Novelty id cards: The rise of the 'Window' feature

The 'window' feature—a transparent section of the card with a secondary photo—is becoming standard in many states like NY, TX, and VA. For makers of novelty id cards, this is a nightmare. To do it correctly, they need to use a laser to clear the opaque layers of the polycarbonate without damaging the surface.

Most cheap vendors just leave a hole in the card and glue a piece of clear plastic over it. You can see the seam if you look closely. A high-quality novelty card will have a seamless window that is perfectly clear. It's a huge technical hurdle, but if your vendor can do it, you know they have the right equipment.