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What is MICR?

Overview

MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, pronounced "My-ker") is a special font and printing technology used on the bottom line of all checks in North America and many other countries worldwide. The MICR line must be printed using magnetic ink to allow automatic check processing by banks.

Why MICR is Important

The MICR line on checks allows check information to be automatically read by machines. This is the only way banks can process the huge volume of checks handled each day.

MICR Character Set

The MICR typeface has only 14 characters:

  • Numbers: 0-9
  • Special symbols: Transit, Amount, On-Us, and Dash

Important: Since MICR has only 14 characters, you cannot print an entire check using just this font. The check amount and payee information use regular fonts.

MICR Line Components

The MICR line encodes three or four separate fields (from left to right):

Auxiliary On-Us (optional)

  • Location: Left-most field
  • Content: Usually the check number
  • Requirement: Only present on checks longer than 6.5 inches

Transit field

  • Purpose: Identifies the bank or institution
  • Format: Routing number

On-Us field

  • Purpose: Identifies the account
  • Content: Usually the business or person's bank account number

Amount field

  • Purpose: Check amount encoding
  • When added: Filled in by the bank after the check is deposited
  • Appearance: Blank when the check is initially printed

MICR Requirements

All MICR fonts and printing must meet these standards:

  • ANSI standard X9.27-1995 - MICR font specifications
  • ANSI standard ANS X9.7-1990 - MICR line positioning

Warning: Fonts that don't meet these standards will cause checks to be rejected by banks.

What You Need to Print MICR Checks

Required equipment and materials

ANSI-compliant MICR fonts

ProPay provides MICR fonts that meet both ANSI and ABA standards and allow you to calibrate your printing system for optimal results.

Laser printer

Why laser printers: MICR encoding must use special magnetic "ink," which is only available for laser printers. Inkjet printers cannot print MICR-compliant checks.

Printer selection tips:

  1. Locate firms that make magnetic toner cartridges
  2. Check which printer models match their cartridges
  3. Select a printer with available magnetic toner support
  4. HP and Lexmark are generally good choices

Note: As of this writing, no one has released magnetic ink for inkjet printers.

Magnetic toner cartridges

The MICR line must be printed using magnetic toner. This special toner is only available for laser printers.

Important: Your printer manufacturer typically won't sell magnetic toner cartridges (the market is too specialized). Contact Paysoft for information on obtaining magnetic toner.

Check stock paper

Print checks on special safety paper stored in a fairly moisture-free location.

Optional enhancements

Secure number fonts

Print check amounts in fonts that can't be easily altered. These fonts typically:

  • Reverse the pattern (light numbers on dark background)
  • Add stripes for additional security
  • Spell out the number or symbol below the digit

This replaces the old check embossing machines that printed raised numbers.

Signature fonts

For high-volume check printing, signature fonts can:

  • Automatically sign checks during printing
  • Scale to different sizes as needed
  • Print faster than graphic images

Benefit: Eliminates manual signing or stamping of checks.

Logo fonts

Professional-looking logos on checks improve your company's image. Logo fonts can:

  • Print at high speed
  • Scale to different sizes
  • Look more professional than generic checks

Other Uses for MICR

MICR (E-13B) encoding is also used in:

  • Sales promotions
  • Coupons
  • Credit cards
  • Airline tickets
  • Insurance premium receipts
  • Deposit tickets

Technical Specifications

Character spacing

MICR characters are fixed width. Each number or symbol occupies exactly 1/8 of an inch.

Character positioning

The actual numbers or symbols have one of 5 different widths and must be positioned exactly within the fixed character cell. Incorrect positioning causes certain pairs of numbers or symbols to fail automatic reading.

Legal requirements

The Federal Reserve Board requires that MICR encoding be printed with special magnetic "ink."

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