Scanning a Pokémon card binder page by page: method and measured results
The short answer
Yes, you can scan a Pokémon binder page by page: one photo covers every card on the page. In our test on 45 real pages, FastScan TCG counted 397 cards out of 397 after a fix, on one set and in one session. That is encouraging, but it is not a general score. Binder mode is free, with no scan limit.
A binder has one advantage over a loose pile: the cards are already lined up. It also has a drawback: taking them out one by one to scan takes time and adds wear. Scanning the whole page avoids both, as long as you know what a photo can really do.
The method, in five moves
- Pick Binder mode on the FastScan TCG scan screen.
- Lay the binder flat, with the page you want on one side if you can. The screen shows a page frame: only cards whose centre is inside the frame count, which rules out the facing page.
- Frame the whole page, keeping the phone parallel to the sheet. If the cards are too small in the photo, the app suggests moving closer.
- Take the photo, then go to the next page without waiting. Only the shot itself blocks the button: pages are read in order, with up to 8 waiting.
- Watch the counter. A large number shows how many cards were seen on each page. If you can see 9 and it says 8, take the photo again.
Empty pockets are ignored. Cards already present are compared with the collection you are adding to and are not added a second time, unless you turned on the duplicates setting.
What we measured
We photographed real binder pages, then read those photos back on iPhone.
| Measure | Result | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Cards counted | 397 out of 397 after a code fix | 45 pages, Obsidian Flames, shot at 48 MP on iPhone Air, read back at 12 MP on iPhone 13 |
| Names checked by eye | 163 photos: no wrong card without a question, 6 questions with a wrong card on top | Check done before that fix, from the same session |
| Reading time per page | 2.7 s | Separate test: 11 pages, 97 cards, iPhone 13 Pro Max at 12 MP |
In 5 of the 6 cases with a wrong card on top, a digit had been misread (062 read as 052) and the right card came second. On those 163 photos, no wrong card was kept without a question.
What these figures don’t say
It would be easy to write “100%” and stop there. It would also be wrong.
- 397 out of 397 is a card count. It says the app missed no card on those pages. It doesn’t say that every card was identified for certain.
- One set, one session. The photos are sharp and well lit.
- No 12-card pages, no old cards. Those cases are still to be measured.
- Numbers and sets were not checked one by one in the check by eye, which looks at the name.
All of it is on our method page, which we will update with each new measurement.
How to take better photos
- Avoid direct light above the binder: that is what creates glare on sleeves.
- Keep the phone parallel to the page: the more slanted the photo, the more the cards near the edge are distorted.
- Fill the frame: the text at the bottom of the cards must stay readable, as that is where the number is.
- Set very shiny cards aside if they stay unreadable, and scan them in Manual mode (which mode to pick).
Page scanning elsewhere
Other apps can scan a 9-pocket page in one go. According to their App Store listings, DittoDex includes it in its Pro plan and Pooka in its Shiny plan. We have not tested them. You can compare their terms in our overview of the apps.
FastScan TCG differs on two points: Binder mode is free, and it asks a question when it is unsure.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards can one photo scan?
Our test covers 9-pocket pages. Pages of 12 cards have not been tested with real cards yet, so treat them as unproven for now.
Do binder sleeves get in the way?
They add glare, which is the main difficulty with a photographed page. Tilt the phone or the light slightly until it goes away. Our test was run in good conditions, sharp and well lit, and does not measure pages with heavy glare.
Does binder mode detect reverse holos?
No. You pick Normal or Reverse Holo by hand, with the photo of the card in view, as in the other modes.
Are my binder photos sent anywhere?
No. The app doesn't send your photos, and they are deleted when you add or remove the card.
Do you have to pay to scan a binder?
Not in FastScan TCG, which is free with no scan limit. Several apps also offer page scanning but keep it for a paid plan, such as DittoDex or Pooka as of this article's date.