Lotus ScanHow to Catalog a Large MTG Collection
A step-by-step guide to help you catalog a large mtg collection quickly and accurately.
Cataloging a large Magic collection - whether it's 5,000 or 50,000 cards - can feel overwhelming if you try to tackle it all at once. The trick is breaking the job into manageable sessions and using the right tools to speed up each one. A well-cataloged collection saves you hours every time you build a deck, make a trade, or decide what to sell. This guide covers a proven system for getting even massive collections fully digitized.
Step-by-Step Guide
Sort cards physically before scanning
Before you touch your phone, separate your cards into rough piles. Sort by set if you can identify them, or by color if not. This pre-sorting step dramatically reduces scanning errors because cards from the same set share visual patterns that help the scanner stay accurate.
Tip: Use set symbol guides online if you're not sure which set a card belongs to. The symbol is printed to the right of the card's type line.
Separate your rares and mythics first
Pull out cards with gold (rare) and orange-red (mythic rare) set symbols and scan those first. These are your most valuable cards and the most important to track. Getting them cataloged first means you have your high-value inventory documented even if you take a break from the rest.
Set up a comfortable scanning station
You'll be scanning for a while, so set up properly. Use a table with good overhead lighting, keep your phone charged or plugged in, and have a clear space to move cards from an "unscanned" pile to a "scanned" pile. A phone stand or propped-up case can reduce hand fatigue.
Tip: Scan in 30-45 minute sessions with breaks. Accuracy drops when your hands get tired and you start rushing.
Scan in batches using continuous mode
Use your app's continuous or rapid-scan mode to move through cards quickly. In Lotus Scan, you can scan one card after another without stopping - just slide each card into frame and the app captures it automatically. This is dramatically faster than tapping a button for every card.
Create organized collection groups
Don't dump every card into a single collection. Create groups like "Rares & Mythics," "Modern Staples," "Commander Cards," "Trade Stock," and "Bulk." This takes a little more time upfront but makes your digital collection actually usable for deck building and trading.
Do a spot-check review after each session
At the end of each scanning session, scroll through the last 20-30 cards you scanned and verify that the set and edition are correct. It's much easier to fix a handful of errors now than to discover problems months later when you're trying to find a specific card.
Tip: Pay special attention to cards that have been reprinted many times, like Lightning Bolt or Swords to Plowshares, since those are most likely to be matched to the wrong set.
Handle bulk commons and uncommons last
Bulk commons and uncommons are typically worth very little individually, so catalog them last. Some collectors choose to scan only one copy of each and note the quantity rather than scanning every duplicate. This is a reasonable shortcut for cards worth under 25 cents.
Make It Easier with Lotus Scan
Lotus Scan for iPhone simplifies this entire process with AI-powered card recognition, real-time price tracking, and intuitive collection management. Just point your camera and scan.
Pro Tips
- Estimate your total card count before starting so you can set realistic daily scanning goals. Most people can scan 300-500 cards per hour once they hit a rhythm.
- Keep a small "problem pile" for cards that won't scan correctly. Batch these at the end and add them manually rather than breaking your scanning flow.
- If you're cataloging a collection you just purchased or inherited, photograph the unsorted boxes first as a visual backup before you start reorganizing.
- Export your collection data to a CSV backup periodically. If anything goes wrong with the app, your data is safe.
- Consider recruiting a friend for large collections. One person flips cards while the other holds the phone - it nearly doubles your speed.