Capture, Batches, Cards & Purchases — how they fit together

The lifecycle in one picture

Every card in CardZen follows the same loop: Capture brings it in, a Batch holds it while you review, Cards is where it lives as inventory, and from there you list it and sell it.

Cards can enter from either end. Photograph cards you already have, or import purchases — each purchase creates its own batch, with its cards waiting as awaiting photos until the package arrives.

Either way, the purchase feeds in what you paid, so profit is real when the card sells.

• Capture → Batch (review) → Cards (inventory) → list → sell
• Purchase → purchase batch (awaiting photos) → capture on arrival → same review loop
• Cost links automatically when cards are captured into a purchase batch

Capture — how cards get in

Capture is the front door. Snap photos with the camera, drop in image files, or import a CSV. CardSense reads the card details (player, year, set, grade) automatically so you don't type them.

Batches — the group each capture session creates

Every capture session automatically creates a Batch, so a stack of cards you scanned together stays together. Batch Review is where you check and fix the AI-read details before the cards become real inventory.

Purchases create batches too — one batch per purchase, named from the order, holding its cards as awaiting photos until you photograph them. Review works the same either way.

Cards — your master inventory

Cards is every card across every batch, in one searchable list. This is where you view, edit, list, and track a card through its life — from draft to listed to sold.

Cards in this purchase — connect what you paid to what you own

Every purchase page lists the cards that came from it, each carrying a share of what you paid. That cost basis is what makes profit and ROI real when the card sells.

Cards captured into a purchase batch are connected automatically. Use Add card for anything bought outside a tracked purchase, and override any card's share when the even split is not right.

Batch vs Card vs Inventory