Prior to 1950, checks were a convenience that could be afforded by only a small percentage of bank customers. Most people used banks for savings and paid for goods and services with cash. Increased business activity over time has forced business to offer competitive rates and increase productivity. This has made businesses realize that they can save time and money by printing checks.
Business owners prefer to use checks due to their increased volume of transactions. They are the most convenient method of payment. Most business checks are printed using laser printers. Better and new software and printers allow an entire check to be printed that includes the logo, signatures, and MICR or Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, the characters at the bottom of the check. These characters encode the account number, bank transit and check numbers. If prepared properly, checks with MICR encoding can be processed automatically by the bank’s equipment at a minimum cost to the bank.
Many organizations use computers to generate as well as track checks. Laser printer check printing systems overcome most of the problems related with record keeping and auditing. Check forms designed for laser printers are less expensive than those of impact printers. A single form is used for all accounts.
Electronic publishing and non-impact printing technologies are available in the specialized area of MICR printing. Being automated through a computer, most of the setup costs associated with conventional MICR printers is eliminated and no stock is wasted when changing jobs. These savings can be passed on to the end user, as it results in the pricing of computer check being comparable to personal check costs. MICR check software is compatible to work with most computer systems.
Business checks are printed on laser printers as they have been proved to be efficient in check writing. Many organizations have saved time and money that otherwise went into the production of checks.