If you’ve ever watched a TV drama where someone reveals a pregnancy, or seen a theatrical production with a big announcement scene, you might have wondered: where do they get those ultrasound images? The answer is fake ultrasounds designed specifically for film, theater, and prop use.
I’ve been researching this niche corner of the prop world, and let me tell you—there’s a lot more to it than you might think. Whether you’re a film student working on your thesis project, a prop master for a community theater, or a professional production designer, getting the right fake ultrasound can make or break a scene.
Why Productions Need Fake Ultrasounds
Here’s the thing—you can’t exactly use a real person’s ultrasound image in your production. Beyond the obvious privacy issues, real ultrasounds often don’t photograph well on camera, and you need something you can control, duplicate, and use repeatedly across multiple takes.
I’ve seen productions try to use actual ultrasound images pulled from stock photo sites, and honestly? They usually look terrible on screen. The lighting is wrong, the paper quality is off, and audiences can tell something is weird even if they can’t pinpoint exactly what.
A purpose-made fake ultrasound solves all these problems. You get consistent quality, proper formatting, and something that looks exactly right when the camera zooms in for that emotional close-up.
Film & TV Production Requirements
Professional film and television productions have specific needs that go beyond what you might expect. Here’s what production designers typically look for:
1. High Resolution for 4K Capture
Modern productions shoot in 4K or higher, which means every prop needs to hold up under extreme scrutiny. A fake ultrasound that looks fine at arm’s length might reveal obvious flaws when captured by a cinema camera. You need crisp, high-resolution prints that can handle those tight shots.
2. Accurate Medical Formatting
Audiences are smart. Many viewers have seen real ultrasounds—either their own or friends’ and family members’. If the formatting is obviously wrong, it pulls people out of the scene. Look for fakes that include proper date stamps, measurement markers, and clinic formatting.
3. Customizable Details
Your script might call for specific details—a particular date, a character’s name, or a specific gestational age. The best prop ultrasounds allow you to customize these elements to match your story’s timeline.
4. Proper Paper Stock
Real ultrasounds are printed on thermal paper with a distinctive look and feel. The best fake ultrasounds replicate this, which matters enormously when actors are handling the prop in close-up shots.
Theater Production Considerations
Theater has different requirements than film, and understanding these differences can save you time and money.
5. Visibility from the Audience
In theater, your ultrasound prop needs to read from the back row. This often means slightly larger prints or higher contrast images than you’d use for film. Some prop masters even create oversized versions for larger venues.
6. Durability for Repeated Performances
A theatrical run might include dozens of performances, and your prop needs to survive being handled night after night. Consider lamination or printing on more durable stock, though be mindful of how this affects the look under stage lighting.
7. Stage Lighting Compatibility
Stage lights can wash out details or create unwanted glare. Test your fake ultrasound under actual performance lighting conditions before opening night. What looks perfect in the prop shop might disappear under those powerful spots.
Student Film Projects
Student filmmakers often face unique challenges—tight budgets, limited resources, and the need to create professional-looking results without professional-level funding.
8. Budget-Friendly Options
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a convincing prop. Check out the best fake ultrasound websites for options at various price points. Many offer student discounts or package deals.
9. Quick Turnaround
Student productions often come together quickly, and you might not have weeks to wait for a custom prop. Look for services that offer fast shipping or digital delivery options you can print yourself in a pinch.
Quality Requirements for Screen
Let’s get specific about what makes a fake ultrasound camera-ready.
10. The Gray Scale Test
Real ultrasounds have a specific range of grays. Too much contrast and it looks fake; too little and it’s muddy on screen. The best fakes nail this balance. Hold your prop next to a real ultrasound image and compare—the gray tones should be similar.
11. Text Clarity
Any text on the ultrasound—dates, measurements, clinic info—needs to be crisp and legible. Blurry or pixelated text is an immediate giveaway that you’re looking at a fake.
12. Anatomical Accuracy
This might seem obvious, but the baby image itself needs to look right. The best fake ultrasounds use realistic imagery that matches the stated gestational age. A “12-week ultrasound” that shows a fully-formed baby is going to look wrong to anyone who’s actually been pregnant.
For more background on how these are made and what to look for, check out my guide on what is a fake ultrasound.
Pro Tips for Prop Masters
I’ve gathered some wisdom from folks who do this professionally. Here’s what the experts recommend:
Age your props appropriately. If your story calls for an ultrasound that’s been carried around in a wallet for months, it shouldn’t look fresh off the printer. Gentle creasing, slightly softened edges, and minor wear make props feel real.
Create a props bible. Document everything about your ultrasound prop—where you got it, what customizations you requested, how it should be stored. This is invaluable for continuity and potential reshoots.
Test under actual shooting conditions. Set up your lighting, camera, and lens exactly as they’ll be used in the scene, then photograph your prop. Review the footage before the actual shoot day to catch any issues.
Have a backup plan. Props get damaged, lost, or sometimes just don’t work on camera. Always have a Plan B ready.
Where to Get Production-Quality Fakes
Not all fake ultrasounds are created equal, and what works for a casual prank won’t necessarily hold up on a professional set.
For production use, you want a provider that understands professional requirements. Look for services that offer high-resolution printing, customization options, and realistic medical formatting.
Check out BabyMaybeShop for realistic options →
Legal Considerations for Productions
A quick word on the legal side of things. Using fake ultrasounds for legitimate entertainment purposes is perfectly legal. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Don’t use real clinic names unless you have explicit permission. Many productions create fictional clinic names to avoid any potential issues.
Keep documentation. For professional productions, maintain records showing that your props are intentionally fake and being used for entertainment purposes only.
Communicate with your team. Make sure everyone handling the props understands what they are and how they should be used.
Final Thoughts
Getting the right fake ultrasound for your production is about understanding what you need and finding a provider who can deliver it. Whether you’re working on a major studio production or a student short film, the principles are the same: quality matters, details matter, and planning ahead saves headaches later.
The best prop is one the audience never thinks twice about—it just looks right, feels right, and serves the story. With a little research and the right resources, you can absolutely achieve that level of realism in your production.
Have questions about using fake ultrasounds in your production? I’m always happy to help fellow filmmakers and theater folks figure out the best approach for their specific needs.
