How to create ID cards?

MarkyMarkV

MarkyMarkV

Member
Hey guys,
I wrote a short script that I will be hopefully shooting in the next 2 weeks, but I have a problem: 2 major props of the film are 2 ID cards worn by the 2 protagonists. They're major because the characters swap ID cards and one writes something on the back, so I need to have a close-up of the ID card with the writing on the back.

Is there an easy DIY way to make custom ID cards? I don't want to just print out a piece of paper with the design on it and stick it in a laminated pouch to fake the card. Is there a way I could print out the design and maybe stick that onto an existing ID card I have but don't use anymore? Maybe you guys have other suggestions?

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Marky Mark.
 
Well, an awful lot of real ID cards are worn in laminated pouches/holders, so I think that would look fine. Print on cardboard though, not paper. Trying to glue paper to plastic cards will probably look tacky close up.

But do check if any local companies print ID cards - you may be able to get a small run done at low cost.
 
Best bet would be to lay it out in word or photoshop and print on card stock. Then go to your local office store and ask for cold press laminating pouches. Something along the lines of business card or a little bigger. With cold press you can use just about anything including your moms rolling pin to seal it. Then slide that into a lanyard style pouch. If its military ID type stuff they make you take it out of the lanyard pouch to check it anyway, so you just need a simple clear cover to go over the ID to make it look more official. If its hospital type ID then you would want the thicker 10mil cold laminating pouch and a die cutter to make the slot. Office store should have the pouch. Craft store will have the die cutter.
 
Digital printing services have been able to print on plastic card stock for some time now. I believe the Indigo press does this, and indigo shops usually have dies to trim the rounded corner plastic cards. You could get several on one sheet. Your cost-per may be pricey, but you may be able to get a dozen or so for under a hundred bucks (been a while since I've done this but I did print out credit card heroes a few years ago). There may be web-order services if you want short-run plastic card printing- that's the term to start googling.
 
Sorry for the late replies. Thank you for all of yours!

So to clarify, a cold press laminating pouch isn't a lanyard pouch? It's just 2 pieces of slightly tacky/adhesive plastic-stuff that you press onto the printed paper? I think I like that route the best, CPM Camera Rigs.
Basically it'd just be:
1. Print out design.
2. Cut out design.
3. Cold-press laminate it.
4. (Optional) Put in lanyard pouch?

Also, Michael Carter,
I'll start with googling that. I don't think I'd pay that much for ID cards. If that was my only option left, I would just rewrite the script to not include ID cards.

Thanks for your suggestions!
 
MarkyMarkV said:
So to clarify, a cold press laminating pouch isn't a lanyard pouch?
Click to expand...

They're not exactly the same thing, but do look pretty similar. Laminating pouches vary wildly - I'm sure i have seen some that are card-sized - but in practice most laminating shops just use whatever sized pouches they happen to have in stock, as most customers don't care about excess plastic 'frame' on the results as it's just cut off later anyway. A lanyard pouch on the other hand is not designed to go through a laminator at all, but is hopefully stronger plastic that won't tear from the lanyard.

Definitely worth talking to your local laminating shop - there are a lot of similar-but-not-identical products out there.
 
Over the years I have lost a couple of ID badges from a local hospital. In each case they were able to create a new one for me in a few minutes and deactivate the old one. Might be worth seeing if you or anyone else in cast or crew works somewhere that could print you two (inactive) ID cards if you asked nicely
 
I was involved in production of 30 Rock. We have our ID badges made on www.easyidcard.com .
They print in High definition on plastic cards, cc format and very easy DIY online creator.
We were ordering for last 3 seasons and I honestly can recommend them.
Be forthcoming and explain what do you want as they wouldn't produce any fakes.

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Photo ID Badges
 
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