What Is MICR Printing?
MICR, or magnetic ink character recognition, is a technology that combines special fonts, character and line spacing, and magnetic ink or toner to print information on the bottom of checks, deposit slips and payment slips. The combination of character shape and magnetic properties creates a unique fingerprint for each character that enables data transfer at high speeds by inexpensive scanners.
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MICR Fonts
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All checks in North America are printed with MICR in accordance with strict American Banking Association and American National Standards Institutes (ANSI) standards. The MICR fonts for checks contain 14 characters: the numerals zero to nine and four special characters. Exactly 1/8-inch of space is allowed for each character. When combined, the MICR data includes the bank name and routing number, customer account number, check number (optional) and eventually the check amount.
Magnetic Ink and Toner
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ANSI also issues rigid specifications for the magnetic ink or toner properties used to print MICR data. Preprinted checks are available with MICR data impact printed on the bottom of checks. These are the kind of checks you order from your bank or third-party check printer. MICR data can also be printed on safety paper using laser printers that accept magnetic ink toner cartridges.
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Scanning MICR Data
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When MICR-printed documents, such as checks, are processed, they are passed through a high-speed scanner that looks for data in a specific location on the check and for the MICR font information positioned and spaced to exacting ANSI specifications. In the case of checks, the scanner reads all the pertinent information and draws funds from the routing bank and the customer account.
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