What is MICR ?

The acronym "MICR" stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. MICR is a process by which documents are printed using magnetic ink and special fonts to create machine readable information for quick document processing. The principal purpose of MICR toner is to print accounting and routing information on bank checks and other negotiable documents. MICR Toner is the most integral component of MICR printing.

How is MICR Toner different from Laser Toner?

MICR toner contains an iron oxide that permits the "bank line" information of a check to be read by electronic bank processing equipment. MICR toner is similar to standard laser printer toner, but requires a 50% to 60% iron oxide additive content to meet ANSI specifications for readability standards.

How does MICR Technology work?

The MICR line is located at the bottom of all checks and contains and special font. This font consists of numbers 0-9 and 4 special symbols that indicate the check serial number, the Federal Reserve District from which the check should be cleared, account number, check number and amount of the check. This information is processed on a reader/sorter machine that magnetizes the MICR line, then reads the magnetic signals. Each character puts out a magnetic signal that identifies that character.