Carbon-based　fluorescent　security　labels　are　effective　methods　to　prevent　counterfeiting.　However,　the　properties　of　poor　optical　stability,　complex　and　energy-consuming　synthesis　processes　and　weak　bonding　with　substrates　of　carbon-based　fluorescent　materials　limit　their　application　prospects.　Here,　a　novel　in　situ　fluorescent　patterning　strategy　is　developed　to　achieve　covert,　chemically　stable　and　solvent-tolerant　cellulose-based　security　labels　by　UV　exposure.　The　unsaturated　double　bonds　as　the　origin　of　the　fluorescence　were　generated　during　the　photodegradation　process　under　UV　exposure.　The　fluorescent　emission　of　cellulose-based　materials　reveals　excellent　stability　under　acidic,　alkaline,　reducing,　oxidizing　and　non-polar　solvent　environments.　These　advantages　give　the　cellulose　nanofiber　based　security　label　fantastic　potential　applications.　This　journal　is　©　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry.