Herbarium
Picturae revolutionized the approach to herbarium digitization with the introduction of the conveyor belt. In our 10+ years of experience, Picturae has worked with over 60 different herbariums, imaged over 20,000,000 specimens, and contributed over 2,000 terabytes of data to the botanical community.
Conveyor Belt Technology
We digitize herbarium specimens around the clock and across the globe. Thanks to our innovative solutions and team of experienced and enthusiastic herbarium digitization specialists, we can digitize collections anywhere in the world. We achieve this with our signature combination of specialized knowledge and high-tech customized digitization workflows.
A Proven Workflow
Picturae’s herbarium digitization workflow is designed to meet the unique complexities and needs of botanical collections. Each specimen and folder is provided with a unique identifier, usually a barcode or QR-code, as part of the digitization workflow. This way, we create a digital copy of the physical herbarium formatting. The subsequent images captured are checked and validated in real time using our intuitive live-processing imaging software. Using this, we can accurately assess levels of color profiles, sharpness and depth – setting the bar for preservation grade botanical imaging.
Lastly, it is best practice to enrich records with relevant metadata for optimal use in databases. In the end, we help herbaria to create a Digital Extended Specimen for each specimen in their collection.
On-site Digitization
Picturae’s herbarium conveyors have seen over 12 countries, 3 continents and countless time zones. We work on-site with museums and institutions in Italy, France, the United States and Australia, to name a few. Organizing an on-site digitization project saves you on transport fees and minimizes concerns for the integrity of the fragile material. Moreover, we always work with a local team of Digitization Technicians, who we temporarily hire and train, benefiting local economies. We customize the project design and plan for your unique digitization needs in close collaboration with your collection specialists and curators.
The Impact
We are proud to have participated in the international ICEDIG project, which was foundational to devise the structural pillars of DiSSCo. ICEDIG has paved the way to mass digitization of European natural science collections and the subsequent access to all related data in a harmonised and integrated manner across Europe.
Picturae is proud to be part of the research infrastructure as a service supplier to digitize Biodiversity collections. The data-driven joint research will contribute to finding new insights in the areas of, for example, climate change, health and food safety.
Naturalis Biodiversity Center
With its outstanding collection of 37 million biological and geological objects, Naturalis Biodiversity Center is one of the top 5 biodiversity centers in the world. They receive ongoing research requests from the Netherlands and abroad. Picturae has digitized and transcribed Naturalis’ entire herbarium collection of 5 million specimens using our unique conveyor belt digitization technology. The project was foundational to our unique approach to the digitization of Biodiversity collections.
Contact Us
Our team is ready to help with any questions you might have. Share a few details about your institution and project, and we will respond promptly to continue the discussion.
