Ohio vs Michigan for midwest use?

Go with OH. Template is solid right now and bouncers in IN see them all the time

So I've been thinking about this for a while now, especially since I spend a lot of time in the Midwest. I bounce between Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan pretty regularly. tbh, the original point is solid — Ohio is definitely way more common around here. If you're in Indiana, you'll see Ohio IDs all the time, especially near the border towns like Richmond or around Fort Wayne. People just don't blink at them. Michigan, on the other hand, is less frequent down here, so it naturally gets a little more attention when it pops up.

But beyond just "common vs rare," there are some real technical differences that matter when you're trying to decide which one to go with for Midwest use. I'll break it down from what I've seen handling both.

Take microprint accuracy, for example. Ohio's newer IDs have pretty solid microprint along the state seal and the "OHIO" header. It's fine, but honestly, on some older batches it's not razor-sharp. Michigan has microprint in the birthday line and around the bear silhouette — it's trickier to replicate well because it's very fine and layered. If you're looking at a rep, Ohio tends to have a higher success rate with microprint passing casual inspection, while Michigan's microprint can get blown if the template isn't spot-on. I've seen Michigan reps where the micro just looks like a blurry line up close, and that's a dead giveaway.

UV response is another thing. Ohio's UV is a simple "OHIO" in a curved pattern plus some star burst elements. It glows a pretty bright blueish-white under a standard blacklight. Not super complex, but the brightness matters — if it's too dim or too yellow, it's obvious. Michigan's UV is more involved: you've got the state outline, the "MICHIGAN" text, and some scenic elements like the Mackinac Bridge silhouette. The colors are softer, more pastel blue and green. Getting the brightness just right is harder for Michigan because you need multiple layers. Ohio is easier to pass under a quick UV check because it's just one clear blob of text.

Then there's OVI color-shifting. Ohio's OVI is around the "21" or birth date area — it shifts from green to gold. It's a pretty standard ink and most decent replicas get the shift close enough for a glance. Michigan's OVI is on the "MICHIGAN" lettering at the top. It shifts from copper to green, which is a little less common and easier to mess up. I've seen a lot of Michigan tries where the shift is weak or the colors are reversed. Honestly, Ohio is the safer bet here.

Card material feel is another thing to consider. Both states use Teslin-based material, but Michigan's card feels slightly thicker and more matte to the touch. Ohio's is a bit glossier and more flexible. A lot of places just feel for the stiffness and surface texture. Ohio's feel is more generic and less likely to raise suspicion if it's slightly off. Michigan's unique feel can actually work against you because if they're familiar with the genuine card, a rep will feel noticeably different — too plasticky or too flimsy.

So overall, for use in Indiana specifically, I'd lean toward Ohio. It blends in because everyone expects to see them. Michigan works better if you're up north where it's common, but down here it stands out both visually and tactilely. If I had to give scores purely for usability and stealth in the Midwest, I'd put Ohio at a solid 7.5/10 — it's not perfect but it's low-key. Michigan gets a 6/10 — it might look good on paper, but it draws more scrutiny and the details are harder to replicate consistently. Just my two cents from running around the region.