First time ordering - how good are these novelty IDs?

Welcome! I was in your shoes a few months ago, so no judgment on the noob question. Best thing I did was take my own photo at home before ordering — getting the lighting setup right avoids shadows and that washed-out look that gives cheap prints away.

Seriously, read the sticky first, it walks you through it step by step. The quality's better than you'd expect if you put in a little effort on your end.

Welcome! Honestly the quality blew me away compared to what I expected from a novelty item. Start by reading the sticky on taking ID photo at home — the lighting setup and shadows matter way more than you'd think for a clean result. Do that right and you'll get something solid on your first try.

+1 to checking reviews. I started here 6 months ago and the quality surprised me. The photoshop work and printing is solid from the recommended vendors.

I'd say start with a mid-tier vendor to test the waters. The quality from established sellers here is actually pretty impressive - good holograms, UV features, etc.

Just manage your expectations and remember these are novelty items.

Welcome! Quality varies by vendor but the top rated ones here do excellent work. Check the vendor reviews section first.

Most important is to order from someone with recent positive reviews. Don't just go for the cheapest option.