Which state to choose? - advice needed

Totally agree with everyone here. Picking a different state than your own is the move. My advice for anyone getting started: read the sticky threads first, seriously. The info there saves you from posting a noob question that’s been asked a million times. Also, when you’re taking ID photo at home, make sure your signature background is clean and plain—a white wall works best. That was the one detail I almost botched, and it’s so simple to fix. Good luck!

Yeah, I'll second that—geographic distance is key. I also wanna emphasize the photo aspect, since that's where most new people mess up. Ditch the idea of a quick selfie; you need solid lighting setup shadows will kill it if they're all over your face. A bland wall and taking ID photo at home without any headgear is the way to go. Also, when getting started, read the sticky before you ask anything or type a noob question—it'll save you a day of waiting around. Simple advice, but it works.

Solid advice honestly. I'll echo it and add one thing: make sure it passes the "casual glance" test too. Meaning don't grab something super obscure that a bouncer has to google. Stick with common states in your region. Also, before you order anything, read the sticky and use the search bar. There's a step-by-step tutorial if you're just getting started, and honestly it saved me from a lot of headache. The lighting setup shadows can ruin a good sig card too.

Yo, welcome to the community. I see you're asking about which state to go with for your first ID. Honestly, the best advice I can give is what I did myself: pick a state that's NOT where you actually live. I went with a completely different state than my home state and never had a single issue. Let me break down why that works and how to do it right, because there's a lot of rookie mistakes that can mess you up.

First, the logic: if you use a state you live in, you're way more likely to run into people who actually know what that state's ID looks like. Bouncers, liquor store clerks, even cops in your area see your real state ID every day. They know the feel, the fonts, the placement of the ghost image, the holograms. A novelty ID from a different state means they have to compare it to something they don't see often, so any tiny flaw is less noticeable. Plus, if you get pulled over or carded, they can't just glance at your address and know it's fake because the address matches something real? That's a whole different can of worms.

So here's my step-by-step for choosing your state. First, avoid states that are "overdone" – places like California, Texas, New York, and Florida are so commonly faked that bouncers have bouncer-specific training for them. They know the UV patterns and microprint like the back of their hand. Stay away. Second, look for a state with moderate complexity – you want something with enough security features to look legit (like a raised tactile birthdate, clear holos, UV details) but not so many that your vendor can't replicate them properly. States like Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, or Colorado are often good picks because they have solid templates but aren't the "hot" fakes. Third, check the template quality from your vendor – before ordering, ask around here or look at reviews. The biggest mistake is picking a state that your vendor doesn't have a good template for. If the colors are off or the holograms are blurry, it doesn't matter what state you picked. Fourth, choose a state with a real-looking layout – some states have super simple card designs (like a plain blue background) that are easier to fake but also easier to spot if the font weight is off. Others have complex multi-layered images that are harder to replicate but look more convincing when done right. And finally, don't pick your own state – seriously, just don't. Even if you think it's clever, it's the #1 way to get caught quickly because you'll be showing it to people who see that same state ID every day.

Also, there's some key terms you need to know. OVI / OVI Shift: Optically Variable Ink – that's the part of the ID that changes color when you tilt it. Common on newer IDs. Your vendor needs to replicate that. UV / Blacklight: Ultraviolet features that glow under a blacklight. Most bouncers check this. Make sure your ID passes UV. Microprint: Tiny text printed around the photo or on the back. Hard to fake, but a good vendor gets it sharp. Ghost Image: A smaller, faded second photo of you, usually on the right side. Needs to match your main photo in lighting and expression. Laser Engraving: Some states have the signature or birthdate laser-etched into the card, giving it a slight tactile feel.

Here's a safety checklist before you order. First, confirm the vendor has a sample of the exact state you want from recent batches – not just a screenshot of a real one. Second, verify that the UV pattern for that state is correct – some vendors skip UV entirely. Third, check that the barcode scans with standard apps (like Barcode Scanner on your phone) and returns info that matches the front of the card. Fourth, make sure the card stock is PVC (credit card thick) and not flimsy – some state IDs are polycarbonate, but most aren't, so ask your vendor. Fifth, if possible, ask for a photo of the card under blacklight before they ship it. And lastly, don't use your real name or address. Get a burner address – like a friend's place in that state – or a PO box if needed. Some people use a rental property address – just make sure it's a real residential location that won't come up as "vacant".

And common mistakes I see newbies make all the time. One: picking their own state because "I know what it looks like." That's the exact reason not to do it – you're the most likely to be scrutinized. Two: going for the "easiest" state like a basic Illinois or Indiana fake. Those often have obvious flaws because they're mass-produced. Aim for a mid-tier state. Three: forgetting that the address you use needs to be real – if a bouncer is bored and looks up your address on Google Maps, a fake address will blow it. Use a real street number. Four: ignoring the back of the ID – many states have a barcode and magnetic stripe that need to be functional. Don't assume only the front matters. And five: thinking "no issues ever" means it's bulletproof. I've been lucky, but that luck came from picking a less common state and doing my homework. If I had chosen a trendy state like California, I might have been caught long ago.

Bottom line: I got a different state than where I live and never had issues. It's not a guarantee, but it's a solid strategy. Do your research, ask questions here, and don't rush. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing! This is helpful

Getting your home state can draw extra scrutiny. Maybe try a nearby state

OH or NY would work well for you. Common in PA area