Methods and system for creating an infrared effect that can survives copying, can involve providing a metameric pair of pattern inks, wherein a first pattern ink reflects higher in an infrared spectrum as compared to a second pattern ink among the metameric pair of pattern inks, wherein the second pattern ink is less reflective than the first pattern ink. For the second pattern ink that is less reflective than the first pattern ink, a pattern can be created for the second pattern ink that is larger and less scattered than an existing design for a pattern ink. A color of media can be used as a common color for the metameric pair of patterns and inks to create an infrared effect from the metameric pair of pattern inks that survives copying on the media.