Front and back are required
Upload one complete front photo and one complete back photo. Both must show the full card and all four corners.
Capture standard
Better photos create better grade estimates.
CCA pre-grading is only as strong as the evidence in the images. Use original camera files, readable text, visible edges, and even lighting.
Use original high-resolution files
Do not upload screenshots, compressed marketplace images, or enlarged low-resolution files. 4K-ready images improve review confidence.
Remove sleeves and glare
Photograph the card outside sleeves or cases. Use soft, even light and avoid reflections over text, number, copyright line, or foil areas.
Add evidence views
For valuable cards, add edge, foil, texture, corner, and close-up detail photos. These views improve condition analysis and grade confidence.
Images that will be routed to recapture
Card too small in the frame
Critical text is blurry
Front and back appear mismatched
Screenshot or web image
Strong glare or shadow
Upscaled low-resolution file
Pre-grade a card
View sample report
Photo FAQ
Trading-card photo questions before a CCA check
Do I need front and back photos for a CCA report?
Yes. CardCheck.ai needs a complete front photo and a complete back photo so the report can compare identity cues, border wear, whitening, corners, edges, and front-back consistency.
Should I remove a card from its sleeve before photographing it?
Remove sleeves or cases when it is safe to do so because plastic glare can hide scratches, dents, whitening, and text. If removal could damage the card, use the clearest glare-free angle possible and add close-up evidence views.
Can marketplace screenshots be used for AI pre-grading?
Marketplace screenshots and compressed web images are poor evidence for pre-grading. Original camera files are preferred because they preserve detail needed for condition review and confidence scoring.
When should I add close-up or angled photos?
Add close-up or angled photos when a card is valuable, foil-heavy, textured, or likely to have corner, edge, dent, scratch, print-line, or surface-haze issues. These views help CardCheck.ai explain visible grade caps more conservatively.