Yes, PaperSurvey can process faxed surveys, though success depends heavily on fax quality and proper setup.

How faxing affects survey quality

Faxing introduces several challenges:

• Resolution loss - Faxes typically transmit at 200 DPI or less
• Image compression - Details may be lost or blurred
• Contrast issues - Grays become black or white
• Noise and artifacts - Phone line quality affects clarity

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

Optimizing surveys for fax transmission

Before sending

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

Fax machine settings

• Use "Fine" or "Super Fine" mode - Higher quality transmission
• Select "Text" not "Photo" mode - Better for surveys
• Ensure clean scanner glass - Spots become black marks
• Check contrast settings - Too dark obscures text

Receiving faxed surveys

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

Common fax-related issues

Problem: Missing corner marks

Fax margins often crop edges

• Solution: Add extra margin when printing original
• Alternative: Use slightly smaller survey layout

Problem: Illegible handwriting

Fax compression affects text clarity

• Solution: Instruct respondents to print clearly
• Prevention: Use larger text fields

Problem: Black spots or lines

Phone line noise creates artifacts

• Solution: Clean up images before uploading
• Alternative: Request email submission instead

Best practices for fax workflows

Survey design tips

1. Increase checkbox size - Larger targets survive compression
2. Use simple fonts - Avoid decorative text
3. Add white space - Prevents bleeding between sections
4. Bold important elements - Corner marks, instructions

Instructions for respondents

Include clear guidance:

"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
2. Process test page first
3. Adjust verification settings if needed
4. Be prepared for higher error rates

Alternative solutions

Digital options

Consider these alternatives to faxing:

• Email scanning - Respondents scan and email
• Mobile apps - Document scanning apps
• Web surveys - Online version as backup
• Postal mail - Original quality preserved

Hybrid approach

• Offer multiple return methods
• Track which method each respondent uses
• Compare quality across methods
• Optimize based on results

Troubleshooting fax issues

Q: Can I improve already-faxed surveys? A: Limited improvement possible:

• Adjust contrast in image editor
• Clean up spots manually
• Re-scan at higher resolution
• Cannot recover lost detail

Q: What fax resolution is minimum? A: 200 DPI standard mode usually works, but "Fine" mode (300 DPI) is recommended

Q: Should I re-fax poor quality surveys? A: No, re-faxing worsens quality. Request the original be sent again.

Success tips

1. Test your workflow - Fax a sample survey to yourself
2. Set expectations - Inform users about potential quality issues
3. Have backup plans - Alternative submission methods ready
4. Monitor quality - Track error rates for faxed vs. mailed surveys

While modern digital methods offer better quality, fax remains viable for many organizations. With proper setup and clear instructions, faxed surveys can be successfully processed by PaperSurvey.