System and method for adding data to a printed publication

A system for adding data to a printed publication printed on a substrate, comprising:

• a processing circuit;
• and
• an energy source;
• wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive variable data and to control the energy source to at least partially ablate the printed publication based on the variable data, wherein the variable data comprises, for a print run during which a plurality of copies of the printed publication are printed, data changed between at least two of the copies;
• wherein the publication is printed by a commercial printing press as the substrate travels through the commercial printing press based on fixed data, wherein the fixed data comprises data common to all of the copies of the printed publication printed during the print run;
• and
• wherein, after the printed publication has been printed on the substrate by the commercial printing press based on the fixed data, the processing circuit is configured to control the energy source to remove a portion of the printed publication based on the variable data.

A printed publication generated using a process of:

• receiving variable data, wherein the variable data comprises, for a print run during which a plurality of copies of the printed publication are printed, data changed between at least two of the copies;
• and
• controlling an energy source to at least partially ablate the printed publication based on the variable data;
• wherein the printed publication is printed on the substrate using the commercial printing press based on fixed data, wherein the fixed data comprises data common to all of the copies of the printed publication printed during the print run;
• and
• wherein controlling the energy source to at least partially ablate the printed publication comprises, after the printed publication has been printed on the substrate by the commercial printing press based on the fixed data, controlling the energy source to remove a portion of the printed publication based on the variable data.