Optical fidelity
Observe how much the protection preserves or alters the colors, contrast, detail and readability of the artwork.
A BRANCH OF LUMINA FOIL INDEX
LFI Protected
To study how protection systems influence the optical behavior, readability, and viewing experience of trading cards.
LFI Protected applies the Lumina Foil Index protocol to cards viewed through sleeves, binders, toploaders, one-touch, slabs and other preservation systems.
The goal is not to establish which protection is better overall, but to document in a comparable way how each material modifies reflections, contrast, color cast, sharpness and foil activation.
Protect the card. Observe what changes.
Research series in development · Launching 2026
WHY PROTECTED
Protection also changes perception
Materials, surfaces, and reflections intertwine between the paper and the eye. LFI Protected makes these transformations visible.
Light behaviour
Analyze reflections, glare, foil activation, and dynamic response across different protective layers.
Viewing experience
Document how the perception of paper changes during display, consultation, archiving and grading.
SYSTEMS OBSERVED
From raw card to slab
The same card can be analyzed in multiple configurations to isolate the effect produced by each protection system.
Raw Card
Reference state with no protective layer in between.
Perfect Fit
Close-fitting protection with minimal distance from the surface.
Sleeve
Standard or premium protection with a glossy or matte finish.
Toploader
Rigid structure with additional reflective surfaces.
Binder
Viewing through protective pages and pockets.
One Touch
Rigid magnetic holder for display and preservation.
Slab
Professional encapsulation with its own reflections and glare.
Combined Layers
Combined configurations used to observe cumulative effects.
DOCUMENTED VARIABLES
What the comparison measures
Optical Fidelity
Visual fidelityPreservation of colour, detail, contrast and perceived depth.
Reflection
ReflectionsIntensity and distribution of reflections generated by the material.
Glare
GlarePresence of bright areas that reduce readability and visual continuity.
Color Shift
Colour castColour variations introduced by plastics, treatments or viewing angles.
Foil Activation
ActivationAbility of the foil surface to react to light through the protection.
Surface Readability
ReadabilityClarity with which textures, patterns, imperfections and details remain visible.
LFI PROTECTED WORKFLOW
A comparison designed to isolate the variable
Reference card
Acquisition of the card without protection.
Protected configuration
Placement inside the system being observed.
LFI acquisition
The same controlled light, perspective and movement.
Comparison
Reading the differences introduced by the protection.
Documentation
Visual results archived and made accessible.
OPEN RESEARCH
A neutral protocol, not a commercial ranking
LFI Protected documents observable effects without replacing laboratory tests, conservation certifications, or construction quality assessments.
Accessory manufacturers
Sleeves, binders, holders and protective materials can be observed through a comparable visual language.
Grading companies
Slabs can be documented as part of the visual experience of the already graded paper.
Museums and archives
The protocol can support activities of exhibition, consultation and digital preservation of optical behaviour.
DIGITAL TWIN CONNECTION
From physical protection to its digital representation
In the Digital Twin Engine, the slab can be displayed as a separate layer, with reflections that can be activated or removed. LFI Protected will provide the visual context to distinguish the map from the system containing it.
Planned connection · Engine v1.0
PROTECTION & PERCEPTION
The protector preserves the paper.
LFI Protected documents how it is experienced.
Each protective layer alters the path of light before it reaches the eye or the camera. Making this transformation visible means preserving not only the object, but also the experience of it.
