A system and method for authenticating an item, including a photoluminescent material disposed on or in a substrate and capable of absorbing an incident radiation from a radiation source and emitting an emitted radiation having a spectral signature with a decay time after removal of the radiation source, and a photoauthentication device capable of being disposed in contact with the substrate and including the radiation source and a camera, where, in connection with providing the incident radiation and measuring the emitted radiation, the photoauthentication device is translated across the substrate while the photoauthentication device is disposed in contact with the substrate, and after translation across or over the substrate and the radiation source is not providing the incident radiation, the photoauthentication device is static with respect to the substrate and the camera is disposed over the photoluminescent material emitting the emitted radiation when the emitted radiation is measured.