What is MICR Toner? A Guide for Check Printing

MICR stands for Magentic Ink Character Recognition, and it plays a critical role in check printing. If you're printing checks for your business, you should always be using MICR toner. But what is MICR toner? Why it a necessity for organizations involved in check production, and what is the best MICR toner for check printing? 

Let's dive into these questions in this blog.

What is MICR Toner?

MICR toner is a specialized type of toner needed for check printing that contains magnetic properties. These iron oxide particles found within the toner allow bank machines to read characters on checks with high precision. The lower portion of a check, referred to as the MICR line, encodes important info like routing and account numbers must be printed using this toner.

To make things even more strict, MICR lines must be printed in the standard E-13B or CMC-7 MICR fonts.

This technology ensures compatibility with financial systems that rely on magnetic recognition to process checks, meeting strict standards set by banking institutions to streamline their automated processes.

Why Is MICR Toner Important?

If you're a business that's printing checks, you should always be using MICR toner.

Accuracy is critical in check printing, where errors could mean delayed payments or compromised security. Printing with standard toner, or printing with poor quality MICR toner can lead to delays and hefty fees. Here’s why businesses opt for this specialized toner over conventional options:

• Compliance with Banking Standards: Financial institutions demand high-quality printing that adheres to guidelines to ensure compatibility with automated systems. Standard toner won’t meet these rigorous specifications, risking delays & rejected checks.
  
  
• Efficient Processing: Checks printed with MICR toner are scanned quickly and accurately in high-speed processing machines, so checks can accurately be deposited into the correct accounts in a timely manner.
  
  
• Regulatory Requirements: MICR technology ensures compliance with ANSI and ABA standards, making it indispensable for producing checks that meet legal criteria.

To learn all of the ANSI requirements of check printing, click here.

MICR Toner Vs. MICR Ink

MICR ink can also be used for check printing, but if you're printing high volumes of checks, MICR toner is what you'll need. MICR ink is more prone to smudging and smearing because of the use of liquid ink. In addition, inkjet printers are typically slower to print than laser printers which use toner to print images onto paper. To learn all the differences between the two, read our blog here. 

Best MICR Toner for Check Printing

With check fraud becoming an increasingly common threat, nearly doubling year over year since 2021, protecting financial documents is more vital than ever. Printing with MICR toner may allow your company to meet banking standards, but it will not protect checks from fraud techniques like check washing or scraping – a common technique where fraudsters and criminals steal checks out of mailboxes, erase payee names & amounts, and alter them to be put money into their own pockets.

TROY Group provides industry-leading solutions with its patented MICR Toner Secure, the only MICR toner in the world designed specifically to prevent check fraud. Here’s why TROY Group is the trusted choice for secure check printing

• Exclusive Anti-Tamper Technology: TROY’s MICR Toner Secure includes a patented anti-fraud technology, making it nearly impossible to alter or tamper with documents after printing. If checks are washed with chemicals, MICR Toner Secure bleeds red, alerting the bank - and the criminals washing the check - that the check has been ruined and cannot be deposited.
  
  
• Rigorous Testing: Each MICR toner secure cartridge undergoes exhaustive testing to guarantee superior adhesion to the page. This ensures that the MICR line stays intact under various handling conditions, offering lasting quality and reliability.
  
  
• Optimal MICR Image Quality: TROY’s toner delivers crisp, precise characters that meet bank and financial institution standards. These clear and magnetic-readable prints minimize the risk of processing errors or check rejection.
  
  

TROY & HP OEM MICR Solutions: 

With our exclusive HP OEM partnership, TROY is the only manufacturer authorized to enhance HP's hardware and consumables like printers and toner cartridges for secure check printing. TROY's MICR Toner Secure cartridges are precision matched to HP printers, and will never void your warranty with HP. Each TROY HP MICR printer comes with a MICR Toner Secure cartridge that offers a page yield that matches your print volume. 

Learn more about TROY's total check printing solution here. 

Choose the only secure MICR Toner

Whether you’re running a small operation or handling large-scale financial tasks, using the right tools for secure document printing is non-negotiable. MICR technology is more than just printing; it’s about achieving accuracy, compliance, and security with every check.

TROY Group’s MICR Toner Secure stands as the industry’s top choice for businesses committed to excellence. Featuring robust security measures and seamless compatibility, it’s a solution trusted by professionals around the globe.