The present invention relates generally to systems for creating and authenticating printed objects using authentication information. One implementation recites: An apparatus for determining authenticity of a digital representation of an object. The digital representation includes embedded first authentication information. The apparatus includes: a storage system in which stored second authentication information is associated with stored reference codes; and a processor which receives the digital representation and a reference code associated therewith. The processor includes: an authentication information reader, and the processor: i) employs the reference code to retrieve the second authentication information associated therewith from the storage system, ii) employs the authentication information reader to recover the embedded first authentication information, and iii) employs recovered first authentication information and the second authentication information to determine authenticity of the digital representation. Other implementations are provided and claimed as well.