed on tablets
  • Text displayed on mobile phone screens
  • Television screens
  • LED displays

The technology is optimised for printed text rather than pixel-based digital displays.

Can C-Pen products read coloured paper?

It depends on the contrast between the text and the background.

Reading performance may be reduced when scanning:

  • Coloured paper
  • Patterned paper
  • Dark-coloured backgrounds
  • Documents with poor contrast between text and background

For the most accurate results, use documents with high contrast, such as black text on a white background.

What types of documents work best?

C-Pen products typically perform best with:

  • Books
  • Worksheets
  • Examination papers
  • Printed study materials
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Letters
  • Reports and business documents

Most everyday printed materials using standard fonts can be scanned successfully.

Tips for the Best Scanning Results

To improve scanning accuracy:

  1. Place the document on a flat surface.
  2. Ensure there is sufficient lighting.
  3. Scan the line in one smooth movement.
  4. Keep the pen level with the text.
  5. Avoid scanning over folds, creases or glossy reflections.
  6. Ensure the text is clearly printed and not distorted.
Important Note

While most C-Pen products support scanning printed text between font sizes 7 and 22, exact performance may vary depending on:

  • The specific C-Pen model
  • Print quality
  • Font style
  • Lighting conditions
  • Paper colour and contrast
Still Need Help?

If you are unsure whether a particular document can be read by your C-Pen product, please contact the Scanning Pens support team and include a photograph of the text you are trying to scan.