Patterned colloidal photonic crystals have been well used in the field of anti- counterfeiting owing to their advantages of easy preparation, cost-effectiveness, diversification and functionalization. The methods for fabricating patterned colloidal PCs, including those of vertical deposition, spin-coating, spray coating, and inkjet printing were summarized. The advantages of patterned PC devices were also discussed. Finally, the perspective of future developments and challenges was presented as well.