What Is MICR? Guide to the MICR Line, Check Printing & MICR Fonts

What Is MICR & How to Print Checks
MICR Check Printing Tips
MICR Toner Cartridges
Troubleshooting Print Quality Issues

Looking for MICR supplies? Shop our MICR toner guide and cartridge selection, or browse HP MICR toner for compatible HP LaserJet printers.

What Is MICR and How Does MICR Check Printing Work?

What Does MICR Stand For?

MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. MICR technology is commonly used for the numbers and special characters printed along the bottom of checks and other financial documents.

The MICR characters contain information used in check processing, including routing and account information. When properly printed, the MICR line can be read by compatible check-processing equipment.

What Is the MICR Line on a Check?

The MICR line on a check is the row of specially formatted numbers and symbols located along the bottom of the check. It commonly contains the bank routing number, account number, and other information used to identify and process the check.

MICR characters are designed so they can be recognized during automated check processing. This is why the correct MICR font, positioning, print quality, and magnetic toner are important when businesses print their own checks.

Can I Print My Own Checks?

Yes. Businesses can print their own checks using the proper printer, software, check stock, MICR font, and MICR toner cartridge.

For a typical laser check printing setup, you will need:

  1. A compatible monochrome laser printer
  2. A MICR toner cartridge made for your printer model
  3. Blank check paper or check stock
  4. A MICR font such as E-13B
  5. Check printing software or accounting software capable of producing your check layout

HP and Canon monochrome laser printers are among the commonly used choices for business check printing. The MICR toner cartridge must be matched to the specific printer model.

What Is MICR Toner?

MICR toner is specialized magnetic toner used to print the MICR characters found along the bottom of checks. Unlike ordinary laser toner, MICR toner is formulated with magnetic material that allows the printed characters to produce a magnetic signal for compatible check-processing equipment.

The word "ink" in Magnetic Ink Character Recognition can cause confusion because businesses using laser printers actually use toner, which is a powder rather than liquid ink. Learn more about the difference on our MICR Ink page.

What Is a MICR Font?

A MICR font creates the specially shaped numbers and symbols used in the MICR line. For U.S. business checks, E-13B is the MICR character style commonly associated with check processing.

Using the correct font is only part of producing the MICR line. The characters must also be positioned correctly and printed clearly with appropriate MICR toner.

Do I Need MICR Toner to Print Checks?

For businesses producing checks intended for reliable automated processing, we recommend using the proper MICR toner cartridge for the laser printer being used. MICR toner provides the magnetic properties associated with the MICR line, while ordinary toner is designed for standard document printing.

Checks with poorly printed or incorrectly positioned MICR characters can create processing problems, so print quality and proper setup are important.

Need help choosing supplies? Call us toll free at 800-260-9809 from 8:00am to 4:00pm Central time.

MICR Check Printing Tips

These simple steps can help maintain consistent print quality when printing checks with a laser printer and MICR toner:

  • Keep a backup MICR toner cartridge available. This can prevent downtime if your current cartridge runs out unexpectedly or develops a problem.
  • Store toner cartridges properly. Keep cartridges horizontally in their protective bag and box in a cool, dry location away from excessive light and moisture.
  • Keep the laser printer clean. Paper dust and toner can accumulate inside the printer and affect print quality. Follow the printer manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures.
  • Avoid economy or draft print modes when printing the MICR line. Reduced toner density can result in characters that are too light. Use the printer's normal print-quality setting unless your specific check-printing setup requires otherwise.
  • Check the first few checks in every new print run. This is especially important after changing bank information, check layouts, software settings, printers, or toner cartridges.
  • Inspect the MICR line carefully. Make sure the numbers and symbols are complete, clearly printed, and positioned correctly.
  • Keep unrelated printing out of the MICR clear band. Logos, signatures, text, graphics, or other marks should not interfere with the MICR characters at the bottom of the check.

What Is the MICR Clear Band?

The MICR clear band is the area along the bottom of a check reserved for the MICR line. The bottom 5/8 inch should be kept clear of unrelated printing that could interfere with the MICR characters.

When reviewing a printed check, make sure signatures, graphics, text from a lower check stub, or other elements have not accidentally entered this area.

MICR Toner Cartridge Questions

How Do I Find the Correct MICR Toner Cartridge for My Printer?

Search using your laser printer model number, such as an HP LaserJet model, or the toner cartridge part number. MICR toner cartridges are printer-specific and should not be treated as universal cartridges.

You can start with our MICR Toner page to browse supported printer brands. HP LaserJet users can also shop our HP MICR Toner collection by cartridge or printer model.

If you cannot determine which cartridge fits your printer, call our technical support team at 1-800-260-9809.

Can MICR Toner Be Used for Regular Printing?

MICR toner can also print ordinary black text and graphics. Some businesses keep the MICR cartridge installed in a dedicated check printer so there is less risk of accidentally printing the MICR line with ordinary toner.

Can I Use MICR Ink in an Inkjet Printer?

Magnetic ink products for some inkjet applications exist, but Laser Cartridge Plus specializes in MICR toner cartridges for compatible laser printers. Toner is a powder used by laser printers, while inkjet printers use liquid ink.

For business check printing, we recommend a compatible monochrome laser printer with the MICR toner cartridge designed for that printer.

Can I Use MICR Toner in a Color Laser Printer?

We recommend a compatible monochrome laser printer for MICR check printing rather than relying on a standard color LaserJet toner system. Color laser printers use different toner formulations and cartridge systems, and standard black color-laser toner should not be treated as MICR toner.

If you want color on your checks, consider using appropriately designed blank check paper while using the proper monochrome laser printer and MICR toner for the MICR line.

MICR Toner & Check Printing Troubleshooting

Why Are My Pages Blank After Installing a New Toner Cartridge?

A new cartridge may have a shipping seal or protective material that must be removed before use. Follow the cartridge installation instructions and your printer manufacturer's directions before printing.

Can I Keep Printing Checks After a Toner Low Warning?

We recommend replacing the MICR cartridge before continuing to print checks after a Toner Low warning. As the cartridge approaches empty, print density can decrease, which is particularly undesirable when printing the MICR line.

If usable toner remains, the cartridge may still be suitable for less critical ordinary documents, but a fresh MICR cartridge is the safer choice for check printing.

Some compatible or remanufactured cartridges may also produce a Toner Low or cartridge-status message depending on the printer and cartridge chip configuration. If the warning appears immediately after installing a new cartridge, contact us for assistance.

Why Does My MICR Printing Have White Streaks or Faded Areas?

White streaks or faded areas can indicate low toner, uneven toner distribution, a print-density setting that is too light, or another cartridge or printer issue.

Check your printer settings and the manufacturer's troubleshooting instructions. If appropriate for your cartridge, removing it and gently rocking it from side to side while holding it horizontally may redistribute the remaining toner.

Why Is My MICR Printing Too Light?

If a newly installed cartridge prints very lightly, check that all shipping seals and protective materials have been removed. If the cartridge has already been in use, it may be approaching empty or the printer's density setting may be too light.

Also make sure the printer is not operating in an economy, toner-save, or draft mode when printing checks.

Why Does the Page Have Gray Shading or a Dirty Background?

Gray backgrounding can have several causes, including an overly dark density setting, excess toner or debris inside the printer, cartridge-related issues, or environmental conditions.

Very low humidity can increase static electricity and may contribute to backgrounding with some laser printers and toner formulations. If the problem appears seasonally during dry winter conditions, check the printer manufacturer's recommended operating environment and humidity range.

Why Is a Spot Repeating Down the Printed Page?

A repeating mark can indicate debris, damage, or contamination on a rotating component such as the imaging drum. Follow your printer or cartridge manufacturer's cleaning and troubleshooting instructions.

Avoid touching the imaging drum with your fingers, as oils from your skin can damage or contaminate its surface. If the problem continues after basic troubleshooting, replace the cartridge or contact us for assistance.

More Help With MICR Check Printing

Laser Cartridge Plus has supplied MICR toner and check printing supplies since 1995. If you need help finding the correct MICR toner cartridge or troubleshooting your check printing setup, call us at 800-260-9809 during our business hours.

Ready to shop? Browse MICR toner cartridges, HP MICR toner, or blank check paper for your check printing setup.