Abstract: A method of printing and of authenticating a marking, having a visible printed anti-copy pattern produced by pseudorandom noise that is generated on the basis of a secret generation key, includes processing at least one image of the printed anti-copy pattern. The anti-copy pattern is printed onto a marking substrate using predetermined printing conditions. The phase of marking control involves: regenerating the pseudorandom noise on the basis of the secret generation key; creating, computationally, a digital file of an image of a simulated printed anti-copy pattern which corresponding to a projected printing quality of the regenerated pseudorandom noise; capturing at least one image of the printed anti-copy pattern; and comparing the captured image of the printed anti-copy pattern with the image of the simulated anti-copy pattern in order to determine, computationally, a mathematical distance between the image of the printed anti-copy pattern and the image of the simulated anti-copy pattern.