TROY Group MICR Basics Handbook - Manual (Page 3)

Table of Contents
MICR Basics Handbook -- Document #50-70300-001 Rev. C
TOC-1
Section 1 – Understanding MICR
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1-1
Reference Documents .................................................................................................................... 1-1
Year 2000 Compliance .................................................................................................................. 1-1
What is MICR Printing? ....................................................................................................................... 1-1
MICR History ....................................................................................................................................... 1-1
International MICR Standards .............................................................................................................. 1-2
How MICR Works................................................................................................................................ 1-2
The MICR Check.................................................................................................................................. 1-2
Check Size ..................................................................................................................................... 1-3
The MICR Line.............................................................................................................................. 1-3
Amount Field ................................................................................................................................. 1-4
On-Us Field ................................................................................................................................... 1-4
Transit Field................................................................................................................................... 1-4
EPC (External Processing Field) ................................................................................................... 1-4
Auxiliary On-Us Field ................................................................................................................... 1-4
MICR Line Placement – The Clear Band ............................................................................................. 1-5
Other Check Elements .......................................................................................................................... 1-5
Your Bank’s Concerns.......................................................................................................................... 1-6
The Bank Specification Form ............................................................................................................... 1-6
Where to Get More Help with MICR ................................................................................................... 1-6
Section 2 – Creating MICR Documents
MICR Formatting Standards................................................................................................................. 2-1
Check Layout........................................................................................................................................ 2-2
Digitized Signature Placement ............................................................................................................. 2-3
Section 3 – MICR Quality Control
Using the TROY MICR Document Template ...................................................................................... 3-1
Check Quality Requirements ................................................................................................................ 3-2
Dimension...................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Irregular Edge ................................................................................................................................ 3-2
Voids.............................................................................................................................................. 3-2
Uniformity ..................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Extraneous Toner........................................................................................................................... 3-2
Extraneous Toner (back of document)........................................................................................... 3-2
Signal Level ................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Alignment ...................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Spacing .......................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Skew .............................................................................................................................................. 3-2
Document Testing Services .................................................................................................................. 3-3
Technical Support................................................................................................................................. 3-3
Section 4 – Selecting Paper Stock and MICR Toner
Selecting Paper Stock ........................................................................................................................... 4-1
Basis Weight.................................................................................................................................. 4-2
Stiffness ......................................................................................................................................... 4-2
Grain Direction .............................................................................................................................. 4-2
Moisture......................................................................................................................................... 4-3
Porosity .......................................................................................................................................... 4-3
Security Paper................................................................................................................................ 4-3
Smoothness .................................................................................................................................... 4-3
Reflectance .................................................................................................................................... 4-3
Tear ................................................................................................................................................ 4-3