Make a Fake ID

Want to make a novelty fake ID for a humorous gift? Read this article to learn how to make a convincing, fake driver's license or state identification card.

10 Second Summary

  1. Scan both sides of an ID into your computer.
  2. Open the scan in an editing program.
  3. Replace the photo with a new one. Keep the size and resolution.
  4. Change the text fields. Try to use a similar font.
  5. Print both sides of the scan on heavy cardstock.
  6. Cut and glue the scans together.
  7. Laminate the paper ID.
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Steps

Quick Method

  1. Scan an ID into your computer or printer. Make sure to get the front and back, and note any holographic elements.
  2. Open your scan in an image editing program. Photoshop would be ideal for this, but you can also use free programs like GIMP and Paint.net.
  3. Insert the new photo. Try to get a photo that's roughly the same resolution and size as the one on the valid ID.
    • Zoom in or out of the new photo so that the head will be about the same size as in the original photo.
    • You can also adjust the contrast and brightness to match the original photo. As long as the new pic isn't too bright or too dark, you're probably fine.
  4. Change the text fields. Try to find a font that's close to the one on the current ID. (Courier, with slab serif, was used on a lot of older licenses.) Also, adjust the font size and spacing so that it matches as closely as possible.
    • Enter a full name, without abbreviations. The only instance in which you might use an abbreviation is for things like "Albert Smith Jr." or "Thomas Jones III."
    • Put in a realistic birth date. If you're using a particularly old ID as a template, you don't want to keep it so that it says the new person was born in 1951 but looks 20.
    • Match the hair and eye color fields to the photo. See below for a list of abbreviations.
  5. Print out your new ID on heavy cardstock. Be sure to print both the front and back.
  6. Cut out each side of the new ID.
  7. Glue the two sides together so they form a card. Trim any overlapping edges.
  8. Add any holograms (optional). If you'd like to add an extra layer of authenticity to the ID, you can add a hologram. See the Making Your Own Hologram section below for more help, and be sure you do it before you laminate the ID.
  9. Laminate the paper ID. Trim the laminate so it's about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from the edge of the paper.

Professional Method

  1. Gather your supplies. There are a few choices between materials, so it is important to be familiar with the method below before acquiring your supplies so that you have the correct materials to work with your home printer. Here's a basic list of what you'll need:
    • Teslin paper
    • Butterfly laminate pouches
    • A pouch laminator
    • An encoder to encode the magnetic strip on the pouch (optional)
  2. Find an ID template. You can search for templates by state or province. They'll help you make sure you're making a product that's as realistic as possible.
    • Search a Peer-2-Peer (p2p) network such as BitTorrent to find a template.
  3. Download an editing program to alter your template. By using Adobe Photoshop or Macromedia Fireworks - or a free program like GIMP - you should easily be able to edit the templates. (Adobe Photoshop is the most common photo-editing software program used today, but can be expensive to purchase; however, a free, full-featured trial version is available on Adobe's website.)
  4. Change the text fields. Most standard IDs use the font 'Arial' that comes with Windows. If you prefer to use specialty fonts that do not come with Windows (such as a font for signatures), you can see how to download and install them by reading this article: How to Install Fonts on Your PC.
  5. Edit the eye and hair color fields. Here are the standard three-letter listings for eye and hair color used in the United States:
    • Eye color:
      • BLK - Black
      • GRY - Gray
      • MAR - Maroon (usually used for albinism)
      • BLU - Blue
      • GR – Green
      • PNK - Pink
      • BRO – Brown
      • HZL - Hazel
      • MUL – Multicolor
    • Hair color:
      • BAL – Bald
      • BRO – Brown
      • SDY - Sandy
      • BLK - Black
      • GRY - Gray
      • WHI - White
      • BLN – Blonde
      • RED – Red
  6. Add restriction/endorsement codes. Some are rarely used but others, like restriction code B, are quite common. Here are a list of some of the more popular codes in the US:
    • Restriction codes:
      • A - No restriction
      • B - Corrective lenses
      • C - Mechanical aids
      • D - Business only
      • G - Daylight only
      • H - Employer's vehicle only
      • J - Prosthetic aid
      • Q - No passengers
      • R - Motorcycles 500 cc and under
      • S - To and from school
      • T - To and from medical
      • U - All motorcycles except Class X
      • 2 - Personal vehicles only
    • Endorsement codes:
      • M - Motorcycle endorsement for any motorcycle regardless of engine displacement.
      • P - Passenger vehicles designed to carry 16 or more persons, including the driver.
      • T - Double/triple trailers allowed.
      • Y - Farm endorsement (Class A).
  7. Scan in the photo and signature image files. The signature on your ID might not get much attention, but the photo definitely will. Consider these guidelines:
    • If you take your own photo, try to do it against a blank background in bright or neutral lighting, and keep the frame focused around your face. You shouldn't be able to see your shoulders in the photo.
    • Use your passport photo. If you've taken a picture for a US passport, you can try using that for your fake ID. After scanning the passport photo into the computer, the person's face will need to be separated from the background so it flows seamlessly with your ID card template. #**Programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Fireworks or GIMP, provide you with an image editing tool called "Magic Wand". This tool will allow you to click a color in the image and it will select all surrounding colors that are similar or the same. There will be a slider that will allow you to select the amount of variance from the color you select. The higher the variance, the more of the image that will be selected.
      • Once the background is nearly fully selected without containing any of the person's face, press 'Delete' on your keyboard to erase it. You can then magnify the image and use the eraser tool to clean up around the person's face. At this point, zoom out and copy the image. It can be pasted onto your ID card template. It will then flow seamlessly into your template design and you can choose any background color you want!
  8. Add a barcode. The unusual-looking scrambled barcode on the back of most driver’s licenses is known as a PDF417 barcode. This barcode contains most of the information contained on the front of the license. By editing this readout, you can encode your information into this barcode. You can generate these barcodes by finding a free PDF417 generator online.
  9. Add a magnetic stripe. If your license requires a magnetic stripe and you want it to be scannable, it can be encoded with an encoder. Generally these are very expensive and are difficult to find. Search online for discount suppliers if you like.
    • There are two types of magnetic stripes, HiCo and LoCo. HiCo and LoCo differ in that HiCo are much more difficult to demagnetize. The encoders for these typically were much more expensive than for LoCo. Most HiCo encoders encode LoCo stripes as well.
    • The best way to program the stripe is to decode a working driver’s license, edit the data, and then program it back onto the stripe. Encode the magnetic stripe after the card is finished.
  10. Buy synthetic paper. There are two types of synthetic paper that are nearly the same. Teslin and Artisyn paper are single layer, silica-filled, polyolefin printing substrate with unique microporous and temperature resistance features that make it the product of choice for laminated ID badges.
    • Teslin is more expensive than Artisyn and much less versatile.
    • If you want to use a desktop inkjet printer, you will achieve better results with Artisyn or Artisyn NanoExtreme synthetic paper. Printing on Teslin with an inkjet does not work well and tends to look grainy and smeared.
    • The Artisyn and Artisyn NanoExtreme papers are coated with chemicals to absorb the ink effectively. They are cheaper than Teslin, and work well with all types of printers including inkjet and laser printers. It also tends to produce better print-quality results.
    • Both types can be found from sources online. Arcadia also sells perforated sheets that punch out in the size of the ID cards.
  11. Select your printer. The preferred method is to use a pigmented-based inkjet printer like an Epson printer with DuraBrite ink. This tends to produce incredible results and works well with Teslin, even though it is not a laser printer.
    • If a pigmented ink printer is not available, a laser printer will give you a good result. Laser printers produce sharp and clear images, but the ink tends to look waxy.
    • Any dye-based inkjet printer will work fine. A dye-based inkjet printer is that standard color printer that most people have in their homes. Again, if you use dye-based inks, make sure to use Artisyn. You should print on the highest quality photo settings.
  12. Print the ID. Print on one sheet of paper, both front and back.
  13. Cut out the ID. If you are using microperforated Artisyn, you can skip this step. Otherwise, start by cutting out the ID from the paper. Tracing the dimensions of the ID using a butterfly pouch is generally helpful. A paper cutter or X-Acto knife is also helpful.
  14. Locate a laminator. You must use thermal laminating in order to bond the butterfly pouch to the synthetic paper. Once laminated, the card will harden and resemble a PVC card. You must use a thermal (heat) pouch laminator.
    • Avery, Arcadia EasyIDea, or GBC are common manufacturers.
    • If you can't afford a laminator then you can use a standard home iron. This is a little more tricky as you have to make sure the iron doesn't get so hot that it melts the laminate plastic, but is still hot enough to bond the laminate to your ID. Also be sure the iron does not have any water loaded into it, as this could damage the ink on the pre-laminated ID and the steam could warp the ID card. It is recommended, when using an iron, to cover the card with a towel or t-shirt, or paper bag, so that the plastic does not melt to the iron.
  15. Laminate the ID. Place the insert into the butterfly pouch. You must place the card into a carrier. Run the carrier through the laminator.
    • Immediately following lamination, it is helpful to place the card under something flat like a book so that it cools flat.
  16. Apply a hologram. Generally, it is acceptable to use a generic hologram. Very few people actually examine the hologram and read what it says on it. If you’re concerned about making something that looks truly authentic, there are other methods to replicate holograms.
    • The Shield and Key hologram is the most commonly used generic hologram and is a transparent rainbow hologram. This means that it looks transparent when looked at directly but when tilted to the sides the hologram lets off a rainbow spectrum. This type of hologram is pretty much impossible to duplicate using the Pearl-Ex method below.
    • Make your own hologram (optional). See the method below for making your own hologram.
  17. Add finishing touches. It is recommended that you sand the edges of the hologram with a very fine grit sandpaper. This removes the jagged edges of the synthetic paper.
    • To give the ID a more worn look, you can lightly sand the front and back of it.

Making Your Own Hologram

  1. Make your own binary hologram (optional). The gold holograms on many ID cards are called binary holograms. These holograms can be easily reproduced using Pearl-Ex paint and Photo-EZ paper.
  2. Make a stencil. This product is for making stencils. A stencil is basically the outline of a picture with the negative part missing.
    • Scan the hologram off your ID, then convert it to an all-black image.
    • Print the image on a transparency. A transparency is a transparent sheet of plastic meant for inkjet printers or lasers.
    • Take the transparency and tape it to the Photo-EZ.
    • Put it out in the sun and all the areas of the material not covered by the black negative of the holo will cure. When washed, the part covered by the negative washes away, leaving you with your stencil. You will want to order the high resolution material.
    • Paint the hologram. As for the painting material, the two main ones are Interference Gold (Fine) made by Golden Acrylics and Perl-Ex Duotone. The latter of the materials work best because it reflects two colors of the spectrum.
    • Perl-Ex comes as a powder and preparation is needed.
    • These paints are transparent when viewed from straight on. When viewed from different angles you see different colors depending on the particular colors of the paint.
    • Perl-Ex comes in Duo Red-Blue, Duo Blue-Green, and Duo Green-Yellow.
    • You have to buy a Transparent Base made for paints to prepare the Perl-Ex. A good one is Speedball Transparent Base. You mix in a 1:50 ratio: one part per-50 parts base. If you are using Golden acrylics then you use a 5:1 ratio: five parts paint to one part base.
    • When applying the paint in the stencil, you should use, if possible, one of those brushes made for screen printing. It looks like a pencil but has a flexible tip. A sponge can be used but extra care needs to be taken when applying. You want to apply a very thin amount, and practice will be needed to get it right.
  3. Make a multicolored hologram. On a lot of the new IDs there is a multicolored hologram that reflects the full spectrum (like a rainbow). This is especially true of most of the Canadian IDs.
    • Pick the two most dominant colors and buy the matching Perl Ex colors. This will be good enough to reproduce the holo.
    • The holo can be put directly on the finished ID or before lamination on the inside of the pouch. If you choice is the inside, then remember to put it in the reverse.

Tips

  • If your ID is "hot off the press", remember to change clothes before using it.
  • Try putting your ID in your wallet for a week or so to "break it in" before using it. An ID hot off the press may look suspicious.
  • Holograms may be used for an added layer of authenticity.
  • These instructions were to make a 30 mil drivers license that resembles a PVC card. If you want to make something thinner that bends corner to corner like some ID cards, you can remove the front part of the butterfly pouch and simply laminate the back of the pouch with the synthetic paper. Many machines use this method, but it can be accomplished manually. You can also replicate signature strips by scratching the surface of the butterfly pouch with sandpaper.
  • Remember not to flash it around too much or you may end up getting in trouble!
  • Act confident when using your fake ID, as though you have used it many times before.

Warnings

  • Obtaining a fake ID to buy alcohol may lead to alcoholism, which is no fun at all, and can completely ruin your mind, health and life.
  • Be warned that in Illinois merely possessing a fake ID is a Class 4 felony. [1]
  • In most jurisdictions, it is illegal to:
    • Forge an ID card.
    • Present a fake ID card for the purposes of circumventing the law.
    • Hold yourself out as an authority that you are not in.

Things You'll Need

  • A color printer (modern cheap printers work great on Teslin paper)
  • Computer
  • Fine sandpaper
  • Holograms (optional)
  • Heat pouch laminator
  • Digital camera or passport picture
  • Adobe Photoshop or similar image editing software (a free trial version is available on Adobe's website)
  • MSR606 magnetic strip encoder (optional, but recommended)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/unit-5-fake-id-cards-180284131.html
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