Image Science Associates
Advancing Image Quality Standards for the Preservation Community
Image Science Associates (ISA) is a trusted name in digital imaging quality evaluation and a proud partner of The Crowley Company. Founded in 2006 by Don Williams, a former Kodak imaging scientist, ISA was established with a clear mission: To educate and equip the imaging community with the protocols, tools, and best practices needed to ensure digital image accuracy and consistency.
Since its founding, ISA has become a respected voice across libraries, archives, museums, and imaging labs worldwide. Known for their technical expertise and industry leadership, ISA continues to bridge the gap between imaging science and real-world production workflows—helping institutions meet and exceed today’s evolving quality standards.
Software
Targets
A Legacy of Leadership in Imaging Science
With deep roots in the digital archiving field, Don Williams and his team of imaging scientists and engineers have spent decades refining the tools and methodologies that define preservation-quality imaging.
ISA’s commitment to education and collaboration has made them a cornerstone of the imaging community. Their work supports a wide range of users—from library collection owners and university labs, to scanner and system manufacturers including The Crowley Company.
Precision Tools and Practical Solutions
ISA specializes in the design and integration of image quality targets and analysis software, offering a complete ecosystem for testing, verifying, and maintaining imaging performance. Each solution is developed with the same core goal: To make image quality measurement accessible, efficient, and reliable in production environments.
Their offerings include:
Image Quality Targets
ISA’s precision-engineered targets are designed to:
- Comply with accepted industry standards
- Utilize Munsell color patches for superior accuracy and consistency
- Require minimal operator involvement for analysis
- Integrate multiple tests—including resolution, color accuracy, and tone reproduction—in a single capture
Image Analysis Software
ISA’s software solutions are built for production efficiency and clarity, enabling imaging teams to make informed, data-driven decisions. Features include:
- Straightforward installation with comprehensive documentation
- User-friendly operation suitable for production workflows
- Immediate quality output for real-time performance evaluation
- Manual and batch processing modes for flexible use
- Exportable data formats that meet the needs of engineers, quality control teams, and managers
The GoldenThread™ System
ISA’s flagship solution, GoldenThread™, is the industry’s benchmark for communicating and enforcing image quality standards. Designed to measure resolution, color accuracy, and overall imaging performance, GoldenThread provides an objective way to validate system calibration, assess consistency, and ensure compliance across digitization workflows.
By quantifying imaging performance, GoldenThread empowers organizations to:
- Reduce waste and rework
- Prevent subquality output
- Maintain consistency across projects and operators
- Strengthen partnerships between vendors, service providers, and content owners
A Shared Commitment to Quality
Through its partnership with The Crowley Company, ISA’s trusted targets and software solutions are available to Crowley clients worldwide. Together, we help libraries, archives, universities, and imaging professionals achieve the highest standards of digital preservation quality.
When accuracy matters—and it always does in preservation imaging—Crowley and ISA deliver the confidence you can measure.