How to Photograph Your Cards for an Accurate AI Valuation
Why the photo matters as much as the card
An AI valuation reads condition, centering, corners, edges, and surface directly from your photos. Blurry, dim, or angled shots hide exactly the details that separate a near-mint card from a well-loved one, and that gap is often the difference between two very different valuations for the same card.
Lighting: even, natural, and glare-free
Shoot in daylight near a window, or under bright, even indoor lighting, never direct flash. Flash creates a glare spot that hides the surface and can wash out a graded label. Avoid shadows falling across the card from your hand or phone; if one corner is darker than the rest, reposition or add a second light source.
Angle and framing: flat, square, and filling the frame
Lay the card flat on a plain, non-reflective surface (a dark or neutral cloth works well against light-colored cards) and shoot straight down, not at an angle. An angled shot distorts corners and centering, which are two of the four things condition scoring depends on most. Fill the frame with the card so it isn't a small object in a big photo. Get close enough that corners and edges are sharp and readable, but don't crop so tight that you cut off part of the card.
Get both sides, and the back too
Front and back both matter: print defects, surface wear, and centering issues can show up on either side. For graded cards, include a clear photo of the label showing the grade and cert number. For memorabilia like signed jerseys or balls, photograph the signature closely enough to be legible, and include any certificate of authenticity if you have one.
One more pass before you submit
Before you submit, zoom in on your own photos and check: can you read the corners clearly? Is there any glare covering part of the surface? Is the card in focus edge to edge? A minute of double-checking here is the fastest way to get a valuation you can trust on the first try, instead of resubmitting with better photos later.