Pokemon Card Scanning Tips

Getting the Best Scan Results

Pokex uses AI-powered image recognition to identify your Pokemon cards and provide real-time market pricing. Follow these tips to get the most accurate and fastest results from every scan.

Lighting

Good lighting is the single most important factor for accurate scans. Natural daylight or a well-lit room works best. Avoid scanning in dim conditions or under harsh direct light that creates glare on holographic cards. If scanning holo or foil cards, angle the card slightly to reduce reflective glare while keeping the text and artwork visible.

Overhead diffused lighting (like a ceiling light with a shade) produces the most consistent results. Avoid scanning directly under a bare bulb or spotlight, which creates hot spots on foil surfaces.

Card Positioning

Hold the card flat and centered in the camera frame. The entire card should be visible, including all four corners and the set number at the bottom. Avoid cutting off any edges as the set symbol and card number are critical for accurate identification.

Keep the card parallel to the camera. Tilting the card too much creates perspective distortion that can interfere with text recognition. A flat surface (table or desk) works well for positioning cards consistently.

Background

Use a plain, dark background (black or dark gray works best). Avoid scanning on busy surfaces like patterned tablecloths, printed papers, or other cards. The contrast between the card and a dark background helps the AI isolate the card more effectively.

Scanning Speed

Pokex is designed for rapid scanning. Once you see the card highlighted in the viewfinder, the scan processes automatically. For bulk scanning sessions, have your cards pre-sorted and ready to flip through. You can scan a card every 2-3 seconds once you establish a rhythm.

Handling Difficult Cards

Holographic and Foil Cards

Tilt the card slightly (10-15 degrees) to reduce glare on the holographic surface. The goal is to have the card text and set information clearly visible even if some of the foil pattern is reflecting.

Very Old or Worn Cards

Cards with significant wear, fading, or damage may take slightly longer to identify. Ensure the card name and set symbol are as clear as possible in the frame. If the first scan does not identify correctly, try a different angle or lighting.

Foreign Language Cards

Pokex supports multiple languages. The scanner identifies the card regardless of language, pulling pricing data from the appropriate market. Ensure the card text is legible in the scan.

Graded Cards (Slabs)

You can scan cards inside grading slabs. Position the camera to capture the card inside the case while minimizing reflections from the acrylic surface. Angling the slab slightly helps reduce surface reflections.

Collection Scanning Workflow

For scanning an entire collection efficiently:

1. Sort cards by set before scanning. This speeds up the process since the AI has stronger context.
2. Stack cards face-up in a clean pile. Flip each card onto the scanning surface one at a time.
3. Scan in a well-lit area with a dark surface as your background.
4. Mark valuable finds as you go by placing them in a separate pile for closer examination.
5. Use the collection tracker to monitor set completion as you scan.

Making the Most of Your Scans

After scanning, take advantage of the full feature set:

• Price tracking: See how your card values change over time
• Set completion: Track progress toward completing any set
• Collection value: Get a total portfolio value for your entire collection
• Smart sorting: Filter and sort your scanned cards by value, set, rarity, or type