Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: April 21, 2026
Everything you need to know about grading trading cards and authenticating autographs with ID Grader.
Is ID Grader free?
ID Grader is free to download and to create an account. You can browse public libraries and set up your own username at no cost. Card grades and signature validations are pay-per-scan — you purchase scan credits in bundles, and the larger the bundle, the cheaper each scan becomes.
Does ID Grader replace PSA, BGS, or SGC?
No. PSA, BGS, and SGC are grading services that encapsulate your card in a tamper-evident slab and assign an official grade. ID Grader is an instant AI pre-grade that helps you decide whether it is worth sending a card in, list it raw, or skip submission altogether.
How accurate is the AI grade?
ID Grader analyzes centering, corners, edges, and surface against an internally trained model calibrated on graded examples. Results are intended as directional guidance, and each scan returns a confidence signal so you know when the model is less certain.
What does ID Grader look at when grading a card?
It evaluates the same four sub-grades that major grading companies use — centering, corners, edges, and surface defects — and composes them into a final ID Grade on a 1 to 10 scale.
How does signature authentication work?
For signed cards, ID Grader compares the autograph against a library of verified exemplars for that signer and returns one of three verdicts: consistent, inconclusive, or inconsistent, along with a signer name when it can identify one.
Which trading cards does ID Grader support?
ID Grader works on any modern trading card with a clearly photographable front and back — including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and entertainment cards.
How do I grade a card with the app?
Open ID Grader, tap scan, take a front photo followed by a back photo, and the app returns a full grade breakdown plus any autograph verdict within seconds.
Is my card library private?
Yes. Scans are private by default. You can share your library publicly, share it with a specific collector by username, or keep it fully private. Your email is never revealed to viewers unless you turn on the optional contact-email toggle.
Can I hide a card from my public library?
Yes. Every scan has a public visibility toggle. Hidden cards remain in your private library but do not appear to anyone browsing your shared library.
How is ID Grader different from other card grading apps?
ID Grader combines instant AI grading, signature authentication with a signer library, a searchable personal collection, and privacy-first sharing — in a single free app that works on phone and web without mailing a card anywhere.
Does ID Grader work without internet?
No. The scan photos are processed on secure infrastructure for accuracy, so an internet connection is required.
Is there an iPhone version?
Yes. ID Grader runs on iPhone via the web app — sign in on intothedreamstudios.com and tap Add to Home Screen for a native-like experience.