Signed Magic cards are prized by collectors, but the signature adds an element of visual noise that can challenge scanner apps. The good news is that most modern scanners, including Lotus Scan, can usually identify signed cards without issues, depending on where and how prominently the signature is placed.

The typical artist signature sits in the lower portion of the card art or along the bottom border. Since scanner apps analyze multiple features of the card including the artwork, frame, set symbol, mana cost, and text box, a signature in one area usually does not prevent identification. Lotus Scan's AI-based recognition is particularly resilient here because it does not depend on any single part of the card being perfectly clean. As long as enough visual information is unobstructed, the scanner can make a confident match.

Problems arise when signatures are very large, written in thick marker, or placed across critical identification areas like the card name or set symbol. Some artists are known for large, bold signatures that cover significant portions of the card face. In these cases, the scanner may return a lower confidence result or misidentify the card. If this happens, try scanning from a slightly different angle or distance, as sometimes changing the perspective reduces the visual impact of the signature.

It is important to note that no scanner app can verify the authenticity of a signature or assign a value premium for it being signed. A signed card may be worth more or less than an unsigned copy depending on the artist, the card's playability, and collector demand. The scanner will show the base market price for the unsigned version of the card, and any signature premium is something you will need to research separately.

For collectors cataloging signed cards, the best practice is to scan the card normally, let the app identify it, and then add a note or tag in your collection management indicating that the card is signed and by whom. Lotus Scan's collection features let you organize and annotate your cards, which is helpful for tracking which copies in your collection carry signatures. This way your digital inventory accurately reflects the unique attributes of your physical collection.