MICR Toner Key Facts

MICR toner is a specialized kind of magnetic laser toner ink which is used to print secure check data. The data is often referred to as the “MICR line”, located at the bottom of your checks, which contain check routing numbers, customer account numbers and the actual check number itself. Bank check processing machines are standardized to read and verify MICR ink through magnetic MICR reading technologies.

MICR ink found its first use in banks and check printing companies using specialized MICR printers. MICR check printing is more common in today’s business environment. Today, MICR check lines may be printed using most standard home or office printers. Printing checks and deposit slips is very easy for small businesses and individuals, thanks to the widespread availability of MICR cartridges and check printing software.

Standard Office Printers Which Can Print MICR Check Lines

Any printer can print MICR check lines, provided it is properly equipped. Nearly all major printer brands make printers which can be equipped with MICR ink cartridges to print your checks. These printer manufacturers include: Apple, Dell, Brother, Hewlett Packard, (HP) Lexmark, Konica, Minolta, Pitney Bowes, Troy Canon, IBM and Xerox.

Most of these printer models can be equipped to print MICR checks. This includes a variety of printer models, from large floor standing office printers to small, in-home printer scanner copiers. The determining factor in learning if your printer is capable of MICR printing is if MICR cartridges are made for your specific printer.

How to Equip your Printer to Print with MICR Toner

In order to print MICR data on your checks, a printer must have the following:

  • Check printing software
  • Special MICR fonts
  • Blank check paper
  • Compatible MICR toner cartridges

Check printing software and blank check paper are easy to purchase. Most standard home/office accounting software programs, such as QuickBooks and Quicken, have check printing software included. Blank check paper can be purchased from most office supply stores and online office supply vendors. Finding MICR fonts and MICR toner cartridges for your printer is slightly more challenging. We will be happy to assist you if help is needed.

When looking to purchase MICR fonts, contact Think Toner.com for MICR E-13B font packages. MICR cartridges are sold by many specialty online ink cartridge vendors and office supply stores, however Think Toner will work very hard to find you the best price. When looking to purchase cartridges, it’s important to find cartridges which are 100% compatible with your printer, but it’s very important to pay attention to quality. OEM cartridges are slightly higher when compared to purchasing aftermarket or off-brand toner. The MICR cartridge manufacturer should hold high quality standards for MICR toner manufacturing.