How can I "scan" an image at a set DPI using a camera?

Question

I want to scan a check so I can upload it to my bank's website for electronic deposit. The bank requires the image to be a JPG of at least 200 DPI. Unfortunately, I do not have a scanner, just a camera.

Can I take a picture of the check and still have it meet the above requirements?

Solution

The standard personal check has a size of 6 x 2.75 inches. At 200 DPI, the resulting image in pixels would be 1200 x 500.¹

Therefor, you should be able to meet your bank's requirements if you crop a picture of the check and the remaining image is at least 1200 x 500 pixels in dimension.

One thing to note, however, is the bank may require the DPI to be in the image's metadata. You can use GIMP to format the image with Image > Print Size and setting the parameters appropriately:

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¹ "dots per inch" is synonymous with "pixels per inch" in this case.

Comments

[neo1691]

If you have an android phone, you can try to scan the check using camscanner! Just in case

[David Schwartz]

If your camera is capable of 1.5 megapixels or more, it should be able to meet the resolution requirements, assuming the check fills the frame to the extent possible.