For this project, you will need the following items:
ID/whatever card - Get out your old Joe Schmoe, INC. identification card, library card, or whatever it is you feel you need to have an upgraded duplicate of.
Photoshop - or any other equivalent software - however, I'm gonna be using photoshop so it will be easier to follow along if you are using it as well.
Scanner - Good quality if possible
Printer - Also good quality
Laminator - more detail on which type when I get to it
Teslin paper - available from several websites. I recommend www.poisonid.com as it is the only site I could find selling the 4 x 6 perforated sheets I use here. They run from $4 US for a single ID to $33 for a pack of 20. IMO, go for the big pack because in all likelihood you will screw up a couple of times in the process of making this. Make sure you get the kind for your printer, whether inkjet or laser. Artisyn paper supposedly is just is good or better, but I've never tried it.
Butterfly laminate pouches - Again, many websites to choose from. If you buy from PoisonID, they come with the teslin paper. However, if you want your card to be magnetic stripe-scannable, then you will need to buy from a site selling 10 mil pouches (PoisonID's are 7 mil - close, but probably won't work with a magnetic strip encoder). They will also need a magnetic strip on the back - try here
Ruler
Scalpel or scissors or both
Sand paper
Optional:
Hologram overlays - available from PoisonID as well as many other sites. Gives it some extra pizazz. However they are stick-on so they're a royal pain in the ass to apply without mucking up.
Magnetic stripe encoder - Pretty expensive normally. I would look for one on ebay to try and score it for under $150. Good luck.
Curling iron/regular iron/hair straightener - if the ID you are trying to copy has a hologram on it, use one of these to get rid of it.

Scan in the photo and signature image files. The signature on your ID might not get much attention, but the photo definitely will. Consider these guidelines:

• If you take your own photo, try to do it against a blank background in bright or neutral lighting, and keep the frame focused around your face. You shouldn't be able to see your shoulders in the photo.
• Use your passport photo. If you've taken a picture for a US passport, you can try using that for your fake ID. After scanning the passport photo into the computer, the person's face will need to be separated from the background so it flows seamlessly with your ID card template.
  • Programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Fireworks or GIMP, provide you with an image editing tool called 'Magic Wand'. This tool will allow you to click a color in the image and it will select all surrounding colors that are similar or the same. There will be a slider that will allow you to select the amount of variance from the color you select. The higher the variance, the more of the image that will be selected.
  • Once the background is nearly fully selected without containing any of the person's face, press 'Delete' on your keyboard to erase it. You can then magnify the image and use the eraser tool to clean up around the person's face. At this point, zoom out and copy the image. It can be pasted onto your ID card template. It will then flow seamlessly into your template design and you can choose any background color you want!