Illinois ID Review - Ordered from OldIronsidesFakes
Yeah, I grabbed an IL from OldIronsidesFakes a while back too, so I can definitely chime in here. I pretty much agree with OP — the color's a bit off, but unless you're really staring under normal lighting, it's hard to notice. I've taken mine to a few bars and a couple of liquor stores so far, no issues. Anyway, since we're doing a proper review, here's my breakdown.
Microprint accuracy: The microprint on the back around the ghost image? It's there, but don't expect it to be razor-sharp like a real IL. You can read the letters under a loupe, but the edges are a bit fuzzy compared to the real deal. Same with the "Land of Lincoln" text in the state outline — readable, but not crisp. I'd say it's fine for a quick glance or a bouncer who's not super anal about it. But if someone pulls out a loupe and really inspects it, they might call it out. Honestly, for most nightlife situations, it does the job.
UV response: Under blacklight, the state seal and the "ILLINOIS" text pop up nicely. Brightness is decent — not too dim, not blazing. Color's a pale yellowish-green, pretty close to the real thing. My only nitpick is the glow seems to fade just a fraction faster when you move the light away, but honestly, nobody's timing it. UV pattern matches the real layout — seal in the center, repeating text along the edges. No stray glow or weird patches, which is good.
OVI color-shifting: The big "IL" in the top right shifts from copper/gold to greenish depending on the angle. It's noticeable, but the transition isn't as smooth as real OVI — feels a bit more abrupt and the colors are slightly muted. In direct sunlight it looks decent, but under dim bar lighting it's harder to see the shift. Again though, most people just glance at it. The raised texture is there — you can feel it with a fingernail — but it's a tiny bit too raised compared to the real thing. Still passes the finger test though.
Card material feel: The card stock has the right weight and flex — not too flimsy, not too stiff. The laminate layer feels just a hint thicker than a real IL though. Side by side you'd notice, but on its own it feels right. Edges are smooth, no peeling, and the printing doesn't have that weird glossy sheen some fakes get. Texture is matte enough to match. Honestly, the hand-feel is probably the strongest point — passes the wallet test easily.
Overall score: So all together, I'd give it a 7.5 out of 10. The color being off and the microprint not being perfect hold it back from a 9 or 10. But for everyday use at bars and stores with crappy lighting and busy staff? It's more than enough. If you're planning on hitting a high-end club with serious bouncers and UV scanners, you might get a second look. But for standard nightlife, it's solid. Would I order another one? For the price and how easy it is to use, yeah probably. Just know the small flaws going in so you're not surprised.