Production Printing: Cut Sheet vs. Continuous Feed Printers

When it comes to industrial or production printing, one of the most important decisions you'll face is choosing the right type of printer for your needs. If you're unfamiliar, there are really only two options: cut sheet and continuous feed printers. Both have their strengths, but their applications vary. One print job may be better for a cut sheet printer, while another may be better with a continuous feed printer. 

However, when it comes to MICR check printing, using the wrong solution could cause issues that cost your company time and money. It's important to know the basics before deciding which printer to use for high-volume MICR printing jobs, so let's dive into the key differences. 

Cut Sheet Printing 

Cut sheet printers are easier to understand and typically easier to use. Cut sheet printers use individual sheets of paper, loaded into the printer. Each sheet is processed separately, making it ideal for tasks requiring precision and variability, such as invoices, marketing materials, checks, vehicle titles, and more. These printers are known for their flexibility and can handle a diverse range of paper types and sizes, from standard letter formats to specialty media. 

Continuous Feed Printing 

On the other hand, a continuous feed printer handles a single, long roll of paper that feeds through the machine without interruption. This type of printer is often associated with high-volume printing environments where speed outweighs customization. Examples include commercial statements, utility bills, or transaction documents.

Both technologies serve specific purposes, but not all users require the same capabilities. When it comes to MICR check printing, here's a closer look at the areas where cut sheet printers hold the edge.

Cut Sheet vs. Continuous Feed: How Do They Compare?

Versatility & Precision

One of the standout features of cut sheet printers is their versatility. These machines support a variety of media types, paper weights, and finishing options, allowing you to customize the output to meet specific needs. Whether you're printing formal presentations, intricate designs, or high-quality photographs, cut-sheet printers provide the consistency and detail you need.

Conversely, continuous feed printers are optimized for repetitive, large-scale jobs using uniform materials. While they excel in high-volume efficiency, they lack the adaptability required for smaller or more diverse print runs. 

When it comes to large check printing jobs - variable data printing is usually required. Checks need different account numbers, payee names, and amounts. On a continuous feed printer, simple changes like this could increase voids & errors, which wastes time, money & resources because of the challenge of changing paper rolls. 

For businesses and individuals with varied printing requirements, cut sheet printers are far more practical. The ability to easily switch between jobs and paper types gives them a clear advantage.

Our customer, Michigan's DTMB (Department of Technology, Management, and Budget) ran into this exact issue during their check printing process. Skip to 1:30 in our below case study to hear about continuous feed issues. 

Ease of Use

Cut sheet printers are designed with convenience in mind, which makes them approachable for users at any skill level. Loading individual sheets in a stack is straightforward, and most models allow you to print on demand without a complex setup. Modern cut sheet printers often come equipped with intuitive interfaces and advanced options, such as duplex printing and automation features, further simplifying the process.

On the other hand, continuous feed printers involve a steeper learning curve. Managing paper rolls, configuring settings, and troubleshooting potential jams require more technical expertise. Of course, a dedicated printer operator would oversee and potentially fix print job errors, but 

Cost-Effectiveness

When considering cost, it's not just the initial purchase price that matters but also the ongoing operational expenses. Cut sheet printers typically have a lower upfront cost compared to continuous feed machines. They’re also more economical for low- to mid-volume printing tasks, as they don’t require specialized paper rolls or heavy-duty maintenance.

Continuous feed printers, while efficient for very high volumes, can lead to higher supply costs when handling smaller jobs or varied paper types. 

Superior Print Quality

Cut sheet printers are engineered for high-resolution output, often producing crisp, professional-grade prints. For industries where presentation matters—marketing, design, legal, or creative services—this level of quality is non-negotiable. The precision afforded by cut sheet printers ensures accurate color reproduction and clear, sharp text.

Continuous feed printers, while speedy, generally prioritize volume over fine detail. This trade-off makes them less suitable for applications demanding top-tier quality.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of cut sheet printers align with the requirements of a wide array of industries. From producing brochures and personalized direct mail to creating labels or high-quality business documents, these printers deliver exceptional flexibility.

Continuous feed printers are frequently used in niche environments, such as large-scale billing operations and manufacturing. While their capacity for nonstop production is impressive, the use cases are more limited compared to the adaptable cut sheet technology.

TROY's Cut Sheet Production Print Solution

Like we've said before, the differences between cut sheet and continuous feed printers really count in the production printing space. TROY has several cut-sheet production MICR print offerings that meet & exceed all of the standards for security & compliance for check printing.

Our AccurioPress MICR series developed in partnership with Konica Minolta make up the largest selection of high-volume production printers on the market, and are the only production MICR printers equipped with MICR Toner Secure, TROY's patented solution for securing checks from fraud attempts. Any check printed with MICR Toner Secure will bleed red if check washing is attempted, which renders the check unusable. 

Not only does MICR Toner Secure protect checks from fraud attempts, but it also meets the necessary security and compliance standards needed for state & federal government check printing. 

The exact IRS mandate checks need to comply with is Publication 1075. Pub 1075 provides guidelines for U.S. government agencies and their agents to protect Federal Tax Information by implementing appropriate policies and safeguards. MICR Toner Secure helps meet that requirement by exceeding ANSI and ABA banking standards with high adhesion and high readability. 

Why Cut Sheet Printers Are the Smarter Investment

For most businesses, cut sheet printers provide unmatched adaptability, ease of use, and cost efficiency. Their focus on precision and quality makes them an indispensable tool for producing polished, professional materials. While continuous feed printers have a role in highly specialized, high-volume settings, their lack of versatility and higher operational complexity renders them less practical for printing large check volumes. 

When deciding which printer best suits your high-volume check printing needs, think about  variable print options, the importance of quality & compliance, your time & your costs.

If you're business is looking for an easy-to-operate cut sheet production MICR printer, look no further than TROY's AccurioPress MICR Series. 

With a diverse range of options, you'll find an production MICR printer that fits your business.

Click here to get more info.