Security marks based on print job image

A printing system comprising:

• a processor adapted to receive an initial print request containing patterns of marks to be printed on print media;
• a printing device in communication with the processor, wherein the printing device is adapted to print the initial print request on the print media to produce initial printed output;
• and
• a scanner in communication with the processor,
• wherein the scanner is adapted to scan the initial printed output to produce a scan of the initial printed output,
• wherein the processor adapted to evaluate the scan of the initial printed output to identify different printing densities of the patterns of marks in the initial printed output,
• wherein the processor is adapted to alter the patterns of marks in the initial print request to create a revised print request having hidden features by adding different printing densities of fluorescent spots to different areas of the patterns of marks, wherein the different printing densities of fluorescent spots are based on the different printing densities of the patterns of marks and on a size of the hidden features,
• wherein the printing device is adapted to print the revised print request after the processor alters the pattern of marks to produce revised printed output,
• wherein the scanner is adapted to scan the revised printed output to produce a scan of the revised printed output,
• wherein the processor is adapted to determine if the revised print request is to be utilized based on whether the hidden features are visible in the scan of the revised printed output, and
• wherein the printing device is adapted to print either the initial print request or the revised print request as a production run print job based on whether the revised print request is to be utilized.

A method comprising:

• receiving, into a printing system, a print request containing patterns of marks to be printed on print media to produce printed output;
• evaluating the print request using a processor of the printing system to identify different printing densities of the patterns of marks;
• altering the patterns of marks using the processor to create hidden features on the printed output by adding different printing densities of fluorescent spots to different areas of the patterns of marks, wherein the different printing densities of fluorescent spots are based on the different printing densities of the patterns of marks and on a size of the hidden features;
• and
• printing the print request on the print media using a printing device of the printing system to produce the printed output.