Anyone digitising a Magic collection faces the same hardware question: is a phone enough, is a document scanner worth it, or is a flatbed the safer choice? The answer depends on the cards, the device, and how many images you want to create in one sitting.
TCG Actana works with image files on Windows PCs and Apple Silicon Macs. Scans and phone photos therefore need to reach your computer before you can add them to a batch.
What makes an image useful
Whichever device you choose, keep the whole card in frame, the small print readable, and the lighting even. Glare, shadows, blur, and cropped edges can make similar editions harder to separate. You do not need an archival scan; you need a clear and complete view of the card.
The capture device does not remove the need for review. Similar printings can still require a choice in Actana, and you set condition and finish yourself.
Document scanner with a feeder: useful for repeated batches
A suitable automatic document feeder can save each card as a separate image file. Pair it with folder watching in Actana, and new files can enter the batch as the scanner creates them. How quickly and consistently this works depends on the scanner, its software, and the card stock.
The trade-off is mechanical contact. Rollers grip the card and pull it through the device. Some feeders can mark valuable or delicate cards, and many are not designed for sleeves or trading-card stock. Check the scanner manual and test the setup with inexpensive cards first.
Flatbed scanner: controlled handling
On a flatbed, the card rests on glass instead of passing through rollers. This avoids the mechanical feed and often provides even lighting. It can be a sensible choice when the condition of the card matters more than the number of images you create.
The drawback is handling time. Opening the lid and positioning cards takes longer than feeding individual cards through a suitable document scanner. Actana has an experimental multi-card workflow that can try to separate several cards placed on the glass. Keep the original image and check every separated result; the feature is still being tested.
Phone photos: flexible, with more variation
The camera already in your pocket may be enough for individual cards or small groups. Transfer the photos to your computer, then add them through the file picker or drag them into the scan area.
Binder and multi-card photos use the same experimental separation workflow as a multi-card flatbed scan. Reflections from sleeves, curved pages, and uneven camera angles make these images less predictable, so treat every separated card as something to verify rather than a finished result.
Use soft daylight instead of direct flash, keep the camera steady, and make sure all four card edges are visible. For a large loose stack, individual photography and file transfer may take more handling than a scanner workflow.
The comparison at a glance
| Criterion | Feeder scanner | Flatbed scanner | Phone photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repeated batch work | often convenient with a suitable feeder | more manual handling | practical for smaller groups |
| Card safety | depends strongly on the device | no mechanical feed | no mechanical feed |
| Image consistency | often consistent once configured | often consistent | depends on light and camera position |
| Connection to Actana | watched folder | watched folder or file import | file import after transfer |
| Typical use | replaceable bulk | valuable singles or small layouts | individual cards and experimental binder photos |
Choose by card, not by one universal rule
A mixed collection may benefit from more than one capture method:
- Use a feeder only for cards and stock the device can handle safely.
- Put delicate or valuable cards on a flatbed or photograph them individually.
- Treat binder pages as experimental multi-card input and review every result.
Whichever route you choose, the workflow in Actana stays the same: import the files, review uncertain results, set condition and finish, then add the cards to your collection. The guide to getting scans and photos into Actana covers the import step, while scanning Magic cards in bulk follows a complete batch.