Unable to scan properly with details for high resolution stamp

Question

I am trying to scan a postal stamp which has some really tiny fonts and very neat details. No matter how hard I try I can not able to catch those details and colors in the scanned image. I have tried the highest possible resolution with my HP Scanjet 300 and Cannon LiDE 200

I am on Mac and have scanned with the native scanning software as well as trying to scan with Photoshop. Can't seem to figure out what I am doing wrong. The colors and the details just don't look good in the scanned image. The stamp is on a usual glossy paper.

Any suggestions/pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Postage stamps are just too tiny to get a good scan with a flatbed scanner.

I suggest you photograph it instead.

You might also make sure it will be legal, depending on your purpose. I'd check the laws regarding reproduction of postage stamps. Here's a link.

"Most government work is not subject to copyright but stamps are. There is a licensing division of the US Postal Service that deals with this specifically."