An automated method for authorizing and controlling the production of optically encoded images is provided. The method comprises receiving from a user data processor a request for authorization to produce an encoded image (s110). The authorization request includes user-supplied data comprising at least one authentication image file. The method further comprises determining whether the user is authorized to produce an encoded image using the user-supplied data (s140). Responsive to a determination that the user is authorized to produce an encoded image using the user-supplied data, an authentication image signature is generated from the at least one authentication image file using an image signature algorithm and a positive authorization response is returned to the user data processor. The positive authorization response includes the authentication image signature (s170).