10 Tips for Better OCR Results

Whether you’re new to OCR or looking to optimize your existing workflow, these proven tips will help you achieve the best possible results from your document processing.

1. Optimize Image Quality

The foundation of accurate OCR starts with high-quality input. Ensure your documents are:

• High resolution (300 DPI or higher)
• Well-lit with minimal shadows
• Sharp and in focus
• Properly aligned (not skewed or rotated)

2. Choose the Right File Format

Different formats work better for different scenarios:

• PDF - Best for text-based documents
• PNG - Ideal for screenshots and graphics
• JPEG - Good for photographs of documents
• TIFF - Perfect for archival and high-quality scans

3. Preprocess Your Images

Simple preprocessing can dramatically improve results:

• Remove noise and artifacts
• Adjust contrast and brightness
• Correct skew and rotation
• Crop unnecessary borders

4. Use Appropriate Language Settings

Always specify the correct language for your documents. LeapOCR supports 50+ languages and can auto-detect when uncertain.

5. Handle Multi-Column Layouts Carefully

For complex layouts:

• Process columns separately when possible
• Use region-specific processing
• Consider the reading order of your content

6. Clean Background and Remove Watermarks

• Use documents with clean, white backgrounds
• Remove or minimize watermarks
• Eliminate background patterns that might interfere

7. Ensure Sufficient Text Size

• Minimum 10-12 point font size recommended
• Avoid heavily compressed images that make text pixelated
• Consider upscaling small text before processing

8. Choose Appropriate Processing Models

LeapOCR offers different models optimized for:

• General text - Standard documents and books
• Handwriting - Cursive and printed handwriting
• Tables - Structured data extraction
• Forms - Field-based document processing

9. Validate and Review Results

Always implement a review process:

• Spot-check critical information
• Use confidence scores to identify uncertain text
• Implement human-in-the-loop validation for important documents

10. Batch Process Similar Documents

For efficiency:

• Group similar document types together
• Use consistent settings for batches
• Automate repetitive processing tasks

Conclusion

By following these best practices, you’ll see significant improvements in OCR accuracy and efficiency. Remember that the best results come from combining high-quality inputs with appropriate processing settings for your specific use case.

Ready to put these tips into practice? Start processing your documents with LeapOCR today!

Need help optimizing your OCR workflow? Our support team is always ready to help you achieve the best possible results.