FAKEYOURDRANK
A good photo is the difference between a novelty card that looks right and one that needs another round of edits. FakeYourDrank edits every photo we receive, but a blurry, shadowed or low-resolution photo cannot be fixed into a DMV-quality picture. This guide walks through the five rules we ask every customer to follow.
These cards are novelty items made for entertainment and creative projects. The photo rules below exist so your card looks clean and matches the style of a real licence.
Use a real camera or a modern phone
Use the back camera of a modern phone or a real camera. Do not use screenshots, webcam shots or photos of a photo. The image needs enough resolution for us to print cleanly, so a sharp original is always better.
Stand against a plain wall
Choose a plain, solid background with no patterns, posters or furniture behind you. Good light on a plain wall gives us clean edges to work with. Avoid mirrors and windows in the background.
Wear dark clothes
Dark, solid clothing looks closest to a real DMV photo. Avoid white shirts that blend into the background and avoid logos or busy prints.
Step back and turn the flash on
Stand about 6 to 8 feet from the camera and have someone else take the photo. Turn the flash on even indoors, because it removes shadows under the chin and makes the face look even. A selfie from arm's length distorts the face, so avoid it.
Keep your head straight and remove glasses
Face the camera directly with your head straight. Take off glasses, hats and anything that covers the hairline. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed, the same as a DMV photo.
What happens after you upload
We check every photo before production starts. If the photo is usable, your order moves forward the same day. If it is not, we contact you and the order waits, which adds time. That is why the full photo guide asks you to take 60 seconds and get it right. The shipping clock starts after photo approval, and the options are covered in shipping times explained. If you are still deciding on a card, compare the polycarbonate vs standard guide.
Common mistakes that slow orders down
- Blurry image from a low-light room
- Webcam or screenshot uploads
- Patterned background
- Glasses or a hat
- A selfie taken too close
Each of these usually means a request for a new photo. Avoiding them keeps production fast. The shipping clock starts after photo approval, so a clean photo also means your card arrives sooner.
Indoor versus outdoor light
Indoor light is easier to control, which is why the guide recommends a plain wall with the flash on. If you shoot outdoors, stand in open shade facing the light, never with the sun behind you. Harsh sunlight creates shadows and can wash out the face.
Take two or three shots and pick the sharpest one. A slightly different expression is fine as long as the pose stays neutral.
How to avoid the most common rejection
The fastest way to avoid a rejection is to follow the five rules in order. Before you upload, zoom in and check that the face is sharp, the background is clean and nothing covers the hairline. If the photo looks good on a phone screen, it is usually good enough to print.
Most rejected photos fail for one simple reason: the room was too dark. Turn the flash on, even in daylight, and the result is almost always usable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an old photo from my phone?
Yes, if it follows the rules above. It must be sharp, well lit, taken against a plain background and recent enough to look like you.
Do you edit the background for me?
We edit every photo we receive, but we cannot fix blur, heavy shadows or low resolution. Start with a clean photo and the edit will be simple.
What if my photo is rejected?
We email you and the order waits until a new photo is uploaded. Production starts after the replacement photo is approved.
Can I wear glasses in the photo?
No. Glasses create glare, so the guide asks you to remove them for the photo.
Does the photo affect the price?
No. A good photo does not change the price, but it does keep your order moving at the fastest speed.
