A system for representing and recognizing data in machine readable graphic image form in which data to be encoded is entered into the system and a processor encodes the data into a two-dimensional pattern of graphic indicia and generates transfer drive signals representative of the indicia. A transferring device such as a printer transfers an image of the two-dimensional pattern of graphic indicia onto a carrier such as a card or paper document in responsde to the transfer drive signals. A recognition device converts the image on the carrier into electrical signals representative of the graphic indicia and decodes the signals into output signals representative of the data for further processing or use.