Method and system embodiments create unique signatures based on the unique layouts of user-readable text and graphics on a variable information document. The embodiments create, or are supplied with, a variable information document comprising a storyline of user-readable text and graphics and use a heuristic to create the unique signature for the variable information document, without adding markings to the variable information document. The unique arrangement of at least a portion of the user-readable text and graphics actually comprises the unique signature of the variable information document. The method prints the text and graphics in the unique arrangement as a printed document and can later scan at least a portion of the printed document to identify the unique signature.