| The MICR toner cartridge is used in printing checks in | | | | document would be rejected. That in turn would cause |
| such a way as to prevent fraud. How is this done? | | | | the processing time of the document to be increased |
| The toner inside the cartridge is formulated with a | | | | and questions to be asked. |
| special type of magnetic iron oxide which in turn | | | | Another reason for the need for speed is the sheer |
| causes the characters that are printed on the paper to | | | | volume of checks that go through banks every year. If |
| emit a unique magnetic signal. These signals are then | | | | a method was not found to speed up the processing |
| read by a machine that reads and sorts checks or | | | | of checks then it would be impossible for an individual |
| other documents that have characters printed with this | | | | to receive his, or her funds, in a timely manner. In other |
| ink as a security measure. | | | | words the banking industry desperately needed to find |
| The acronym MICR stands for magnetic ink character | | | | a way to automate the processing of checks before |
| recognition. Printing with this sort of ink answers a | | | | they found themselves drowning in them. |
| need for ensuring accuracy, speed in processing, and | | | | Printing MICR characters on the bottom of checks |
| security. This need is found especially in the banking | | | | enhances the security of the account it is drawn on. It |
| industry, but is also used in the insurance industry for | | | | aids in the prevention of check fraud as the numbers |
| the printing of receipts, by the airlines in the printing of | | | | and the symbols printed without magnetic properties at |
| their tickets, and in the events ticketing industry as well. | | | | the bottom of the check could not be read by the |
| Precision is also a requirement if the documents or | | | | reader/sorter machine. |
| checks are to be read correctly. That includes the right | | | | Other MICR toners are specially formulated to prevent |
| formulation of the toner to produce the correct signal | | | | the chemical alteration of documents as well. If it is |
| strength. Standards regarding fonts, their size, and the | | | | attempted then a stain of red, or other colored, ink is |
| placement of characters on the document must also | | | | spread across the page rendering the document all but |
| be followed precisely or the document in question may | | | | useless for what was intended |
| not be accepted by the reader. The standards that | | | | MICR toner has been developed in response to a |
| are followed often depend on the country that the | | | | need for security, speed, and accuracy in the |
| transaction requiring that special ink is made in. | | | | processing of checks and other documents. The |
| Size and placement of characters are also related to | | | | magnetic charge that is in the toner allows it to be |
| the speed in which the documents are processed. If | | | | read by machines that are designed to do the task. |
| the characters are wrong size or have been printed a | | | | Thus much needed automation was introduced into |
| little off then the reader machine will be unable to | | | | the processing of checks and other industries. |
| interpret the characters correctly and then the | | | | |