Will I need fasteners to install this, or are they included?

Fasteners are not included with the bracket. You'll need to source bolts and hardware compatible with your vehicle's front-end mounting points — the bracket itself uses existing holes, so no drilling is necessary.

Does this require any prep or painting before installation?

No. The bracket ships with a black powder-coated finish ready to bolt on. If you want to match a custom paint scheme, you can sand and paint it, but it's good to go out of the box.

What if the plate doesn't sit flush or the angle is off?

Test-fit it before tightening everything down. This bracket is designed for standard US plates, but minor adjustments during installation can help dial in the angle and alignment to your specific bumper shape.