PURPOSE: To obtain a picture with a proper density by using a reference white board so as to set a white level and to attain picture reading with less defective magnification and distortion of an image.

CONSTITUTION: An entrance side carrier roller 1 and an exit side carrier roller 2 are used to carry an original 3 at a prescribed speed and picture information is read by a read section 4 fixed between both carrier rollers. A pressing roller 7 arranged opposite just above the read section 4 is driven at the same speed as that of both carrier rollers and the original 3 is carried while being pressed onto a platen glass. Pressing sections 7a, 7b in contact with the platen glass and both sides of the original 3 are provided to both ends of the pressing roller and a smaller diameter part whose diameter is slightly smaller than that of the pressing part is formed in the middle so that the pressing part is not in contact with the platen glass and the original. The smaller diameter part forms a reference white level area 13 to act like a density reference setting section and when the original 3 passes, the read section checks automatically the density reference setting section to read a reference level for density setting to a succeeding original.