There are two different types of originals: Reflective and Transparent art. Some scanners can handle both types while others do one or the other. Transparency adapters can usually be purchased separately to add to a regular reflective scanner.

• Reflective Art: Reflective art refers to images that are physical objects such as photographs, drawings, paintings, objects, etc. The scanner captures the light as it is reflected off the original.
• Transparent Art: Transparent art refers to images such as slides, transparencies, negative and positive film, etc. The scanner captures the light as it passes through the original.