Trivial question really, but this group is the fount of all knowledge ...

I do a quiz for the pub, every few weeks. I do a picture round, by
cutting out photos from newspapers/mags, and sticking them on one sheet;
then I scan it, then I print off the required number of copies (in black
and white, to save costs).

My scanner is a Canon MP270 inkjet printer/scanner (i.e. cheap end); my
B/W printer is a Samsung ML2010 laser (i.e. *cheap* end).

Is there any way I can avoid the "dotty" effects of newsprint scans? I
scan at 600 dpi in the hope that this will give better quality .. but
I'm beginning to think that I should scan as low as possible?

(Yes yes -- I know I can try it, and will, but I'm wondering if there is
common knowledge that hasn't spread my way yet...)

Cheers
John