Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) toner for Lexmark printers is special toner. It prints characters readable by a bank's check scanning machine. Choose this type of toner to print your own checks, and the bank won't reject your checks as unreadable. Banks, credit unions and large national corporations require you to print the bank numbers at the bottom of self-printed checks with magnetic ink or toner. When you print your own checks, you save money compared to the price of pre-printed checks.

MICR toner contains a high concentration of iron oxide, which allows magnetic scanners the ability to read the ink. You need other special equipment and supplies to print your own checks, if you haven't done so before. You need the following things to print your own checks:

1. A computer and check printing software

2. Either an MICR laser printer and MICR toner or an inkjet printer and an MICR inkjet cartridge

3. Blank check paper stock

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find Lexmark MICR toner cartridges online

If you have a Lexmark laser printer, buy an MICR toner cartridge to fit your Lexmark printer. Toner will settle and cause the signal strength to vary over the life of the cartridge. To combat this, choose one with an iron oxide signal strength of at least 100, even though the American Banking Association requires only 50.

I recommend: Purchase Lexmark MICR toner from inkpal.com, where you get free shipping on large orders and a 6-month guarantee on products. Buy Lexmark MICR toner from OnlineSupplyStore.com, where they have online support and assistance.

Buy Lexmark magnetic ink cartridges for inkjet printers

If you have an inkjet printer, you can't use MICR toner. You need magnetic inkjet cartridges with special magnetic ink for inkjet printers. These are harder to find than MICR toner, but will print the magnetic characters the bank requires.

I recommend: Buy VersaInk magnetic ink cartridges for Lexmark inkjet printers from G7 Productivity Systems, Inc., the company who created them and can answer all your questions about this new form of ink. Purchase magnetic ink refills from Provantage, where they have low prices and a secure advanced order processing system.

Purchase Lexmark MICR toner from a check-printing solution vendor

Order toner from the same vendor where you order your blank check stock; it's convenient, saves money on shipping and ensures the toner is adequate to adhere to the paper stock. This type of vendor will be able to answer your questions, solve your problems with the check-printing process and ensure you are taking all of the steps necessary for security.

I recommend: OrderPrinterSupplies.com, sells MICR toner, MICR printers and other check-printing supplies. They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, free shipping offer on larger toner and inkjet cartridge orders, fast easy returns and same day shipping. Ganson Engineering, Inc., offers high-quality MICR toner cartridges compatible with Lexmark printers. Their toner is ISO 9001 Certified and they run stringent tests on both the toner and the cartridges to ensure consistent high quality with a defect rate of less than 1/2%.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't leave MICR inkjet ink or toner cartridges in a parked vehicle or on the windowsill of your office. Heat from the sun can damage both kinds of cartridges.