Good lighting and positioning make a big difference in scan accuracy. Follow these tips to get the best results.
Lighting
- Natural daylight is best. Sit near a window with indirect light
- Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh glare on glossy cards
- Bright indoor lighting works well. Aim for even, diffuse light
- Avoid scanning in dim rooms or under yellow-tinted bulbs
- If you have a desk lamp, angle it so it illuminates the card without creating a hotspot
Card positioning
- Hold the card flat and still and don't tilt it
- Fill the frame with the card. It shouldn't be tiny in the center of the photo
- Keep the card fully in frame since cut-off edges reduce accuracy significantly
- Place the card on a dark, plain surface for best contrast
- For slabbed (graded) cards, hold the slab so the card face is clearly visible and the grading label is readable
Camera tips
- Let your phone camera auto-focus before capturing and wait for it to sharpen
- If glare appears on a glossy card, tilt slightly (5-10 degrees) until it disappears
- Clean your camera lens before scanning, as fingerprints cause soft photos
- Hold your phone about 15-20cm (6-8 inches) from the card
Front + back for better results
If Cubbby can't find an exact match from the front, try adding a back photo too. The back often has the card number, set name, and other identifying details that help pin down the exact card.
Cards that are harder to scan
Some cards are naturally more challenging for AI identification:
- Pre-1980 vintage cards with less structured layouts
- Cards in thick top loaders, where reflections can obscure text
- Heavily damaged cards with missing text or altered surfaces
- Error cards and short prints that may not be in the catalog yet
For these, try adding manually by searching for the player name and year.