As a result of the recent proliferation of easily accessible electronic imaging hardware and software, printers specializing in the production of secure documents, packages, and labels (security printers) are now faced with new challenges and threats, but also opportunities. The ultimate goal of the security printer is to produce items in a way that deters counterfeiters, forgers, fraudsters, and terrorists from unauthorized copying or alterations of authentic items while maintaining the items' functionality, design, and esthetics.

Counterfeiting, forgery, and the production of fake products (“knockoffs” of brand-name products) were recently defined in broadest terms as an infringement of property rights both real and intellectual, and it was estimated that worldwide they cost brand owners in excess of $260 billion dollars per year.