Do Aftermarket MICR Printers Perform As Well As OEM MICR Printers?

Small businesses, individuals and companies that process payroll in-house often look to check printing as a way to minimize costs - and, in some cases, to improve check security. There is some debate in the printer industry as to whether or not standard LaserJet printers should be used to print MICR - or check - data. MICR printer manufacturers encourage consumers to use only MICR printers to print checks and other secure financial data, while aftermarket MICR toner and check printing supply vendors say that most MICR data can be securely printed on most standard LaserJet printers, providing they have been correctly modified. Many individuals and small businesses have successfully modified their LaserJet printers to print MICR toner and produce high quality checks.

Aftermarket & Modified MICR Printers & Check Quality

MICR-equipped printers that have been modified by aftermarket suppliers or individuals are typically able to offer performance and print quality just as high as that of OEM MICR-ready printers, usually at a much lower cost. In order for aftermarket printers to perform well, however, they must be equipped with ABA and ANSI approved MICR font sets which have been calibrated correctly. Once MICR fonts are properly calibrated and compatible ABA/ANSI approved MICR toner is installed, an aftermarket LaserJet printer will produce checks with comparable quality to those printed by OEM MICR printers.

Differences Between OEM & Aftermarket MICR Printers

Whether an OEM or aftermarket MICR printer is right for you depends on how the printer will be used. Large companies printing high volumes of checks who are concerned about check security may find investing in OEM MICR printers worthwhile, while small businesses and individuals will find aftermarket MICR printers meet all their check printing needs.

OEM printers that are MICR equipped made by manufacturers such as Troy Group sometimes have additional security features which aftermarket printers may not have. A few of these added features include:

- Built-in MICR toner sensing which stops printing when the MICR cartridge is too low, preventing checks from being printed with inadequate ink.
- Disabled printer jam recovery. In some cases, checks can be forged by jamming the printer in an attempt to produce duplicate checks; disable printer jam recovery eliminates this risk.
- Secure locking trays which protect theft of check and financial document stock paper.
- Other additional security features.

Advantages of Using a MICR Printer Over Pre-Printed Checks

Small businesses and individuals looking to minimize the cost of checks may consider purchasing check stock with pre-printed MICR lines, eliminating the need for MICR printing. While this may save the upfront costs of MICR supplies and printers, it may end up costing more in the end. Pre-printed checks and check stock with pre-printed MICR lines is highly unsecure, and theft of this stock can easily turn into check fraud. Additionally, if bank account numbers, physical address, logo or any other check information change, you may be left with surplus preprinted checks or check stock, creating added expense.

Dan DeKorne is the owner of MICR Toner USA, a premiere online supplier of MICR toner cartridges and check printing supplies. Visit http://www.micrtonerusa.com to learn more about purchasing the right MICR printers, pressure seal check forms and other check printing supplies.

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