We have developed a method for producing artifact illustrations from digital photographs or scans.  The product is a black-and-white image file (we use the TIFF format, though we can convert it to whatever you need).  The best illustrations come from scanned pottery sherds, but we can do whole ceramic vessels, ground stone artifacts, chipped stone artifacts, and historic artifacts as well.  Of these, the chipped stone artifacts pose the greatest challenge, especially when the material does not form sharp edges on the flake scars or if the tool has been used extensively (potentially dulling the edges).  For best results, we require access to the artifact so that we may either scan it or photograph it in a controlled environment.

Advantages to this method:  It is quick, inexpensive, and a valuable alternative to inserting artifact photographs in your reports that may or may not photocopy very well.  With black-and-white illustrations, you will always get a good photocopy, and illustrated artifacts are an attractive addition to any archaeological report.  We can also modify the black-and-white photographs for your print documents so that they print and photocopy much clearer, as well.