The white background requirement is one of the most frustrating limitations in MTG scanning. Many players want to scan cards during games at their LGS, at a trade table, or at home on a wooden desk or playmat. Requiring a white background means carrying a sheet of paper or having a specific scanning station, which is impractical for casual use.

ManaBox is the most prominent scanner that requires a white background. Without one, its scanner struggles to detect card edges and often fails to recognize cards entirely. This limitation is consistently mentioned in user reviews as one of ManaBox's biggest downsides. If you primarily scan at a desk with a white surface, this may not bother you, but for any other scenario it is a dealbreaker.

Lotus Scan is designed to work on any surface. The scanner detects card edges using the card's own frame and border rather than relying on contrast against a white background. This means you can scan on a black playmat, a wooden table, a trade binder page, or even holding the card in your hand. The recognition accuracy remains consistent regardless of what is behind the card.

Delver Lens and Dragon Shield also work without a white background, though both can occasionally struggle with very dark surfaces where the card border blends into the background. TCGPlayer's scanner does not specifically require white but is generally unreliable in any conditions.

The best practice for scanning without a white background is to ensure good lighting. When the background is dark, the camera needs adequate light to properly expose the card face. Natural daylight or a well-lit room works perfectly. Avoid scanning in dim conditions regardless of the background color, as low light is the actual enemy of reliable scanning, not background color.

If you frequently scan at events or game stores, Lotus Scan's background-agnostic scanning means you can check card prices and add trades to your collection in real time without any special setup.