Media detecting method and system for an imaging apparatus

A system and method of detecting a type of media for an imaging apparatus. In the system and method of the present invention, a backside of the media is scanned or read to detect the presence of indicia on the backside of the media. The spacing between the repeated indicia on the media is measured for the purpose of detecting the type of media. That is, the system of the present invention includes a sensor that makes sequential spatial measurements of a moving media that contains repeated indicia to determine a repeat frequency and repeat distance of the indicia. The repeat distance is then compared against known values to determine the type of media present.