Issue/Symptom/Question

We need to order check stock and need to know the specifications for form layoutsthat use PENTAChecks. 

Applies To

Form Information - Payroll and Accounts Payable Check stock

PENTAChecks

Resolution/Fix/Answer

PENTAChecks laser-prints MICR encoded accounts payable and payroll checks onto blank form stock directly from PENTA. PENTAChecks prints all check information onto blank form stock:

• MICR encoding
• Issuing-company information
• Name and address
• Logo (optional)
• Bank information
• Name and address
• Logo (optional)
• Bank Number
• Account Number
• "On-Us" coding
• Signature block (optional)

User-controlled adjustment of MICR code positioning allows support of various PostScript-compatible printers. PENTAChecks automatically assigns and prints check numbers and fully integrates with PENTA security and payment control features.

Prerequisites

• Check form graphics such as issuing company and bank logos, and authorized signatures encoded in your PENTA database. You will forward electronic images of the issuing company logo and bank logo to Penta Technologies who will load them into your database. You will provide Penta Technologies with a completed authorized signature document that will be scanned and loaded into your database. Penta Technologies will provide you with the appropriate signature document.
• MICR encoding specifications from your bank(s).
• Blank check form stock – 8.5” x 11” check on bottom with minimum 2.5/8” check printing area. We recommend printing some checks to plain paper to use as examples when selecting check stock. These checks should be representative of your normal processing and include recipient addresses with the maximum number of lines (5 for Payroll, 6 for Accounts Payable) to ensure the check portion of selected stock accommodates the full print area.
• PostScript-compatible printer capable of meeting MICR requirements.
• The American National Standard for Financial Services X9.13 Placement and Location of Magnetic Ink Printing specifies:
  “The MICR print band is a 0.250 inch high band, which shall begin at 0.1875 inch from the aligning edge and shall end at 0.4375 inch from the aligning edge. This is a reference measurement, not subject to the +-0.0625 inch cutting tolerance. Measured horizontally, the MICR print band shall begin at 0.3125 inch from the leading edge and shall extend to 8.4375 inch maximum from the leading edge. This horizontal measurement is subject to the +-0.0625 inch cutting tolerance.”
• The “aligning edge” in the specification is the bottom edge of the check form. The “leading edge” is the right-hand edge.
• Magnetic Toner must meet individual and federal bank check handling requirements.
• Note: Regular toner often has some magnetic properties. If you do not plan to issue large quantities of laser checks and use the same printers for checks, you should submit test checks printed with normal toner to your bank to determine whether it will approve the checks.
• You have set up Organization Units.
• You have set up Bank information.
• You have set up Cash Account information.