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Chapter 2

How Automated Card Grading Works (Step-by-Step)

Automated grading uses a repeatable pipeline designed to eliminate subjective human interpretation.

1. Imaging

The card is scanned using:

ultra-high-resolution cameras

controlled lighting

multi-angle capture

laser measurement (in AGS machines)

2. Pre-Processing

The system corrects:

perspective

skew

lighting

noise

3. Feature Extraction

AI identifies:

centering ratios

edges

corners

surface textures

defects

print lines

whitening

nicks & abrasions

4. Defect Classification

Each flaw is measured in:

size

depth

location

severity

5. Scoring

The system combines:

measurements

historical data

defect weights

proprietary grading logic

6. Output

You receive:

final grade

subgrades

heatmaps

defect list

scan report

population integration

This entire pipeline is consistent, auditable, and can be replayed, unlike human grading.