Luna Imaging was established with funding from Kodak and the J.Paul Getty Trust to set the bar for imaging standards and has been a notable source for expertise and guidance to standards organizations, including the Commission for Preservation and Access (now part of CLIR), the Digital Library Federation and others.

Developed to meet the exacting requirements and unique challenges of digitizing cultural heritage materials, "The Luna Process" has become an industry recognized best practice approach for creating preservation quality digital reproductions of invaluable source objects:

Inventory and Receipt of Deliverables
The Luna Process begins with strict organizational policies and standards for all incoming projects. Materials are carefully received and compared on an individual basis to electronic data delivered by the client to ensure accuracy of the shipment and clear up any discrepancies between data and materials. All materials are logged into Luna’s proprietary production tracking system which is used to create a detailed "Receive Log" that is sent to the client before work begins. This information serves as the basis for tracking the images throughout subsequent steps in the Luna Process.

Image Capture
Luna employs an array of high-end equipment to complete your imaging projects both small and large. From modest collections to collections with hundreds of thousands of images, Luna’s world-class consistency and quality are sustained at the highest levels. Scanning technicians maintain strict handling procedures for all types of materials to preserve the safety and security of your valuable originals.

Phase One Edit: Image Optimization
Professionally trained and certified image technicians individually analyze images to determine proper tonality and color balance. Image technicians rely on expert training and experience to match originals and optimize images to client specifications. All images are brought into strict grayscale or RGB value ranges. In addition, images are analyzed for any remaining dust or other anomalies and meticulously and individually hand "dusted" in Adobe Photoshop. No filters or other image degrading methods are used in the dust-removal process.

Phase Two Edit: Cropping/Sizing—Derivative Creation
Once the images are checked for proper orientation and edited for color balance and dust removal, the images undergo cropping to client specifications (edge crop, crop to object, crop to content, or hairline crop.) At this stage, images can undergo client specified sharpening to produce master archives with fine detail and clarity. The resulting images are used as a basis for any client-specified derivative image creation.

Batch and Write to Media, Update Management Data, Initial QC
File naming, directory organization, client specified metadata, and management data are updated at this stage and master and derivative images are batched into groups for writing to media. Optionally, when optical media are specified, index prints are created consisting of full color thumbnails of all images on each disc, and index sheets are created linking client file name with thumbnail image number on the index print, as well as recording the unique serial number of the disc. Images are then burned onto archive-quality media and packaged into cases containing the disc, and if required, the index print and index sheet. Completed media undergo an initial QC at this stage as each unit is checked and images are opened individually to ensure that they have been successfully written.

Final QC—Shipping
All images and media undergo a final and comprehensive quality control check at this stage. Images are opened individually from the media and checked for proper orientation, naming, color balance, and cropping. Index prints and index sheets are thoroughly checked for proper file names and contents. Packing lists are created as well as a comprehensive film return log with accompanying metadata, which links unique IDs with media batches and serial numbers. Original materials and media are carefully packaged and returned to client.