Disclosed are acetate tow bands comprising identification fibers made of cellulose acetate which exhibit surface markings in a repeated pattern along the length of the identification fibers. The identification fibers can be incorporated into an acetate tow band. The surface markings and repeated pattern can be representative of a bale identifier. The identification fibers can be recovered from a cigarette filter, the repeated pattern decoded, and supply chain information associated with the acetate tow band used to make the cigarette filter can be obtained.