What happens when you scan a card
Scanning feels instant, but a few steps happen in the background:
- The camera captures the card and the app locates its edges and orientation.
- Image recognition reads distinctive features — artwork, name, set symbol, collector number and rarity markings.
- The app matches those features against a database of known cards to find the exact print.
- It looks up that print's current market value and price history from marketplace data.
- It shows you the card details and value, and can add the card to your collection.
Why identifying the exact print matters
Many cards share the same name and artwork across dozens of prints, editions and rarities — and those can differ enormously in value. A reverse holo, a 1st Edition, an alternate art or an old-border printing can be worth many times a standard copy. That's why a good scanner reads the set symbol, collector number, rarity and edition, not just the character, so the price it shows is for your exact card.
What makes a scanner accurate
- A large, well-maintained card database covering many games and sets.
- Recognition that handles glare, angle, wear and similar-looking cards.
- Reading fine details — set symbols, numbers, rarity and edition marks.
- Continuously updated pricing tied to the specific print, with history and graded comparisons.
Riply combines multi-game recognition with continuously updated market data, so a scan returns the right card and a value you can trust, then lets you track it in a portfolio.