The Resolution and Device Independent Plain-Paper Input System allows for quick and easy creation of hard-copy data input packages without the use of special forms or complex and costly special forms scanning machines. Input pages may be created on any personal computer and printed using any laser or inkjet type printer or copy machine. Personalized data may easily be encoded onto the forms at the time of printing. Additionally, forms may be output directly to formatted disk files such as adobe acrobat for viewing before printing. Completed forms may be scanned and the data read using a large variety of scanning devices such as high-speed digital copy machines, personal computer page scanners and fax machines.