Can HP Color LaserJet Print MICR on Checks? A Compatibility Guide
Kory BixlerShare
It’s easier than ever these days to print your own business checks. With the right equipment and a bit of setup, the process is fairly straightforward.
Still, printing business checks in-house requires some initial investment in a MICR printer and MICR toner. Because of this, it’s natural to wonder if you can use an existing office printer like the HP Color LaserJet.
The short answer is no, you can’t use an HP Color LaserJet printer to print MICR checks.
But why is this? That’s what we’ll cover in the rest of this guide. Below, we’ll examine:
- What MICR is, and why it’s required for printing checks
- Why you can’t use MICR toner with HP Color LaserJet printers
- MICR-compatible options for HP printers
- The risks of using non-MICR toner to print checks
- Alternatives to printing checks with an HP Color LaserJet printer
- How to print checks safely with an HP printer
What Is MICR and Why Is It Required for Checks?
Before we get into the specifics of printing checks with the HP Color LaserJet Pro, let’s take a brief detour into the world of MICR printing.
MICR stands for “Magnetic Ink Character Recognition”. It’s a foundational technology to secure check printing and processing.
The account number, routing number, and check number are all printed using a special toner or ink that contains magnetic iron oxide particles.
The magnetic ink, combined with a special font, creates machine-readable characters. This enables the bank to rapidly process checks using a machine called a MICR reader.
Because of these specialized requirements, you can’t use standard toner or ink to print business checks.
You must use MICR toner to comply with check printing standards such as ANSI X9.100-160. Otherwise, the bank might reject your checks (more on this later).
Can HP Color LaserJet Printers Use MICR Toner?
You can purchase MICR toner online from a variety of sellers. Therefore, you may assume that you can use MICR toner with any printer that accepts toner cartridges.
However, there’s more to MICR printing than toner. To comply with banking standards, the MICR line on checks must be precisely aligned and have the right density of toner. Otherwise, the bank’s MICR reader might reject it.
By default, HP printers are not sold with the specialized hardware and firmware required for compliant MICR printing.
HP does make some printers (such as the HP LaserJet Pro M404) that work with third-party MICR toner cartridges.
HP Color LaserJet printers, however, are not recommended or certified to work with MICR toner. There are a couple of reasons why.
First, these printers lack the precise MICR-alignment features of some other models. So, even if you install a MICR toner cartridge, you risk printing checks that will fail MICR reading.
Additionally, only monochrome printers are typically used for MICR printing. So a color model like the HP Color LaserJet isn’t an appropriate choice.
MICR-Compatible Options for HP Printers
We’ve established the pitfalls of using an HP Color LaserJet printer for MICR checks.
Now, let’s look at some MICR-compatible HP printers, as well as the other tools you need for MICR printing.
What You Need for MICR Printing
To start printing your own MICR checks, you’ll need a few pieces of equipment.
The first thing is a compatible MICR printer. If you’re committed to using an HP model, your two main options are:
- HP LaserJet Pro M404
- HP LaserJet Enterprise series (with TROY conversion)
Both of these models will work with MICR, but they do require some upgrades.
TROY Group is HP’s official partner for turning standard HP printers into MICR printers. TROY takes HP’s printers and adds the required MICR fonts, MICR toner, and firmware for secure check printing.
Besides a MICR printer, you’ll also need:
- A MICR toner cartridge from a certified provider (such as TROY, Rosetta, or ACOM)
- Blank check stock
- Check printing software (such as QuickBooks or VersaCheck)
The Risks of Using Non-MICR Toner
After reading the steps required to print MICR checks, you may be inclined to skip using MICR toner altogether.
However, we strongly discourage this for the following reasons:
Bank rejection of checks
Banks rely on MICR to accurately process checks. If you print and use a non-MICR check, the bank could reject it.
Slower clearing process
Another advantage of MICR is fast, automated check processing.
Even if the bank can clear your check without MICR, they might have to manually process it. This can lead to frustrating delays.
Potential compliance issues in audits
MICR is part of complying with national financial standards such as ANSI X9.100-160.
While there aren’t specific legal penalties for not using MICR, banks still require it. Failure to comply with MICR standards could raise red flags during audits, even if your business hasn’t broken the law.
Plus, the bank could charge you a fee for rejected checks.
Higher fraud risk
MICR is designed to make checks more secure.
Specifically, the magnetic characters are difficult to alter. If a fraudster tries to tamper with the MICR information on the check, the bank’s MICR reader will reject it.
Therefore, you’re exposing your business to increased fraud risk if you don’t use MICR.
Alternatives: MICR-Ready Printers and Services
If upgrading an existing HP printer sounds like too much of a hassle, there are easier alternatives.
Our top recommendation is to purchase a MICR-ready printer from TROY Group, such as the:
These printers combine HP’s printer design with TROY’s specialized MICR upgrades.
Alternatively, you can outsource your MICR check printing to a third-party service.
How to Print Checks Safely with an HP Printer
To close out this guide, let’s go over the steps you should follow to safely print checks with an HP printer.
To start, gather your materials. You’ll need:
MICR toner
You can purchase compatible cartridges online from a variety of sellers. Be sure to buy from a reputable company to avoid compliance issues.
Check stock paper
We recommend using secure blank check stock to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or fraud.
Check layout software
Proper alignment of the MICR line is critical to produce compliant checks. Check layout software, such as QuickBooks or VersaCheck, can help you align the MICR line correctly.
Secure print settings
Because you’re printing sensitive financial information such as your bank account number, make sure the print is encrypted.
Your MICR printer and check printing software should have built-in features that encrypt/decrypt the data when it’s sent over the network.
Once you have all the right equipment, it’s time to print a few test checks. Inspect them carefully for printing errors, and verify that your bank and business information are accurate.
You can also bring a check to your bank to confirm it’s printed correctly.
Once you’ve done the above, you’re ready to print MICR checks for all your business payment needs.
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
We hope this guide has answered your questions about using an HP Color LaserJet printer for MICR.
To recap, HP Color LaserJet printers are not built for MICR, and we don’t recommend using them.
If you’re planning to print checks in-house, invest in MICR-certified hardware.
Otherwise, consider outsourcing or using a B&W MICR-compatible HP printer such as the HP LaserJet Pro M404 or HP LaserJet Enterprise series (with TROY conversion).