My California experience so far - thoughts?

I use TX in Atlanta with no problems. Either works honestly

I've been keeping an eye on the TX template updates for a while, and I finally got my hands on the latest version. The original post is right—it looks really good now. Honestly, I was surprised at how much cleaner everything turned out compared to the older runs. The overall layout is sharp, and the spacing on the text fields feels a lot more natural. No more weird font compression or awkward kerning that used to plague some of the earlier batches.

As for microprint accuracy—on the newer update, the tiny "Texas" repeating text along the borders and on the back is actually legible under a loupe. It's not perfect, there's still a tiny bit of fuzziness if you really scrutinize it, but it passes the casual glance test and even a quick once-over from someone who knows what to look for. The state seal microtext around the edges is also much more defined. Earlier versions had it looking like a blurry line, but now you can make out the individual letters. Big improvement there.

The UV light response is pretty solid too. The UV layer has the correct color tones—it's a bright, almost neon greenish-blue under blacklight, which matches the genuine TX UV pattern. The brightness is solid, not too dim or washed out like some older templates I've seen. The state outline and the star pattern pop well, and the secondary UV elements (like the small border details) are present and consistent. No weird ghosting or uneven glow across the card surface, which is a common issue with cheaper reproductions.

The OVI color shift is decent. It shifts from copper/gold to greenish depending on the angle. It's not as dramatic as a real TX OVI—the genuine ones have a very distinct color jump—but tbh it's close enough that it's hard to call out unless you're comparing side by side with a known authentic card. The shift is smooth, not sudden, and the metallic sheen looks natural under direct light. The ink doesn't feel raised or overly thick, which helps with the overall tactile impression.

Honestly, card material feel is where I'm most impressed. The PVC blend they're using now has a good weight to it—not too flimsy, not too stiff. The surface texture is matte but with a slight slickness that mimics the real TX polycarbonate feel. It bends just slightly under pressure, but snaps back without creasing. The edges are cleanly cut, no rough spots, and the lamination layers seem well-bonded. The thickness is spot on—within the tolerance you'd expect from a standard DL card.

Overall, I'd give this updated TX template an 8 out of 10 tbh. It's a major step up from previous versions, and for most practical uses it'll hold up fine. The microprint still could be sharper, and the OVI needs a bit more contrast, but the UV and material feel are both well above average. If they keep refining these details, it's going to be one of the better state templates out there.

FL is more common in GA so it might get less scrutiny