Document designGeneric MICR Fundamentals Guide 4-27Example: A 3-up application is printed with checks numbered1 through 6, in that order. After they are cut, three stacks offinished checks are produced: the first with check numbers 1and 4, another with numbers 2 and 5, and a third withnumbers 3 and 6. For this situation, the host application mayneed to be adjusted to enable the proper sequence to bemaintained during finishing.NOTE: For appropriate page sizes, refer to the printerdocumentation.ReadabilityWhen designing MICR documents, it is critical to remember thatthe document acts as a vehicle to transfer money from one partyto another. The MICR document must clearly communicate theinformation required to complete that transfer, withoutinterference from colorful backgrounds or confusing layout.Digital image capture, processing, and storage for the entirecheck make this requirement more important.Work is in progress to make the digital image of a check legallybinding when captured and processed by banks. This isnecessary to permit truncation of the paper documents early inprocessing and eliminate the cost of transporting the paper to theissuing bank. Checks should be designed to be easilyinterpreted when digitized into black and white images.MICR documents are not the only documents in whichreadability is a concern. Many payment processing systems aredesigned to use an OCR-printed turnaround document to directa check based payment. In these cases, readability of the OCRline may be compromised if the document is printed usingmagnetic ink. The processing system detect checks by thepresence of magnetic ink and initiate an E13B font recognitionroutine. If the turnaround document is magnetic, failure to readwould result. Therefore, MICR printers are not recommendedwhen an OCR font is used for data collection.
