AI analysis
No black box: here is exactly what the model does, what it relies on, and where its limits are.
In short
GradeMate sends photos of the front and back to a vision model, together with the published scale of the grading company you selected. The model assesses each face separately on four criteria — centering, corners, edges, surface — then produces a combined grade, a per-face list of detected defects and a confidence level. The analysis only covers what is visible in the image: it does not detect chemical alteration, recuts, or defects that require raking light or magnification.
How an analysis runs
1. The images are sent
Front and back are attached to the request along with the target company's scale.
2. Each face is assessed
The model processes front and back separately, so a good front cannot mask a damaged back.
3. Grades are combined
The four criteria are aggregated into an overall grade, with identified defects and their estimated impact.
4. The result is validated
The response is checked against a strict schema. If it is incomplete or inconsistent, the analysis fails explicitly instead of showing an invented result.
What the analysis detects well
Margin ratios are directly measurable in the image: the most reliable criterion for automated analysis.
Soft corners, whitened edges and border chipping stand out clearly on a properly framed photo.
Sharp creases, deep scratches, stains, print defects and layer misregistration.
What it cannot do
No photo-based tool can. Better to say so plainly.
Some bends and micro-scratches only appear when tilting the card under a point source. A flat photo misses them.
Recuts, chemical cleaning, colour touch-ups: these require physical examination and specialised equipment.
Only an accredited company issues a grade and a sealed slab, and that is what the market values.
Frequently asked questions
Which photos give the best results?
Card flat on a plain contrasting background, diffuse indirect light (near a window without direct sun), camera parallel to the card, tight framing showing all four edges, and no glossy plastic sleeve adding reflections.
Why does the confidence level vary?
It reflects how much usable information the image carries: sharpness, lighting, glare, angle. A blurry or highly reflective photo mechanically lowers confidence, and the report then recommends human review.
What happens if the analysis fails?
It tells you. The previous version of this tool displayed a generic fallback result on failure, which gave a false impression of reliability. Failures are now reported as failures, and are not counted against your quota.