Prerelease events are one of the most exciting times to scan Magic cards. You are opening a new set for the first time, evaluating pulls for your sealed pool, and everyone around you wants to know what they opened. Having an efficient scanning workflow lets you catalog your cards and check prices in minutes rather than manually searching for each card.

The key to fast prerelease scanning is preparation and a streamlined workflow. Before the event, make sure your scanner app is updated to support the new set. Most apps push set updates in the days leading up to a prerelease, though occasionally a brand-new set may not be fully supported until release day. Lotus Scan aims to have new sets available as early as possible, but it is worth confirming before you sit down to play.

When you open your packs, resist the urge to scan each card individually as you pull it. Instead, sort your cards into a face-up spread on the table. Group them by rarity if you want to prioritize scanning your rares and mythics first. Then use your scanner in continuous mode, moving from card to card in a steady rhythm. This approach is significantly faster than the open-scan-open-scan cycle.

Lighting at game stores can be inconsistent. If you are at a dimly lit table, position yourself near the best light source or use your phone's flash. Lotus Scan works in various lighting conditions, but brighter is always better for speed and accuracy. If the overhead lights at your LGS are fluorescent, be aware that some fluorescent lights flicker at a frequency that can interfere with phone cameras, so natural light or LED lighting is preferred.

For sealed pool building specifically, scan all your cards first and then review the results in the app to evaluate your pool. Seeing all your cards listed with mana costs and types in the app can help you spot synergies and build curves that you might miss when sorting physical cards alone.

After the event, take a few minutes to verify your scan results while the cards are still fresh in your mind. Prerelease promos and date-stamped cards sometimes scan differently than regular versions, so double-check those entries. This quick review ensures your collection records are accurate from the start rather than discovering errors weeks later.