Question 1

What is AI card grading?

Accepted Answer

AI card grading uses computer vision technology to analyze trading cards and predict what grade they would receive from professional grading companies. CardGrade.io's CGI Vision AI examines 47 inspection points including centering, corners, edges, and surface condition to deliver AI grade predictions that mirror how PSA, BGS & CGC grade.

Question 2

How does CardGrade.io predict grades?

Accepted Answer

CGI Vision AI analyzes your card photo across 47 inspection points, evaluating centering measurements, corner sharpness, edge uniformity, and surface condition. The AI compares these findings against our database of thousands of card images to predict your grade for PSA, BGS, or CGC.

Question 3

What's the difference between AI grading and traditional grading?

Accepted Answer

Traditional grading requires sending your physical card to a grading company, waiting weeks or months, and paying $15 to hundreds of dollars per card. AI grading with CardGrade.io gives you a preview of your potential grade in 60 seconds for a fraction of the cost, helping you decide which cards are worth submitting.

Question 4

How accurate is AI card grading?

Accepted Answer

CGI Vision AI delivers AI grade predictions that mirror how PSA, BGS & CGC grade, analyzing 47 inspection points across centering, corners, edges, and surface condition. Our predictions are based on analysis of thousands of card images across all major card types.

Question 5

What cards can I analyze?

Accepted Answer

CardGrade.io works with virtually all trading cards including Pokemon, sports cards (baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer), Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, and other TCG cards. Both modern and vintage cards are supported.

Question 6

Do I need special equipment to photograph cards?

Accepted Answer

No special equipment is needed. A smartphone camera works great. Our guided capture system provides real-time feedback to help you take the perfect photo. Just ensure good lighting, minimal glare, and that the entire card is visible with a small margin around the edges.

Question 7

Should I grade my cards before submitting to PSA or BGS?

Accepted Answer

Pre-screening with CardGrade.io helps you avoid wasting money on cards that won't grade well. At $20-$150+ per card for professional grading (plus shipping and insurance), knowing your card's likely grade beforehand can save hundreds of dollars and help you focus on your best cards.

Question 8

Is PSA grading worth the cost?

Accepted Answer

PSA grading is worth it for cards where a high grade significantly increases value. For example, a PSA 10 can be worth 5-10x more than a raw card. Use CardGrade.io to identify cards likely to achieve PSA 9 or 10 grades before paying for professional grading.

Question 9

How do I know if my card will get a PSA 10?

Accepted Answer

CardGrade.io's CGI Vision AI analyzes all four grading pillars (centering, corners, edges, surface) and provides a grade prediction with confidence scoring. Cards predicted at PSA 10 with high confidence have the best chance, but remember that grading involves some subjectivity.

Question 10

What grade do I need for my card to be valuable?

Accepted Answer

Generally, PSA 9 (Mint) and PSA 10 (Gem Mint) grades carry significant premiums. For vintage cards, even PSA 7-8 grades can be valuable. The value increase depends on the specific card, its scarcity, and market demand. CardGrade.io helps you identify which of your cards are worth submitting.

Question 11

How can I check my card's centering before grading?

Accepted Answer

CardGrade.io's centering analysis measures your card's borders with precision. For PSA 10, you typically need 60/40 or better centering. Our tool shows you exact measurements like "52/48 Left-Right, 55/45 Top-Bottom" so you know exactly where your card stands.

Question 12

What affects a card's final grade?

Accepted Answer

Professional graders evaluate four main categories, each worth 25% of the final grade: Centering (border alignment), Corners (sharpness and wear), Edges (smoothness and whitening), and Surface (scratches, print lines, and imperfections). CardGrade.io analyzes all four pillars.

Question 13

Does CardGrade.io work for Pokemon cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes! CardGrade.io supports all Pokemon cards including vintage WOTC era, modern sets, Japanese cards, and special releases. Our AI is trained on thousands of graded Pokemon cards and understands the specific characteristics of Pokemon card stock and printing.

Question 14

Can I analyze sports cards (baseball, basketball, football)?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. CardGrade.io supports all major sports cards including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer. We support cards from Topps, Panini, Upper Deck, Bowman, and all other major manufacturers across all eras.

Question 15

Do you support vintage cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes, CGI Vision AI is trained on vintage cards and understands the natural characteristics of older card stock. The AI accounts for expected aging, print registration variations, and other era-specific factors when predicting grades for vintage cards.

Question 16

What about Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!?

Accepted Answer

CardGrade.io fully supports Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and other TCG cards. Our AI understands the unique characteristics of different card games, including foil patterns, card stock variations, and manufacturer-specific quality standards.

Question 17

Are there special considerations for foil or holographic cards?

Accepted Answer

Foil and holographic cards can be trickier to photograph due to reflections. Our guided capture system helps you avoid glare. CGI Vision AI is specifically trained to analyze foil surfaces and can detect scratching and surface imperfections even on reflective cards.

Question 18

How much does CardGrade.io cost?

Accepted Answer

Plans start at $4.99/mo (Hobby, 10 credits). Other tiers: Starter ($9.99/mo, 25 credits), Pro ($24.99/mo, 80 credits), and Business ($74.99/mo, 300 credits). Annual plans save 20%. Credit packs are also available for one-time purchases. Cancel anytime.

Question 19

What is a credit?

Accepted Answer

One credit equals one card analysis. When you upload a card image, CGI Vision AI analyzes 47 inspection points and generates a complete grade prediction report. Credits are only consumed when analysis is complete—not if image quality issues prevent analysis.

Question 20

Do credits expire?

Accepted Answer

Monthly subscription credits reset each billing cycle (unused credits do not roll over). However, Credit Packs purchased separately never expire and can be used anytime—perfect for seasonal grading rushes or occasional use.

Question 21

What's the difference between subscription credits and credit packs?

Accepted Answer

Subscription credits come with your monthly plan and reset each billing period. Credit Packs are one-time purchases at bulk rates that never expire. Many users combine both: a subscription for regular use plus Credit Packs for busy periods.

Question 22

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Sign up, choose a plan, and your first month is charged immediately — your plan credits are ready to use right away. Cancel anytime from the billing portal. 2-grade credit-back guarantee.

Question 23

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

New subscriptions include a money-back guarantee for unused grades shortly after signup. Credit packs are one-time and non-refundable. See our Refund Policy for full details.

Question 24

Why did CardGrade charge my card?

Accepted Answer

That charge is your first month on the plan you chose — CardGrade charges immediately at signup rather than after a delay. If you have a question about a specific charge, contact us and we will sort it out.

Question 25

How long does analysis take?

Accepted Answer

The average analysis takes about 60 seconds from upload to complete report. CGI Vision AI processes your card image through 47 inspection points, compares against our grading database, and generates your grade prediction with confidence scoring.

Question 26

What image quality do I need?

Accepted Answer

For best results, use images at least 1000x1000 pixels with good lighting and minimal glare. The entire card should be visible with a small margin around the edges. Our guided capture system provides real-time feedback if adjustments are needed.

Question 27

Can I analyze both sides of a card?

Accepted Answer

Currently, CGI Vision AI analyzes the front of cards, where most grade-affecting condition factors are visible. Back analysis is on our roadmap and will be available in a future update for complete two-sided analysis.

Question 28

Do you offer an API?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a full REST API. It is available on Pro and Business plans, plus dedicated Developer API plans (Starter, Growth, and Scale at cardgrade.io/grading-api) built for higher volume. Integrate CardGrade analysis directly into your applications, inventory systems, marketplaces, or grading workflows. Full documentation is provided.

Question 29

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256). We're SOC 2 ready with full audit trails. Your card images and analysis data are never shared with third parties or used for purposes beyond providing your grading analysis.

Question 30

Do you offer team accounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Business plans include 3 team accounts, and Enterprise plans include unlimited team accounts. Each team member gets their own login while sharing a pooled credit balance. Team admins can manage permissions and view usage reports.

Question 31

Can I white-label the reports?

Accepted Answer

Custom branding is available on Business and Enterprise plans. You can add your logo, brand colors, and business information to the analysis reports—perfect for grading prep services, card shops, and marketplace sellers.

Question 32

What's included in Enterprise plans?

Accepted Answer

Our Business plan includes 300 credits per month at the best per-credit rate. For higher volume needs, contact our sales team at sales@cardgrade.io to discuss custom pricing.

Question 33

How do I contact sales?

Accepted Answer

For Enterprise inquiries, custom integrations, or high-volume needs, contact our sales team at sales@cardgrade.io or use the Contact page and select "Enterprise" as your topic. We aim to respond to Enterprise inquiries within a few business days.

Frequently asked questions

What is AI card grading?

How does CardGrade.io predict grades?

What's the difference between AI grading and traditional grading?

How accurate is AI card grading?

What cards can I analyze?

Do I need special equipment to photograph cards?

Should I grade my cards before submitting to PSA or BGS?

Is PSA grading worth the cost?

How do I know if my card will get a PSA 10?

What grade do I need for my card to be valuable?

How can I check my card's centering before grading?

What affects a card's final grade?

Does CardGrade.io work for Pokemon cards?

Can I analyze sports cards (baseball, basketball, football)?

Do you support vintage cards?

What about Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!?

Are there special considerations for foil or holographic cards?

How much does CardGrade.io cost?

What is a credit?

Do credits expire?

What's the difference between subscription credits and credit packs?

How do I get started?

Do you offer refunds?

Why did CardGrade charge my card?

How long does analysis take?

What image quality do I need?

Can I analyze both sides of a card?

Do you offer an API?

Is my data secure?

Do you offer team accounts?

Can I white-label the reports?

What's included in Enterprise plans?

How do I contact sales?

Still have questions?

Ready to try CGI Vision AI?

Frequently asked questions

What is AI card grading?

How does CardGrade.io predict grades?

What's the difference between AI grading and traditional grading?

How accurate is AI card grading?

What cards can I analyze?

Do I need special equipment to photograph cards?

Should I grade my cards before submitting to PSA or BGS?

Is PSA grading worth the cost?

How do I know if my card will get a PSA 10?

What grade do I need for my card to be valuable?

How can I check my card's centering before grading?

What affects a card's final grade?

Does CardGrade.io work for Pokemon cards?

Can I analyze sports cards (baseball, basketball, football)?

Do you support vintage cards?

What about Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!?

Are there special considerations for foil or holographic cards?

How much does CardGrade.io cost?

What is a credit?

Do credits expire?

What's the difference between subscription credits and credit packs?

How do I get started?

Do you offer refunds?

Why did CardGrade charge my card?

How long does analysis take?

What image quality do I need?

Can I analyze both sides of a card?

Do you offer an API?

Is my data secure?

Do you offer team accounts?

Can I white-label the reports?

What's included in Enterprise plans?

How do I contact sales?

Still have questions?

Ready to try CGI Vision AI?