Give this a go:Gimp can create a 1 bit - black/white image.
It needs to be converted to indexed mode Image -> Mode -> Indexed
Then check the 'Use black and white (1 bit) palette
You can then export the image as a gif or as a png
How to prove it is 1 bit. Imagemagick command line will give the image properties or for a GUI XnViewMP as the screenshot.
I also recommend using a black backing sheet for any scanning. This will absorb any light that passes through the paper from being reflected back. The reflection is a problem because anything printed on the back of the page will also stop light from being reflected back, which causes what is on the far side to bleed through.
This will leave the only light reflected from the front of the paper and therefore only the ink on the front will stop that to render an image.
The reason for the white backing typically used is that on toner-based copiers a black border can cause the paper to stick to the fuser making for a paper jam. On most scanners you can tell the software to limit the area to be scanned so that no part of the black backing is directly recorded.