System and method for identifying a prescribed inkjet ink

A system for identifying a prescribed inkjet ink, comprising:

• a controlled substrate containing carbon black configured to receive a quantity of ink dispensed from a printhead of an ink cartridge onto the carbon black of said controlled substrate which supports the dispensed ink in a freestanding form;
• a light emitter configured and positioned to transmit light in a first preselected wavelength bandwidth onto the freestanding dispensed ink;
• a photo sensor configured and positioned to detect light in a second preselected wavelength bandwidth different from said first preselected wavelength bandwidth emitted by a fluorescent additive contained in the freestanding dispensed ink;
• and
• a signal analyzer electrically connected to said photo sensor and operable to produce an electrical output signal corresponding to such light emissions such that an electrical output signal above a given level is indicative of the presence of the prescribed ink in the ink cartridge.