Discussion: Evaluating UV Feature Quality
When it comes to high-end novelty IDs, the UV (Ultraviolet) feature is often the true test of a vendor’s capability. A lot of people talk about scannability and holograms, but the UV images are what professionals look at when they really want to verify a card. I wanted to start a discussion on what makes a "good" UV feature versus a "bad" one.
First off, the UV image should be invisible under normal light. On cheap cards, you can sometimes see a faint "ghost" of the UV image even without a blacklight. This is a huge red flag. A high-quality UV feature should only appear when exposed to the correct wavelength of UV light, and it should pop with a bright, consistent glow.
What to Look for in UV Images
- Alignment: The UV image must be perfectly aligned with the printed elements on the card. If the UV state seal is half an inch off from where it should be, the card is a failure.
- Sharpness: The images shouldn’t be blurry or blotchy. You should be able to see fine details within the UV design.
- Color: Different states use different colors for their UV features—some are green, some are blue, and some are multi-colored. Make sure your vendor knows the correct color for the state you’re ordering.
I’ve noticed that some of the newer Canada province IDs have incredibly complex UV designs. Has anyone recently tested a Canadian ID from any of our listed vendors? I’m curious if they are managing to replicate the dual-color UV features that some provinces have introduced lately.
Pro Tip: If you want to check your own cards, you can pick up a cheap UV flashlight online for under $10. It’s a great way to verify the quality of your order before you ever need to use it. What are your experiences? Which vendors are currently leading the pack in UV replication?