Serialized digital watermarking for variable data printing

A digital marking system for producing unique instances of an image, each unique instance having a unique digital payload, the system comprising:

• a memory on which is stored unique signal tiles of a tint comprised of two or more inks, the unique signal tiles each formed by a combination of images in the two or more inks of a reference signal and an encoded variable payload;
• the memory further comprising a template for application of a unique signal tile to a substrate, wherein the template repeats a unique signal tile to fit an area within a color separation;
• and
• a processor configured with instructions for producing uniquely marked images by repeating each unique signal tile to fit an area within the color separation according to the template;
• and configured to output rasterized images comprising the uniquely marked images in the color separation;
• a marking device, in communication with the processor, for applying the rasterized images to a corresponding area on the substrate.

A digital marking system for producing unique instances of an image, each unique instance having a unique digital payload, the system comprising:

• a memory on which is stored unique signal tiles, the unique signal tiles each formed by a combination of images of a reference signal and an encoded variable payload;
• the memory further comprising a template for application of a unique signal tile to a substrate, wherein the template repeats a unique signal tile to fit an image area;
• a processor configured with instructions for producing uniquely marked images by repeating each unique signal tile to fit an image area according to the template;
• and configured to output rasterized images comprising the uniquely marked images;
• and
• a marking device, in communication with the processor, for applying the rasterized images in a color separation of ink to a corresponding area on the substrate.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions stored therein that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the following acts:

• obtaining stored unique signal tiles, the unique signal tiles each formed by a combination of images of a reference signal and an encoded variable payload;
• obtaining a template for application of a unique signal tile to a substrate, wherein the template repeats a unique signal tile to fit an image area;
• producing uniquely marked images by repeating each unique signal tile to fit an image area according to the template;
• outputting rasterized images comprising the uniquely marked images;
• and
• controlling application of the rasterized images in a color separation of ink to a corresponding area on the substrate.