The present invention relates to steganography and digital watermarking. In one implementation, we provide a method to analyze a digital image to determine whether the digital image will be a suitable host to receive steganographic encoding or digital watermarking. Suitability is determined, at least in part, by analyzing the digital image relative to an expected workflow process through which a watermarked version of the digital image is expected to flow through. Our methods and systems determine whether the digital image forms a suitable host to receive digital watermarking relative to the expected workflow process. If the digital image is not suitable, the digital image is modified to better receive digital watermarking in anticipation of the expected workflow process.