A method and system for selective application of AIE (Automatic Image Enhancement) based on the characteristic of an image. The image can be evaluated utilizing PDL data, object location data, image layering data, image overprint data and image raster data in combination with a weighting scheme to ascertain whether the image should be designated as a background or watermark. The designated images can be passed through a tag to a DFE (Digital Front End) application in order to determine the application of AIE to the images.