# Imprinto: Enhancing Infrared Inkjet Watermarking for Human and Machine Perception

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.17089 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.17089/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 16 of its 85 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 24 Feb 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 16 of 16)

- [Deep Residual Learning for Image Recognition](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1512.03385/) (2015)
- [Adam: A Method for Stochastic Optimization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1412.6980/) (2014)
- [PyTorch: An Imperative Style, High-Performance Deep Learning Library](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1912.01703/) (2019)
- [U-Net: Convolutional Networks for Biomedical Image Segmentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1505.04597/) (2015)
- [StegaStamp: Invisible Hyperlinks in Physical Photographs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1904.05343/) (2019)
- [fastai: A Layered API for Deep Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2002.04688/) (2020)
- [Augmented Object Intelligence with XR-Objects](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.13274/) (2024)
- [VisCode: Embedding Information in Visualization Images using Encoder-Decoder Network](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2009.03817/) (2020)
- [ART-UP: A Novel Method for Generating Scanning-robust Aesthetic QR codes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1803.02280/) (2018)
- [InfraredTags: Embedding Invisible AR Markers and Barcodes Using Low-Cost, Infrared-Based 3D Printing and Imaging Tools](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2202.06165/) (2022)
- [Augmenting Static Visualizations with PapARVis Designer](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.04826/) (2023)
- [FontCode: Embedding Information in Text Documents using Glyph Perturbation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1707.09418/) (2017)
- [AniCode: Authoring Coded Artifacts for Network-Free Personalized Animations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1807.11627/) (2018)
- [Ubiquitous Metadata: Design and Fabrication of Embedded Markers for Real-World Object Identification and Interaction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.11748/) (2024)
- [XR-penter: Material-Aware and In Situ Design of Scrap Wood Assemblies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.15413/) (2025)
- [Draw2Cut: Direct On-Material Annotations for CNC Milling](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.18951/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Hybrid paper interfaces leverage augmented reality to combine the desired tangibility of paper documents with the affordances of interactive digital media. Typically, virtual content can be embedded through direct links (e.g., QR codes); however, this impacts the aesthetics of the paper print and limits the available visual content space. To address this problem, we present Imprinto, an infrared inkjet watermarking technique that allows for invisible content embeddings only by using off-the-shelf IR inks and a camera. Imprinto was established through a psychophysical experiment, studying how much IR ink can be used while remaining invisible to users regardless of background color. We demonstrate that we can detect invisible IR content through our machine learning pipeline, and we developed an authoring tool that optimizes the amount of IR ink on the color regions of an input document for machine and human detectability. Finally, we demonstrate several applications, including augmenting paper documents and objects.