A convenient and secure method is provided via a distributed processing network, such as the Internet, for allowing consumers to personally print on security paper available only from the provider of the service selected discount coupons, which have been preauthorized by a provider of goods or services, on a restricted basis, and in a manner which makes counterfeiting of such coupons extremely difficult. The invention also provides a method for tracking the use of the coupons with an on-line accessible and updatable database, so that the buying habits of the consumers may be ascertained. The providers of the goods and services are allowed access to the database and are able to enter data related to the use of tendered coupons and view accumulated data and statistical analyses of that data.