I feel really embarressed asking this but oh well.

Im playing/learning to scan in ribbons and buttons. Is there a way to have them automatically on a transparent background without having to select and cut them out of a white background? AND then put them on a transparent background?

Im using a hp 4200c scanner
Adobe photoshop/Jasc Paint shop pro/Microsoft picture it - please go easy as im really only using MS picture it!

Nope, sorry! But it is easier sometimes to put a piece of colored paper behind the object your scanning...like blue or green (depending on the color of your object). It should be quite simple in Photoshop. Just use your magic wand to select your background color and delete. You may need to use your eraser up the edges.