1. A method of forming a variable data pantograph comprising: receiving a variable data string; retrieving at least one character representation from a vocabulary of character representations stored in memory, the retrieved at least one character representation corresponding to the variable data string, each of the character representations in the vocabulary including a foreground region including a character shape and a background region suitably sized and arranged for encompassing the foreground region, the background region incorporating a first pattern of elements and the foreground region incorporating a second pattern of elements; assembling the retrieved at least one character representation to form a variable data pantograph, whereby when the variable data pantograph is rendered in an original document, the foreground and background regions are similar in tone, the foreground and background regions being substantially less similar in tone in a copy of the original document to render the character visible.