What background should I use to scan a card?
A dark or black, matte background, so Gradeon can find the card’s edge precisely. Avoid textures, patterns and shiny surfaces.
Resources
Feb 4, 2025
How to Take the Perfect Picture for Accurate Pre-Grading
To get the most accurate AI pre-grade with Gradeon, your scan matters. Use soft, diffused light, a dark matte background and the in-app scanner to capture sharp, flat images with all four corners visible. The better the scan, the better Gradeon can read centering, corners, edges and surface.
By the Gradeon Team · Updated
Master the Scan: How to Take the Perfect Picture for Accurate Pre-Grading
When it comes to pre-grading your cards with Gradeon, the scan is everything.
It’s not just a photo—it’s the foundation our AI uses to detect centering, edge wear, surface flaws, and more.
A clean, clear scan means smarter, more accurate results. Here's how to do it right:
📸 Step 1: Prep Your Card
Before scanning, make sure your card is ready:
❌ Remove from sleeves and top loaders
🧼 Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth
✋ Handle only by the edges to avoid smudges
Pro Tip: For foil cards, move the light, not the card: keep the card flat and parallel to your phone, and shift the lamp until the glare disappears.
💡 Step 2: Set Up the Right Environment
Lighting Tips:
Use indirect daylight or a white LED lamp
Avoid overhead lights or flash
No shadows or reflections
Background Tips:
Use a dark or black, matte surface, so the card’s edge stands out
No textures or patterns
Ensure contrast between card and background
📱 Step 3: Scan with the Gradeon App
Don’t use your phone’s camera roll—use the built-in scanner in the Gradeon app.
It’s optimized for precision and guides you step by step.
✔ Keep the card flat and parallel to the camera
✔ Fill about 70–80% of the frame with the card
✔ Keep all four corners visible and sharp
✔ Hold the phone steady or rest it on a surface
🧠 What Our AI Looks For
The better the scan, the better our AI can detect:
Surface: scratches, dents, print lines and scuffing
Edges: whitening, fraying and nicks
Corners: soft, rounded or whitened tips
Centering: uneven borders, left to right and top to bottom
With a strong scan, you’ll get visual feedback on each issue directly in the results.
📂 Step 4: Save It to Your Collection
Once scanned, your card and its condition results are saved to your collection:
Track value and pre-grade history
Organize by TCG, set, rarity, or condition
Use insights to decide whether to grade, sell, or hold
📘 Want to Get Better?
Read the Gradeon glossary to learn the 11 defect types, what affects grades and how to spot flaws like a pro, even before the AI does.
✅ Final Tips
Use soft, diffused lighting
Shoot on a dark, matte background
Scan with the Gradeon app only
Make sure your card is flat, focused, and fully in frame
With the right scan, you unlock the full power of AI pre-grading—and make smarter choices for every card you own.
📲 Grade smarter. Collect better. Only with Gradeon.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
How do I avoid glare on holo cards?
Use soft, diffused light and move the light, not the card. Keep the card flat and parallel to your phone. Glare is the number-one cause of a wrong read on a phone photo.
Should I add detail shots?
Yes, even on a card that looks clean. Close-ups of corners, edges or surface show micro-defects a full-card photo can miss. Free scans allow 2 detail shots, Pro scans allow 8.