Need a way to print checks on blank stock

[bigbird]

Is anyone aware of any way to print checks on blank stock OTHER THAN using PrintBoss?

I have been using Printboss for a long time to print checks. Every time Ptree comes out with a new version, I have trouble with printboss. This time, I worked with a tech at printboss for 2 days before it giving up and going back to Ptre version 2002 so we could get some checks out.

The Tech told me that they didn't even HAVE a copy of Version 2003 yet!! (As of July 3)

It seems to me that it should be possible to design a check format in the designer if there is a way to print the MICR line. Do you know of anyone or of any way to do this without going through a Third party vendor?

Obviously, Peachtree doesn't support there vendors very well. Maybe in this case they don't like the fact that printing on blank stock cuts in to selling there own checks?

[CraigFL]

I have been printing my own checks with MICR toner for the last five years now. I loaded a MICR font on my system and it is selectable in my font list for check forms.

[bigbird]

Can you tell me where you found the MICR font? I presume that you just designed your own check in the form designer then.

Someone, I believe at PrintBoss, tried talling me that the Peachtree form designer couldn't possible place the MICR strip accurately enough to meet the babks specs. But apparently tou found that not to be true?

[CraigFL]

I can't remember where I found the MICR font but I searched the web for it years ago. I think the Printboss person is giving you a line so you will stay with their product. The layout for custom checks will theoretically place within 0.01" but I've found printers to be less accurate -- especially if they haven't been maintained. The best accuracy comes from printing the page moving along the width as opposed to most of the printers where the paper flows along the 11" length. In either case, if you're careful, it will be OK.

My printing should be less accurate since I print only the check number and the amount -- the bank info and my account is already preprinted. This means the scanner might have to take a jog when it comes to the end of the preprinted information and starts with mine. Anyway, I have not had any rejections yet. A lot of banks and stores are still using the MICR readers but many are changing over to OCR (Optical Character Recognition) which is much more tolerant.

I'm in the office supplies business and deal with a lot of people who use software like Peachtree and are printing their own checks so I wouldn't worry about it.

[jag]

3 Options-

-Ask someone to send it to you
-Look on the internet for it
-Go to http://www.micr-font.com/ and pay $89.00

If I had them I would gladly give them to you... but I don't.

[bigbird]

Wow! this is great! Thankyou both for the help! I looked at the source for fonts. I think the price is very fair.

I think I have a project of a couple of hours that will free from that PrintBoss headache EVERY time I want to upgrade! It will be well worth it.

I got everyone excited about being able to drill down on their divisional financials, then I had to back off while the third party vendors try to catch up.

Its got to be frustrating to the third party vendors that Peachtree doesn't send them pre release software to update their compatibility ahead of time.(If that is really the case)

I think I will create a sample and have my bank tchnical contact test it before I send a bunch of checks out!

Anyway, thanks again for your help.