How to Design an ID Card Using Adobe Photoshop

Co-authored by Shari Fairclough

Last Updated: November 13, 2024

Adobe Photoshop is the number one image editing software in the world, used by professionals and amateurs in a wide range of industries. In spite of this, the software can be quite confusing to new users. Read on below the jump to learn how to navigate the Photoshop interface and design your own ID card.

Steps

Download Article

This software can be quite expensive to purchase, but a full-featured free demo version is available on Adobe's website.
ID's are 3.375 inches (8.6 cm) wide by 2.125 inches (5.4 cm) tall. From the File menu click New. Change the units drop down menu from pixels to inches. In the width box type 3.375 and in the height box type 2.125. Depending on the quality of the images you plan to use on your ID, you may want to increase the resolution to 200 to 301 pixels/inch. While increasing the resolution will make the ID appear larger on your screen, its printed size will remain the same.

Advertisement
Your company/club logo or a stock photo will work. Fill your background layer with the color white. Copy and paste your background image to a new layer above this and decrease the opacity (found in the menu above the layers) until you have the desired look. To change the size of the background image, click the image layer and click the Edit menu (next to the File menu) and select Free Transform (or use the shortcut Control + T). Click and drag the edges to the size you desire.
Using the same methods from step 2, copy and paste the person's facial image onto the ID and use Free Transform to change it to the right size. If you want your ID to have a "ghost image" of the person's face you can copy and paste a second facial image onto the ID, use Free Transform (Control + T) to make it smaller, and change it's opacity to make it more transparent.
Use the text tool to add the personal information. If you want to add a realistic looking signature you will have to download a signature font online and install it before being able to use it.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I find the same size lettering as a driver's license to print off?

Community Answer

You can put a ruler up to the screen to measure the lettering, or just use trial and error.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 21

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Don’t use this to make forged ID’s. This is illegal and you could get arrested for doing so.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
For additional information on how to find and install new fonts, which is good for using as a signature on your ID card, read the Wikihow article Install Fonts on Your PC.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0