[nspwis]

Filter>Sketch>Photocopy looks like just what I need -- quick and easy, considering I have more than 100 pages to convert and print. The only problem -- when I tried it, I got a negative -- the writing is white and the background black. There must be a setting that changes it to black on white, but I can't find it. Any advice?
Thanks for all the help on this -- it is appreciated.

[nspwis]

I answered my own question - before using the Sketch>Photocopy filter, I had to make sure the foreground color was set to black and the background to white. I must have had it reversed, the first time I tried it.

[BLR]

A crude, but effective approach is:

1. Image > Adjustments > Levels. Use the white point eyedropper to set the paper color to white. Click OK.

2. Use the magnifying glass tool repeatedly to enlarge the document until the handwriting strokes are wide enough to select.

3. Image > Adjustments > Levels. Use the black point eyedropper to set the handwriting strokes' color to black. Click OK.

4. Adjust the document's magnification so you can read a few words or lines at a time.

This doesn't produce a very nice restoration, but it is useful if your main goal is to read the document.

[warlock]

leveled all the colors only, then black eyedropper and white eyedropper in level.