ID printing help needed.

[jason1976]

ID printing help needed.

Ok, so I'm a huge fan of paper props. (both at a Photographer/graphic Artist, and as a really cheep prop collector. :lol)

I've printed up a lot of the props in this part of the forum, including many of the replica IDs. However, some IDs in the films are not simply laminated pieces of paper. Some, appear, to be printed right onto the plastic. (kind of like some of the IDs, and cards, you might find in your own wallet now-a-days.)

My question is, is there an easy way to do this at home? (preferably cheep, and easy.) And if it's not possible to do it the way the prose do it, then is there way to do something close to it, at least in appearance. (a way to make it look right, but that doesn't need anything fancy to do it.)

Jason

 

[Darth Mawr]

One way is to do as this site suggests: Pimp My Card: How to Skin Your Student Credit Card

It references a credit card but could be used for I.D. Cards. Just buy some plastic sheet at the hobby store and cut to size.

 

[Coz]

Another option is to use self-adhesive inkjet printable vinyl - either clear or white.
Print to the appropriate size, and apply to a plastic ID card (blanks are easily available on the 'bay).

This is printed onto clear glossy inkjet vinyl (not waterproof, but that is available) on the Photo & Matte photopaper setting. Stuck to a white plastic ID card blank.

If you trim the sticker slightly over the card size, its easier to appy to the card, and xacto off the excess. Also to cut around the rounded corners (corner cutters have too wide a curve).

You can get 10 card images per page onto A4, so 5 full cards with two printed sides.
Handy for those Fletch wallets...

C.

 

[jason1976]

OO, Great info gang. Thanks.

 

[RickDeG]

Is that printable vinyl available online somewhere?

 

[jason1976]

Is that printable vinyl available online somewhere?

What kind of store kind I find it in? (I looked at Michael's, and Staples )

 

[exoray]

However, some IDs in the films are not simply laminated pieces of paper. Some, appear, to be printed right onto the plastic. (kind of like some of the IDs, and cards, you might find in your own wallet now-a-days.)

Google or eBay Teslin or Artisyn it comes in 8-12 mil, inkjet or laser versions...

If you laminated it front and back with gloss 10 mil pouches trimmed/sanded to edges it will be nearly identical in appearance and even feel to a 30 mil pvc card (credit card like)... If the front 10 mil laminate adds too much depth you can drop down to say a 5 mil on front and a 15 mil on back...

Once hot laminated the Teslin/Artisyn will become one with the clear laminate, unlike paper where you have to extend a clear laminated border or face delamination or pealing this will not happen with Teslin/Artisyn you can trim to edge, and even sand the edges, and they will for all practical purposes act and look just like a real PVC card...

 

[CB2001]

Since the Printworks T-shirt transfer paper is no longer being sold at Michaels, what are some of the other better Premium T-shirt transfer paper you guys use for card skinning?

 

[CB2001]

No recommendations?

 

[jason1976]

I don't konw, I'm still looking for a good brand myself.

 

[RickDeG]

One way is to do as this site suggests: Pimp My Card: How to Skin Your Student Credit Card

It references a credit card but could be used for I.D. Cards. Just buy some plastic sheet at the hobby store and cut to size.

Anybody tried this? It sounds like a poor man's way instead of the vinyl, but I'm curious as to how it would look.

 

[AKVai]

If you have an inkjet printer that can print directly on to DVD's then you can (with some) modify the DVD tray so that you can print directly on to PVC Cards. You do have to buy inket compatible cards not just any PVC cards as most are only compatible with Dye-Sublimation card printers.