Choosing Check Printers

Is any special toner required to print checks?

No, at least technically anyway. A legal check doesn’t even actually have to be a check; it could just be a piece of paper that states that a certain amount is due for a certain person with an account number and financial institution of where the amount can be drawn. However, in all situations, this probably wouldn’t work as all financial institutions have requirements for the checks they’ll accept.

Many times, using a magnetic ink is preferred since it can help deter fraud. Retailers and many financial institutions will use a MICR reader which will detect if a check has this magnetic font on it. If the check is read with a low strength, many will reject the check as a possible fraudulent check.

How can I make sure that a fraudulent check isn’t excepted?

Although there is no surefire way to keep a fraudulent check from entering your business, there are a few measures that you and your company can take to try and avoid this. Some suggestions would be to have security fonts on your checks, keeping a good check stock and training your employees about such matters and how to look out for fraudulent checks. Another way to keep YOUR employees from such situations is the offer them positive pay.

What kind of paper-based security features would most likely work best?

The following is a list of general guide for check stock security features:

Artificial Watermarks – White on white printing generally on the back reveals words or patterns when held at an angle. You should state on the front of the check that this feature is present. Watermarks don’t show up when copied.
Laid Lines – Unevenly spaced background lines that make cut and paste alterations difficult.
Void Pantograph – Background printing of the word VOID or COPY which appears on photocopies. Some paper suppliers offer enhanced versions of pantographs which provide protection from the latest in color copier technology.
Chemical Additives – If an ink eradicator (bleach, acetone, etc.) is applied to the document, either the word VOID appears, or the eradicator creates a permanent stain.
Numbered Check Stock – Sequential numbering printed in dye that penetrates to the reverse side of the check can be used to verify authenticity. This number may or may not relate to the check serial number. This also provides for inventory control of blank check stock.

However, this should not limit your consideration for other features as these features aren’t an all-inclusive list. For more help, getting consultation with a local paper supplier may help.

What elements of a check are legally required?

All checks should include 1) The date the check is written, 2) The amount of the check, 3) The Payee (Person whom the check is made out to), 4) Signature of the paying person, and 5) the financial institution name.

Can the kind of check stock I use really make a difference?

Absolutely! The quality of the MICR documents you use is very dependent on the type of paper that’s used. Besides harming the adhesion of toner, a poor quality paper is more likely to get jammed in the bank read/sorter that used in getting the checks processed.

For a list of better paper stock to use for your check printing, the following would do well:
-24 lb. bond paper with a taber M.D. 2.5 and C.D. 1.1 minimum
-Paper with a rougher surface (of course, keep it within the base printers’ specifications for best toner fusing)
-Long or short paper grain. Overall performance in the banks reader/sorters is best when the grain direction is left to right when viewing the check.
-Micro-Perf (20 or more cuts per inch) perforations
-A moisture content between 4.7% and 5.5%. Storage conditions have a large effect on the final moisture content of most papers. Your check stock should be stored in a cool, dry and stable environment (which should also be secure, not to mention) The protective wrappings should not be removed until just prior to using.
-The use of paper-based security features such as void pantographs and laid lines is also recommended as fraud deterrents.

I want to learn more about MICR. Are there any special places where I can get more information?

There are a few places where you can obtain MICR information including conferences, and banking industry issues by American Bankers Association, research, conferences and publications by Bank Administrative Institute and at American National Standards Institute. Other businesses where you can find out more is at X9, a business that develops and publishes consensus technical standards for financial services, which is accredited by the American National Standards Institute.

Can I use recycled cartridges?

The MICR toner cartridge industry has a wide range of suppliers with a few number of firms that adopt stringent cartridge and MICR toner quality control measures. However, most vendors use inferior toner formulations and poor quality cartridges that can cause damage to your printer and print poor quality MICR documents.

MICR toner contains iron oxide which over time can eat away at toner cartridge components. With recycled cartridges, you can run the risk of damaging your printer, printing poorly and wasting money if the proper parts of the recycled cartridge is not properly replaced.

Poor quality toners will also tend to flake or smear in the reader/sorter equipment used by financial institutions to process checks, in which they may charge your extra fees.
Using recycled MICR toner cartridges would not be recommended as all MICR toner cartridges aren’t made equally with the same quality and care. To make sure you’re getting quality cartridges, check with your supplier by asking the following questions:

-What check reader/sorters have you used to verify durability of the MICR toner?

-What are the expected character signal strength readings throughout the life of the cartridge?

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