Check printing machines education and training is important if you plan to have the latest equipment in your business. A personal check printing machine not only saves you time but also ensures submission of correct checks. To utilize your check printing device properly, you will need to learn all that you can about the check printing equipment you plan to purchase. Not only will you need the skills and knowledge, you must also train your employees how to use your equipment to ensure it stays in working condition.

There are numerous ways to get the training you need for check printer machines. Utilizing all sources such as vendors, training guides and learning about the various types of machines available is the way to start. The goal in any business is to gain profits while cutting cost and saving time. An electronic printer machine can do all of that.

1. Start with company vendors that specialize in check printing printers.

2. Read training guides and manuals on check printing automation.

3. Learn about the various types of check printer machines available.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Gain knowledge from representative companies who sell check printer machines

There are many styles of check printer machines you can use, such as a MICR check printing machine. Choose a vendor that specializes in check printing equipment so you can gain knowledge about the variety of styles and types.

I recommend: AP Technology informs you how their product works as well as a demo you can view. Troy Group has a demonstration video showing you how to use their products as well as a toll free customer service line to answer your questions.

Use guides and training manuals on an electronic check printer machine

Training guides and manuals are an excellent source to help you learn about your check printer machine or about the one you plan to purchase. Use them to gain knowledge of how the check printing automation works.

I recommend: NCOSC has a handy guide showing rules, regulations and safeguards on your check printing machine. Acom Solutions offers data sheets on all of their products and case studies that will help in your decision.

Learn about the variety of check printing printers available

Consider use of the assortment of information that comes with check printing machines as part of your training and instruction. Each piece of equipment can have different specifications and directions, and you can utilize that knowledge to ensure the efficiency of your equipment.

I recommend: Relyco offers a guide on smaller check printers and the benefits of using them. They also have a specification file you can download. PBS Office shows various types of check printers, what each one includes, compatibility issues and features.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure that your staff is well trained on your personal check printing machine to ensure that customers receive service fast and efficiently.

Up until a few years ago, most businesses printed checks using dedicated form printers. With innovations in check printing automation, businesses today look at electronic check printer machines for convenient, affordable check printing options.

Check printing devices for businesses need to have magnetic ink character recognition (MICR), which is a printing process using magnetic toner that is read electronically by banks. Before your business purchases a check printing machine, answer the following questions:

1. What kinds of check printer machines meet my business needs?

2. How will a check printing device keep my business finances secure?

3. How will check printing equipment save my business money?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine which check printer machines can meet your company's needs

There are a variety of check printing machines on the market today. To find the electronic check printer machine best suited to your needs, do a quick analysis of your business' check quantity printed each month.

I recommend: Hewlett-Packard partners with TROY Group, Inc. to offer secure check printing equipment. HP supplies laser printers to TROY, who adds MICR printing capabilities. The TROY MICR 3005 Printer is ideal for small businesses or for personal check printing machine use, while the TROY MICR 9050 Printer is best for businesses that produce 300,000 pages of secure documents per month. Xerox has a similar agreement with ACOM Solutions, who enhances Xerox laser printers to create MICR check printing machines.

Find out how check printing equipment keeps your business data secure

It is important in any business to keep financial information secure. Many check printing printers offer multiple-level password control, security reports and electronic key locks to reduce the fraud potential. Consider purchasing detachable media files to store sensitive check information.

I recommend: MicroMICR offers a secure check printing device that stores signature and other protected information in a removable medium that can be stored away from the printer for added security. The secure check printing equipment is compatible with most laser printers. Check-Secure and CheckBox III are secure electronic check printer cards that can be programmed with sensitive data. After printing checks, the computer automatically deletes all information just loaded.

Evaluate how a check printing device can save your business money

Assess your business' current check printing expenses, including printers, ink, pre-printed forms and outsourcing, as applicable. For individuals that only write a few checks each month, a personal check printing machine may not be a practical choice. However, if your business writes more than 20 checks monthly, investigate the savings associated with check printer machines.

I recommend: An MICR check printing machine saves your business money by printing checks and other secure documents from secure check paper, saving the expense of pre-printed checks. With an electronic check printer, a company easily prints checks and financial information in one easy step whenever needed. This saves time and money compared to outsourcing, which is a considerable expense.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some check printing equipment requires specific software. Check out the software recommendations before making a purchase.

Printing your own checks can be cost-effective for your business, but you have to be aware of the fraud risks. Only by understanding the terms, phrases and elements involved in the process can you see where potential scammers can take advantage of your weak areas to duplicate your checks and/or drain your accounts. Understand the features of the machine you are purchasing, as well as the paper you are buying, before you commit to printing your own checks. Learn more about these check-printing machines key terms: magnetic ink character recognition, ABA and ANSI printing standards, check fraud, payment run, pantograph check designs and watermarks.

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Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)

Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) is a specified character set that can be read electronically by banks receiving and cashing or depositing the checks. It is the bank standard as defined by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI).

I recommend: Look at the magnetic ink character recognition information provided by InfoPrint Solutions. Elfring Fonts also gives helpful information on printing using MICR.

ABA and ANSI printing standards

American Bankers Association (ABA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) printing standards are U.S. banking standards for bank checks and paper-based drafts. The ANSI standard is X9.27-1995, and if your check is not calibrated properly, you will have check rejections when certain numbers are not paired together correctly.

I recommend: Learn more about the American Bankers Association and the American National Standards Institute. Find out how the IDAutomation.com MICR E13B Font Advantage Package can help you adhere to ABA and ANSI printing standards.

Check fraud

As you purchase your check-printing machine, one of your top goals should be to avoid check fraud. Check fraud is the manipulation of a check by means of desktop publishing to create a duplicate or duplicates of checks to cash in exchange for that value of money.

I recommend: Find out about four different types of check fraud and more from the National Check Fraud Center.

Payment run

Making a single payment run means printing your check, sending your electronic (ACH) payments or delivering your pay stubs in one process via automated software. This will increase efficiency, reduce costs and reduce exposure to check fraud because it is all being done at one time during one process.

I recommend: Use payment management software from ACOM Solutions to make swift payment runs for your business each time.

Pantograph check designs

Pantograph check designs are a security design feature that involve printing with graduated colors.

I recommend: Visit Printerm Datascribe to see how pantograph check designs are used on checks.

Watermarks

Check watermarks are a design feature that help with the security of your check printing. Some cannot be copied. They can be seen when the document is held at an angle and will turn a different color when the document is held under a blacklight.

I recommend: Learn more about check paper security features, including watermarks, from Hackers Home Page, which explores vulnerabilities of customer-owned machinery.

Check printing machines are a beneficial piece of equipment for any business that uses checks to pay employees, invoices or bills. These check printers are a cost effective and time saving since they eliminate the need to hand write checks. The price you pay for these printers depends upon the type of printer you need and what features are necessary.

Consider the following check printing machines pricing and costs to help you prepare your budget:

1. Save money by purchasing a basic check printer; however, remember you will still have to pay for checks from a third party.

2. Invest in a MICR check printing machine to minimize the recurring cost of ordering checks.

3. Include the cost of check printing software into your budget.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider purchasing basic check printing equipment

Basic check printer machines don't have the capability to print MICR numbers on the bottom of the check. These printers are ideal to use with checks from your bank or a check order service. This type of check printing device makes paying invoices, employees and bills time efficient. The price you pay for these depends upon the features you choose. For example, a dot matrix printer, which is ideal to use as a personal check printing machine, is usually less expensive than a laser printer.

I recommend: PrintCheck.com sells check printers starting at around $2,500; however, for dual tray models, you can expect to spend at least $6,500. PC Connection sells check printers, including some that have features to prevent duplicate checks. Prices start at around $600 for dot matrix models.

Upgrade to a MICR check printing machine

After the purchase of an MICR check printing machine your business will no longer have to pay for their checks. These printers can print the magnetic information located on the bottom of each check. All in one print session, you can print the entire check on check stock. The price you pay for these depends upon the number of trays you need and the security options you choose. Generally, a secure or locked, printer is more expensive than an lock-less printer.

I recommend: You can find a varied selection of MICR check printing machine models at Troy Group. Prices vary according to the features; however, you can expect to pay at least $1,100 for a single tray model. For around $300, you can find a basic dual tray MICR printer at CDW. For more advanced models, plan to spend up to $4,000.

Factor in the cost of software for your electronic check printer machine

Software is vital to printing checks from your computer. The product you choose should include security features. While these features may cost you more up front, these features can keep your bank account safe.

I recommend: Checkprintingsoftware.com offers free check printing software. Easy Desk Software sells check printing software for under $50 per program.