System and method for identifying a prescribed inkjet ink

A system for identifying a prescribed inkjet ink includes a controlled substrate, a quantity of ink dispensed from a printhead of an ink cartridge onto the controlled substrate which supports the dispensed ink in a freestanding form, a light emitter configured and positioned to transmit light in a first preselected wavelength bandwidth onto the freestanding dispensed ink, a light sensor configured and positioned to detect light m a second preselected wavelength bandwidth different from the first preselected wavelength bandwidth by a fluorescent additive contained in the freestanding dispensed ink, and a signal analyzer electrically connected to the light sensor and operable to produce an electrical output signal corresponding to such light emissions such that an electrical output signal above a given level is indicative of the presence of the prescribed ink in the ink cartridge.