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Make your own press card? Why a DIY press pass does not work

You can design a card with “PRESS” on it in minutes with a template or press pass creator – but nobody has checked it, nobody can verify it and nobody has to accept it. Used in real life to appear as a journalist, a homemade card can mislead people and, if used dishonestly for gain, may amount to fraud.

If you need a prop for a film, a costume or a children’s game, a homemade card is fine – we show how to keep it clearly a prop. If you work as a journalist, you need a card issued after a check by an identifiable organisation.

Get a verifiable press card Requirements

At a glance

For props and play: Fine – if clearly marked as a prop
As real ID: Not credible: unchecked and unverifiable
Legal risk: Dishonest use for gain may be fraud; imitating police ID is an offence
Alternative: A checked, verifiable press card from €95

Why a self-made press card is not a real press card

A press card is valuable because someone else vouches for you.

No independent check

A real issuer reviews whether you work journalistically. A card you print yourself proves only that you own a printer.

No verification

Organisers and press officers increasingly check cards via hotline, register or QR code. A DIY card fails that check immediately.

No credibility

Experienced press officers recognise templates. Showing one can damage your reputation more than showing no card at all.

The legal risks

Making a prop is not illegal. Using it to deceive can be.

There is no UK law against designing a card with “press” on it. The risk lies in how it is used. The Fraud Act 2006 makes it an offence to dishonestly make a false representation in order to make a gain or cause a loss – for example using a fake card to get free entry. Designing a card to look like police ID is particularly risky: the Police Act 1996 makes it an offence to impersonate a police officer with intent to deceive. Copying a real organisation’s name, logo or the UK Press Card design can also lead to civil claims. Details: fake press card and the law.

Making a press card prop the safe way

For films, theatre, cosplay, school projects and children’s games.

Use an invented outlet name, never a real newspaper or broadcaster
Print “PROP”, “SAMPLE” or “NOT VALID” visibly on the card
Avoid crests, police-style badges and official-looking holograms
Do not imitate the UK Press Card or any real card design

Keep props on set or at home – never use them at real events or incidents
For children, make it obviously a toy and supervise its use
Use fictional names and numbers
Destroy props after the production if they could be mistaken for real ID

If you are a journalist: get a real card

It costs less than you might think and saves awkward moments.

If you publish journalistic work regularly, apply for a card that is checked and verifiable. Professional newsgatherers in the UK can apply for the UK Press Card through a gatekeeper such as the NUJ; everyone else aged 18+ who publishes regularly can apply for the FJA press card for €95 for 12 months, with no membership. Every FJA card has a number and a QR code that links to a verification page with your photo – exactly what a homemade card can never offer. See requirements, cost and how to get a press card.

Better alternatives to a home-made card

Whatever made you think about making your own card, there is usually a better option.

Your situation	Better option
You report regularly but have no card yet	Apply for a real press card from an issuer that checks your work – see how to get a press card
You need ID for a single assignment	Ask your editor for a short commissioning letter on the outlet’s letterhead
You run a student or community publication	Issue a simple contributor ID that names your publication – not a “press card” – and add a contact number
You need a prop for a film, play or costume	Make an obviously fictional prop marked “PROP” or “SAMPLE”, as described above
You are under 18	Use the alternatives on our under-18 page – a press card is not available to you yet

Why organisers can tell the difference

Home-made cards rarely survive a second look.

Press officers and security teams see many credentials. They notice when an issuer cannot be found, when there is no way to verify a card or when the holder cannot name an outlet. Many organisers also check applicants’ published work before they accredit anyone. A self-made card therefore rarely gets you further than a polite email with links to your work would – and if it is mistaken for a real credential, it can cause serious trouble.

If you want to check how a real card can be verified, see our page on press card verification.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a press card?

You can design a prop with any template, but a self-made card is not a press card in any meaningful sense. Journalists should get a card from an issuer that checks applications and offers verification.

Is it illegal to make your own press card?

Making a prop is not illegal. Using a homemade card dishonestly to gain an advantage can be fraud, and imitating police ID is a separate offence.

Do press pass creator websites make real press passes?

No. They produce templates. Without an independent check and verification, nobody has to accept them.

Can I use a homemade press card at a concert?

You should not. It would be presenting yourself with an unverified card, which can mislead the organiser. Apply for accreditation with genuine credentials instead.

Can my child have a pretend press card?

Yes, as a toy, if it is clearly a prop and not used in real situations. We do not issue real cards to under-18s.

What is the cheapest real press card?

For eligible NUJ members the UK Press Card is free with membership. Without membership, the FJA card costs €95 for 12 months.

Can my publication print its own press cards for contributors?

An outlet can issue staff or contributor ID to people who work for it. It should be clear which publication issued it, who to contact and how long it is valid. It must not imitate the UK Press Card or suggest official recognition it does not have.

Is there a press card template I can use?

We do not recommend press card templates: a self-printed card is not issued or verified by anyone. To see what a real card contains, look at our press card sample; for props, follow the safe-prop rules on this page.

Sources and last review

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.