Counterfeiting and other forms of fraud (smuggling, product diversion, product dilution, etc.) is a growing worldwide trade problem, constituting between 5-10% of world trade [1]. Repercussions of counterfeiting differ based on the product, but include reduced consumer safety, brand value erosion, and the funneling of large funds into criminal hands. Since printing is used for brand and product identification, pricing and product information, and retailer stocking, it is logical to use printing for security. Powerful variable data printing (VDP) technologies already exist for several printing methods, including inkjet (IJ) and liquid electrophotography (LEP). Using IJ and LEP technologies to provide package, pallet and/or product security is called Security VDP, or SVDP. In this paper, we describe how the use of security inks with narrow, reproducible excitation and emission bandgaps can be coupled to the development of ink-specific handheld readers (ISHRs). The ISHR is constructed by matching its light source (e.g. LEDs) to the excitation bandgap of the ink, and matching its filters to the emission bandgap of the ink. Its application to ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR) and visible SVDP deterrents is provided, along with data from trials to co-qualify the inks and ISHRs on, for example, 2D Data Matrix bar codes and other counterfeiting deterrents. These readers can be made overt-or covert-ink specific, complementing the security of the inks with the security of the devices.