Yes, PaperSurvey can process faxed surveys. However, fax transmission inherently degrades image quality, so success depends on the quality of the fax and proper setup on both ends. With the right preparation, most faxed surveys process without problems.

How faxing affects survey quality

Faxing introduces several challenges that can impact recognition:

• Resolution loss. Faxes typically transmit at 200 DPI or less.
• Image compression. Fine details may be lost or blurred.
• Contrast issues. Gray tones are forced to pure black or white.
• Noise and artifacts. Phone line quality affects overall clarity.

Despite these challenges, most faxed surveys process successfully with proper preparation.

Optimizing surveys for fax transmission

Before sending

• Use black pen only. Colored inks fax poorly.
• Write clearly. Extra-neat handwriting compensates for quality loss.
• Fill boxes completely. Partial marks may disappear during transmission.
• Avoid corrections. Cross-outs can become illegible blotches.

Fax machine settings

• Use "Fine" or "Super Fine" mode for higher quality transmission
• Select "Text" not "Photo" mode for better contrast on surveys
• Ensure clean scanner glass. Spots on the glass become black marks.
• Check contrast settings. Too dark can obscure text.

Receiving faxed surveys

• Save as PDF if possible. This is better than printing and rescanning.
• Use fax-to-email services. Digital files maintain quality.
• Avoid re-faxing. Each transmission degrades quality further.
• Print at high quality if physical copies are needed.

Common fax-related issues

Missing corner marks

Fax margins often crop edges. Solution: Add extra margin when printing the original, or use a slightly smaller survey layout.

Illegible handwriting

Fax compression reduces text clarity. Solution: Instruct respondents to print clearly, and use larger text fields in your survey design.

Black spots or lines

Phone line noise creates visual artifacts. Solution: Clean up images before uploading, or request email submission as an alternative.

Best practices for fax workflows

Survey design

1. Increase checkbox size. Larger targets survive compression better.
2. Use simple fonts. Avoid decorative text that may not transmit well.
3. Add white space. Extra spacing prevents bleeding between sections.
4. Bold important elements such as corner marks and instructions.

Instructions for respondents

Include clear guidance on the survey itself:

"If returning by fax:

• Use black pen only
• Write clearly in PRINT letters
• Fill checkboxes completely
• Set fax to 'Fine' quality mode"

Processing faxed surveys

1. Review fax quality immediately upon receipt
2. Process a test page first
3. Adjust verification settings if needed
4. Be prepared for higher error rates compared to scanned originals

Alternative solutions

Digital options

Consider these alternatives to faxing:

• Email scanning. Respondents scan and email their completed forms.
• Mobile apps. Document scanning apps produce higher quality images.
• Web surveys. An online version can serve as a backup.
• Postal mail. Original quality is fully preserved.

Hybrid approach

Offering multiple return methods lets you track which method each respondent uses and compare quality across methods, then optimize based on the results.