FamilySearch is a non-profit organization that captures images and metadata from documents in archives worldwide and hosts them for individuals doing genealogical research. FamilySearch developed a “Digital Pipeline” to capture 50 million images and metadata per year from original records. The pipeline also includes scanning 65 million images from the existing 2.4 million roll microfilm collection. These images and metadata are processed, cataloged, indexed, hosted and preserved. FamilySearch developed hardware and software such as a digital camera and microfilm scanning systems that are used in the Digital Pipeline. The organization develops and implements internal standards for images and metadata. These standards are presented to AIIM/ANSI (Association for Information and Image Management/American National Standards Institute) and ISO (International Organization for Standards) for consideration as national and international standards.This session will explain how FamilySearch developed and uses its Digital Image Specification to produce quality images for its Digital Pipeline and why quality standards are important for an imaging process. Participants in this presentation will learn about the characteristics of a digital image such as tonal range, contrast and tonal and spatial resolution. The importance of each characteristic as it relates to image quality will be explained. The tools FamilySearch uses to create and implement its Digital Image Specification and measure quality as part of the organization's Digital Pipeline also will be explained and demonstrated.The benefits of creating high-quality images according to standards vs. the consequences of using lower-quality images in an imaging process can be clearly demonstrated in a digital process. The presenter will show those benefits and consequences encountered throughout the Digital Pipeline processes. The importance of using quality standards especially when dealing with older, damaged or faded documents will be shown and become particularly evident for any digital process. A discussion on why image creation using quality standards is absolutely necessary for the preservation of those images will be included in the presentation.