Lotus ScanBest MTG Scanner for Prerelease Promo Cards Cards
Learn why Prerelease Promo Cards cards are challenging to scan and how to get the best results with the right app.
Prerelease promo cards are special foil versions of cards distributed at Magic: The Gathering prerelease events, distinguished from regular printings by a date stamp embossed on the card face. Every set since Return to Ravnica has featured prerelease promos, and these date-stamped foils occupy a unique space in the collector market, sometimes commanding a premium over regular foils and sometimes trading at a discount depending on demand and supply dynamics. The challenge with scanning prerelease promos lies in the subtle nature of the date stamp, which is the only visual difference between a prerelease promo and a standard foil from the same set. Most scanning apps either ignore the date stamp entirely or misclassify the card as a regular set foil, resulting in incorrect pricing. Lotus Scan is trained to detect the embossed date stamp on prerelease promos, correctly categorizing them as a distinct printing with their own market price separate from both non-foil and regular foil versions of the same card.
Why Prerelease Promo Cards Cards Are Hard to Scan
How Lotus Scan Handles Prerelease Promo Cards Cards
Scan Prerelease Promo Cards Cards with Confidence
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Tips for Scanning Prerelease Promo Cards Cards
- 1When scanning prerelease promos, ensure the date stamp area on the card art is clearly visible and in focus. The stamp is typically located in the lower portion of the artwork.
- 2Use angled lighting to make the embossed date stamp more visible. A light source from the side can create shadows in the stamp impression, making it easier for both you and the scanner to see.
- 3If Lotus Scan returns a regular foil result for what you know is a prerelease promo, try rescanning with better lighting on the stamp area or manually flag the card as a prerelease variant.
- 4For older prerelease promos with unique artwork, such as those from the original Ravnica block, scan them as you would any other card since the distinct artwork makes identification straightforward.
- 5Keep your prerelease promos sorted separately from regular foils in your collection to avoid confusion when scanning and cataloging.