PDF to Scanned Look Instantly – No Scanner Required

LookScanned.io is a web-based tool designed to give digital PDFs the appearance of physical, scanned documents. By eliminating the need for printers and scanners, it allows you to achieve the desired effect in just a few clicks, with all processing handled directly within your browser.

What sets it apart

• Local Processing: Your files never leave your device, ensuring complete data privacy.
• Offline Functionality: Operates as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for use without an internet connection.
• Side-by-Side Preview: View the original PDF and the scanned version simultaneously to compare results.
• Broad Compatibility: Runs smoothly on any modern browser and across all devices.
• Static Architecture: Built using pure static files with no backend requirement.
• Customizable Controls: Fine-tune the settings to achieve the specific visual output you need.

Getting started

1. Install dependencies: npm install
2. Launch in development mode: npm run dev
3. Build the project: npm run build (the output will be generated in the dist folder)

The technology stack LookScanned.io is powered by the cancerberoSgx/magica library—an implementation of ImageMagick specifically for browsers and Node.js. This library provides a straightforward setup, a high-level API, and a functional command-line interface.

The core stack includes:

• React
• Vite
• TypeScript
• magica (ImageMagick for the browser)

Use cases Whether you need to give a document a vintage aesthetic or want to obscure sensitive information without the risk of uploading files to a third-party server, LookScanned provides a reliable solution. Because the application runs entirely on your local machine, your sensitive data remains private and secure.