A mechanism for ensuring the authenticity of written and printed documents. With the mechanism of the present invention, electronic ink is deposited onto a document, wherein the electronic ink deposited comprises at least one mark visible to a user. Current is applied to the electronic ink while the electronic ink is wet. The current is applied to the electronic ink in order to imprint a pattern in the ink. The electronic ink deposited on the document is then allowed to dry. The pattern in the electronic ink may then be examined to verify the authenticity of the document.