First order tips?

Hey, welcome to the community! Glad you're looking for first order tips before diving in. Honestly, that list you've got covers the basics pretty well, but let me expand on it a little so you don't end up making some of the classic newbie mistakes. I've been around this scene for a bit, and I've seen people lose money or get burned because they skipped a few small steps.

First off, let me walk you through a typical ordering workflow. So after you've found a vendor and picked your IDs, the very first thing—and I can't stress this enough—is to thoroughly read their ordering instructions. Every vendor has their own way of doing things: different photo formats, file names, subject lines in the email. Ignoring that? Yeah, that's the number one reason orders get delayed or rejected. Next up, when you're taking your photo, don't just glance at the requirements—actually use a tool to check background color, head position, lighting. Even a slight shadow or a smirk can get your ID flagged. Once you're happy, use something like imgur or a temp file host to upload the image, but make sure you strip EXIF data first. Then, when you send payment, triple-check the wallet address if you're using Bitcoin—copy-paste it from their official page, never from a DM. After you send the funds, save the transaction ID. Then just wait. Most vendors give a QC preview within a few days, so don't panic if you don't hear back immediately.

Key terms you'll run into: BTC is Bitcoin—basically the safest way to pay because it's pseudo-anonymous and harder to trace than PayPal or credit cards. QC stands for quality control; that's when the vendor sends you a photo of the finished ID before shipping. Template is the base design for a state's license that vendors use. Backing refers to the layers and materials inside the card. And overprint is the printing on top of the laminate. Know these so you can understand vendor reviews and product descriptions.

Here's a safety checklist that goes beyond just payment method: use a VPN when visiting vendor sites and checking out—preferably one that doesn't keep logs. Create a dedicated email address (like ProtonMail or Tutanota) just for ID orders. Never use your real name or home address for shipping unless the vendor explicitly requires it for signature delivery—most prefer a safe drop address. When you get the ID, use a UV light to check for UV features and a jeweler's loupe to inspect microprint. If something looks off, don't post about it publicly until the vendor has a chance to fix it.

Common mistakes I see way too often: rushing the vendor with "where's my stuff" messages after just 24 hours. These are small operations—give it 2-3 weeks internationally. Another big one is using a credit card or PayPal for new vendors. Don't do it. Stick to BTC or other crypto. Also, ordering only a single ID is risky; what if it gets lost in the mail or seized? Ordering duplicates (two of the same) gives you a backup. And finally, some newbies try to photoshop their own photo to fix the background or lighting, which can mess up the dimensions. Just follow the vendor's photo guide exactly and don't edit anything beyond cropping to the specified ratio.

Start slow, read the wiki, and you'll be fine. Feel free to ask more specific questions if you get stuck.

Good advice, thank you! Will definitely get duplicates

Also make sure your signature looks natural. I used a drawing tablet for mine and it came out perfect.