Troubleshooting MICR Font and Component Problems
The solutions provided below may solve MICR E-13B read errors and check
processing problems reported by banking institutions.
The solutions listed below have solved MICR print problems in our products,
which include the MICR
E-13B Font, the
.NET MICR Windows Forms and
ASP.NET MICR Server
Controls.
- Verify the correct horizontal and vertical placement of the MICR
E13B font symbols and their fields: Compare the MICR font output
to IDAutomation MICR font placement guidelines document (which is only
available if the MICR font is purchased from IDAutomation), obtain the
MICR Printed Image Specifications from the
American Bankers Association or a
check printing gauge from a banking institution. The alignment process
is simplified if the check stock contains a transit alignment symbol
as a watermark near the bottom; align the first bank routing or transit
symbol in the box. Not all check stock contains the transit alignment
symbol. Most of the
check stock
available from IDAutomation affiliates contains this symbol.

- Verify the quality of MICR toner: Some banks now use OCR
(Optical Character Recognition) to read the MICR font line on checks
and regular laser toner is somewhat magnetic. However,
MICR toner
must be used to conform to ISO, ANSI and ABA standards.
Be sure the toner is from a reputable source, such as IDAutomation
MICR Toner
Affiliates.
- Character spacing issues:
MICR images may print wider or narrower on some printers, paper and
under certain humidity conditions. MICR should be printed as close to
8 characters per inch (CPI) as possible. Use the following procedure
to test the spacing:
- Print the following string in MICR:
1-00022233344446666777888999000-1
- Measure the distance between the middle of the “1” characters.
The distance should be as close to 4 inches (10.16 CM) as possible.
Using this calibration method, the allowable tolerance is +/- 1/8
of an inch (.32 CM); which is between 3 7/8" and 4 1/8" (9.84 CM
and 10.48 CM).
- If the character spacing is outside of the tolerances, do one
of the following:
- When using IDAutomation
MICR components,
adjust the character spacing or width property.
- When using IDAutomation
MICR fonts,
try the narrow or wide version fonts or adjust the point size
(for example 12.25 points for wider printing).
- When using
PCL MICR fonts,
character spacing can be adjusted by setting the HMI for the
printer whenever the MICR font is selected.
- Have the printer's horizontal and vertical size calibrated.
- Design the printing software so the MICR fields, such as
the transit number and account number, print independently instead
of one long string of characters.
- Irregular character, stroke width or other read errors: Try
increasing or decreasing the print intensity, which is a property in
IDAutomation MICR components. When using fonts, try using the bold or
light versions of the
MICR font instead
of the normal version. When reported, this type of issue was the result
of strict MICR test equipment reports, although this did not cause a
MICR read error with bank reading equipment. Adjusting the print intensity
on the printer or in the print driver may also resolve the problem.
- Printer, paper, toner and drum quality: Slight defects in the
printer, paper, toner or drum may also cause irregular character, stroke width
or other read errors. Use only check stock made from virgin pulp and new high
quality MICR toner cartridges instead of recycled cartridges. Do not use
recycled paper, because certain particles embedded in the paper can cause
rejects.
- When creating custom check forms with Peachtree Complete Accounting,
the MICR font cannot be selected - Peachtree Complete Accounting
version 8 or greater is required to use the TrueType MICR font in reports
and custom forms. Please contact Peachtree tech support or refer to
the application's documentation for problems with custom forms.
- For general font issues, please refer to IDAutomation's
primary font
support site.
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