Method for Generating and Printing a Drift Resistant Pantograph Mark

To generate a security mark, a system prints test pattern marks of varying frequencies on a first substrate. The system copies the test pattern marks onto a second substrate. The system analyzes the copy to identify a frequency or period range for test patterns that exhibit a high level of contrast as compared to the original. It then uses the identified range to generate an array of cells having pantograph marks of various foreground/background frequencies/periods. The system prints the array and generates polygons that contain cells in which the foreground is visually distinguished from the background. The system identifies the polygon having an inner point having a largest range to edge. It identifies the frequency/period of the background pattern and of the foreground pattern of the cell that contains the inner point. It then generates a pantograph mark having a background and foreground that correspond the identified frequencies or periods.