Check-Printing Machines Key Terms

Get familiar with the key terms when finding check-printing solutions for your business

By Nikki Davis

Printing your own checks can be cost-effective for your business, but you have to be aware of the fraud risks. Only by understanding the terms, phrases and elements involved in the process can you see where potential scammers can take advantage of your weak areas to duplicate your checks and/or drain your accounts. Understand the features of the machine you are purchasing, as well as the paper you are buying, before you commit to printing your own checks. Learn more about these check-printing machines key terms: magnetic ink character recognition, ABA and ANSI printing standards, check fraud, payment run, pantograph check designs and watermarks.

Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)

Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) is a specified character set that can be read electronically by banks receiving and cashing or depositing the checks. It is the bank standard as defined by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI).
Try: Look at the magnetic ink character recognition information provided by InfoPrint Solutions. Elfring Fonts also gives helpful information on printing using MICR.

ABA and ANSI printing standards

American Bankers Association (ABA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) printing standards are U.S. banking standards for bank checks and paper-based drafts. The ANSI standard is X9.27-1995, and if your check is not calibrated properly, you will have check rejections when certain numbers are not paired together correctly.
Try: Learn more about the American Bankers Association and the American National Standards Institute. Find out how the IDAutomation.com MICR E13B Font Advantage Package can help you adhere to ABA and ANSI printing standards.

Check fraud

As you purchase your check-printing machine, one of your top goals should be to avoid check fraud. Check fraud is the manipulation of a check by means of desktop publishing to create a duplicate or duplicates of checks to cash in exchange for that value of money.
Try: Find out about four different types of check fraud and more from the National Check Fraud Center.

Payment run

Making a single payment run means printing your check, sending your electronic (ACH) payments or delivering your pay stubs in one process via automated software. This will increase efficiency, reduce costs and reduce exposure to check fraud because it is all being done at one time during one process.
Try: Use payment management software from ACOM Solutions to make swift payment runs for your business each time.

Pantograph check designs

Pantograph check designs are a security design feature that involve printing with graduated colors.
Try: Visit Printerm Datascribe to see how pantograph check designs are used on checks.

Watermarks

Check watermarks are a design feature that help with the security of your check printing. Some cannot be copied. They can be seen when the document is held at an angle and will turn a different color when the document is held under a blacklight.
Try: Learn more about check paper security features, including watermarks, from Hackers Home Page, which explores vulnerabilities of customer-owned machinery.