A method of using a mobile device to authenticate a print medium online
before completing printing onto the print medium, the mobile device
including processing means, a printhead, a sensor, a transmitter and a
receiver, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate, the method
comprising the steps of: using the sensor to sense coded data provided on
a surface of the substrate; using the processing means to determine, from
the sensed coded data: an identity of the print medium; and at least part
of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part
of the identity; using the transmitter to send first data to a remote
computer system, the first data being indicative of the identity and the
at least part of the signature; using the receiver to receive second data
from the remote computer system in reply to the first data, the second
data being indicative of whether the print medium is authentic based on
the identity and the at least part of the signature; and in the event the
print medium is authentic, using the printhead to print onto the print
medium.