Can Any Printer Use MICR Ink? The Truth About Check Printing

If you’re printing checks for your business, you may have wondered what kind of printer to use.

It’s tempting to buy MICR toner/ink cartridges, put them in your printer, and call it a day.

But the truth is, you shouldn’t use MICR ink with just any printer.

MICR ink is specially formulated to work with dedicated MICR printers. Without an MICR printer, your checks may lack vital security and processing features.

But why is this? In this guide, we’ll explain why MICR ink requires special MICR printers. We’ll also examine:

• What MICR ink is
• Recommended MICR printer models 
• How to choose a MICR printer and ink
• Common questions about MICR ink

Let’s get started!

Not sure which printer you need? View our MICR-compatible printers.

What Exactly is MICR Ink (and Why Is It Special)?

MICR stands for “Magnetic Ink Character Recognition”. 

First developed in the 1950s, MICR is designed to enable banks to process checks securely, quickly, and accurately.

So, how does MICR work? It relies on two key pieces of technology:

• Ink or toner containing magnetic iron oxide particles
• Special fonts (E-13B or CMC-7)

When the magnetic ink or toner is combined with the MICR font, it produces text that machines can “read”. Specifically, MICR is used to print the check’s routing number, account number, and check number.

Banks use a specialized MICR reader to rapidly process checks. The magnetic ink/toner is key to this process. Without it, the reader won’t be able to interpret the information on the check.

Not only does MICR ink enable rapid check processing, but it also helps prevent check fraud. A check printed without MICR ink will trigger an error, alerting bank employees to a potentially fake/non-compliant check.

For both of these reasons, MICR remains a key part of ANSI check printing specifications. In other words, if you want to print compliant checks, you must use MICR ink/toner.

The Core Problem: Why Standard Printers Fail MICR

We’ve established the importance of using MICR ink. But why can’t you use MICR ink or toner with a standard office printer?

Ultimately, it comes down to engineering. Standard printer components aren’t calibrated to work with MICR. 

Even if the printer can technically use the ink/toner, there’s more to it than that. For a check to pass MICR standards, the MICR characters must be precisely aligned. 

Without proper alignment, the MICR reader won’t be able to interpret the check. Dedicated MICR printers include specialized firmware and components that ensure correct alignment of the MICR line.

The other issue with using MICR ink or toner in a standard printer is legibility. For the reader to detect the magnetic signal, the ink particles need to be of a certain density. 

MICR printers have specially designed fusers (for laser printers) or printheads (for inkjet printers) that ensure the right MICR ink density.

If your check doesn’t meet proper MICR standards, you risk serious consequences, including:

• Returned checks (and associated fees)
• Processing delays
• Increased risk of fraud
• Damage to your business reputation

Shop MICR toner designed for secure check printing.

So, What Kind of Printer Can Use MICR Ink?

Now that we’ve examined the problems of using MICR ink without a MICR printer, let’s look at some solutions. 

Dedicated MICR Printers

Dedicated MICR printers are the best choice for printing compliant MICR checks. 

These purpose-built printers include key features that ensure consistency and accuracy:

• Built-in MICR toner
• MICR font support
• Precisely calibrated components for MICR line alignment
• Specialized hardware and firmware
  

A dedicated MICR printer means you’ll print compliant MICR checks every time. Once you have your printer set up correctly, you can print thousands of checks without having to worry about printing issues.

Having said that, this consistency comes at a cost. 

Dedicated MICR printers can be expensive, especially if you need a high-volume model. They’re also single-purpose, making them a less versatile investment than a general office printer.

Standard Laser Printers with MICR Toner

Given the higher cost of dedicated MICR printers, using MICR toner with a standard laser printer is a common alternative.

In theory, this setup gives you the best of both worlds. The specialized MICR toner cartridge contains the required MICR toner, but it doesn’t require you to invest in a specialized printer. 

However, you should still check that your specific laser printer is compatible with MICR toner cartridges. Some printer models work better with MICR toner than others.

Additionally, you should be aware of the downsides. You’ll still need to purchase (and swap in/out) specialized MICR toner. You also risk printing checks that lack the precise alignment and toner density that banking regulations require.

Why Inkjets Are Generally Not Recommended for MICR

MICR ink does exist, so you can theoretically use an inkjet printer to produce MICR checks.

However, we don’t recommend this approach. Inkjets have some key limitations that make them a poor choice for MICR printing, especially on a large scale.

Mainly, ink is susceptible to smudging and temperature changes. This can result in illegible MICR characters that the bank’s MICR reader may reject.

Furthermore, ink produces less precise prints than toner. This is a serious concern when printing accurate MICR characters.

Talk to an expert about setting up MICR printing for your business.

Key Considerations When Acquiring MICR Printing Capabilities

Setting up MICR printing for your business is about more than choosing which type of toner to use. 

Here are some other important things to consider:

How many checks do you print?

The volume of checks you print heavily influences which kind of MICR printer setup is best.

If you only print a few checks per month, then you can probably get away with using MICR toner in a regular laser printer (as long as you’re aware of the risks).

If you’re printing thousands of checks per month, however, then you should strongly consider investing in a dedicated MICR printer.

Beyond MICR, what other check security features are important?

MICR technology is an important part of check security, but it isn’t the only factor. If you’re going to print your own checks in-house, be sure to consider:

• The physical security of the printer
• Using secure blank check stock
• Investing in a printer with a locking tray
• Securing access to your accounting software (which typically integrates with the MICR printer)
  

Ease of use

All the best MICR features in the world are irrelevant if the printer isn’t easy to use.

When purchasing a MICR printer, know that it may require some time to calibrate and set up. Additionally, you’ll need to set aside time to train any staff who will be using the MICR printer day-to-day.

Buying a high-quality MICR printer will make things easier here, as they generally come ready to use out of the box. Additionally, be sure to ask what kinds of customer support the MICR printer seller provides.

Importance of purchasing from reputable MICR solution providers

Whether you decide to use MICR toner or a dedicated MICR printer, be sure to purchase your MICR equipment from a reputable seller.

You don’t want to work with a company that sells shoddy or cheap MICR printers, as this could cost you down the line when the bank rejects your checks. 

Quality MICR solution providers will also offer expert customer support and resources in case you run into any issues.

Not sure which printer you need? View our MICR-compatible printers.

Frequently Asked Questions About MICR Ink

If you’re new to the world of MICR, it’s understandable to have questions. Here are answers to some common ones:

Can I just buy MICR ink and put it in my regular inkjet printer?

No, you cannot. To start, we don’t recommend printing checks with an inkjet printer. The MICR ink could smudge, making the characters unreadable.

Beyond this, dedicated MICR printers offer the most consistent and reliable way to print MICR checks.

Do I need special paper for MICR checks?

Yes! If you’re going to invest in MICR toner and/or a MICR printer, it’s important to use the right kind of paper. 

High-quality blank check stock has security features that prevent alteration and other forms of counterfeiting.

How do I know if my checks are MICR-compliant?

The best way to ensure your checks are MICR-compliant is to use MICR toner combined with a MICR printer and blank check stock.

Beyond these steps, you can often spot a non-compliant check just by looking. If the MICR line at the bottom of the check is smudged, faint, or inconsistently aligned, then the check is probably non-compliant.

Lastly, you can always send a test check to the bank for processing. They’ll quickly be able to tell you if the check has MICR compliance issues.

Is MICR still relevant with digital payments?

MICR may seem like an outdated technology in the age of digital payments. But the reality is quite different. 

MICR is still widely used in corporate finance, government, and banking. Its high level of security and wide acceptance mean that it continues to be the standard in any industry that uses checks.

Conclusion: Print with Confidence

We hope that this guide has shown you how important it is to use specialized equipment for printing compliant MICR checks.

When you print with MICR, you print with the confidence that your checks are secure and accepted by banks.

Talk to an expert about setting up MICR printing for your business.