1. A method for protecting print items intended for public exchange having sensitive informational indicia visually indicated thereupon comprising: receiving a digital image data representation of the print item to be rendered; receiving indication of an intended value for the informational indicia to be visually indicated upon the face of the print item; checking the digital image data representation border area at the edge of the digital image data representation; determining whether the border area is blank; clearing the border area if it is not blank; encoding the intended value as a plurality of data carrying dot patterns; embedding each of the plurality of data carrying dot patterns in the border area; and, rendering the print item with the embedded data carrying dot patterns in the border with each embedded data carrying dot rendered as too small to be visually noticeable.