Inks containing extremely durable micro-sized particles. The polymeric taggants exhibit an individualized security code through a "sandwich" system wherein variably colored layers are stratified. The intrinsic security of metallic microdots is realized by an optically variable, high security holographic image which is applied to the surface. The microCRYPT particles can be easily identified with a pocket microscope from 100 fold magnification. Special printing techniques in combination with high speed cameras and field readers enable secure track and trace functionality.