Create!micrUser Manual

Software Version 3

October 2004

Copyright Notice

Manual Name: Create!micr 3, Edition 1 [Oct 2004]

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Create!form, Inc - A Bottomline Technologies Company. The software described in this document is furnished under a license or non-disclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. It is against the law to copy the software onto magnetic tape, disk or any other medium for any purpose other than in accordance with the agreement. It is against the law to copy or distribute this document other than in accordance with the agreement. All rights reserved.

© Copyright 1987-2004 Create!form, Inc. - A Bottomline Technologies Company. All rights reserved. Create!micr, Create!form, Create!print, Create!flash, Create!stream, Create!fax, Create!email and Create!archive are trademarks of Create!form, Inc. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. All other brand/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

WARNING. This document is protected by copyright law and international treaties. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this document, or any portion of it, may result in civil or criminal liability. Create!form, Inc. will prosecute and defend its copyrights to the fullest extent of the law.

Contents

1 Overview 9

1.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

1.2 MICR Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

1.3 How to use MICR with your Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

1.4 Printer Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.5 Printer Operation Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2 Installing the CLSmicr Font 13

2.1 Pre-Installation Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2.2 Install Create!micr from CD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2.3 MICR Font Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2.4 Preparing the Printer for MICR Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

3 The MICR Character Set 17

3.1 Full MICR Character Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

3.2 Alphabetic MICR Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

4 Using the CLSmicr Font 21

4.1 Creating MICR Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

4.2 Positioning and Formatting MICR Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4.3 Security of Checks and Payment Forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Index 25

Create!micr 7

1 1Chapter

OverviewThis chapter provides an overview of Create!micr.

Topics covered in this chapter are:

! Introduction

! MICR Fonts

! How to use MICR with your Application

! Printer Requirements

! Printer Operation Suggestions

Create!micr 9

Chapter 1: Overview

1.1 IntroductionThe technology for one-pass printing of Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) documents is now made easy.

With the introduction of non-impact printing technologies, it has become possible for users to design, generate and use financial documents largely within the confines of their own environment. Create!form enables you to integrate MICR documents with your applications simply. In most cases, no change to your application will be necessary to achieve this.

MICR documents can be generated in one pass through the printer, including the form, variable data, logo, MICR code line, variable MICR data and signatures. The special font known as E –13B, which is used to print the code line, consists of 15 characters — a space character, ten digits and four symbols.

This manual describes how to install the CLSmicr font and how to use it in Create!form designer.

You can install an evaluation version of the CLSmicr font when you install Create!form designer. The evaluation set allows you to work with the CLSmicr font, however not all MICR characters can be printed. To install the full version, you require a access key which is available from your Create!form Inc. distributor.

The most common MICR documents are bank checks (cheques), payment forms and deposit slips. MICR document design and layout standards may be specified by your bankers association. The responsibility now lies with you to ensure that the standards for document design, quality and security are met. Please contact the relevant standards association for more information. You should consult your printer distributor regarding all other matters such as the recommended printer, toner and the security paper.

1.2 MICR FontsTwo MICR fonts are installed by Create!micr, one for printing and another for viewing on the screen.

1.3 How to use MICR with your ApplicationMICR documents are created within Create!form designer. Completed projects are then placed into production on your e-forms server. As your host application prints its data files, these are automatically merged with the appropriate project.

10 Create!micr

1.4 Printer Requirements

In most cases, Create!form forms can be integrated with your existing data application without changing any of your application programs.

In Create!form designer, an electronic mask (called a DataMap) is used to specify the location of data on the page (see Create!form designer User Guide). The DataMap associates the spool file data with a variable name.

Text variables are then created on the form page. These are used to display the data from the DataMap variable in any location, and using any format.

In order to print data from your application using the MICR code, you will need to create a variable text object that is formatted with the CLSmicr typeface (" Chapter 4).

Variable text objects for MICR are handled in exactly the same way as other text objects, however, valid data is required and it is the responsibility of the application program to output valid MICR data. If the data for the MICR line is invalid, the page will still print but the characters may not be readable (" Chapter 3).

1.4 Printer RequirementsAny PostScript printer is able to print text using the CLSmicr font, provided it has sufficient memory and you have loaded a MICR toner cartridge.

1.5 Printer Operation SuggestionsA PostScript Level 2+ printer is recommended for printing forms designed in Create!form designer.

For MICR printing, you should also ensure that the paper type, thickness, and toner you will be using are those recommended by the printer manufacturer and your financial institution.

Create!micr 11

2 2Chapter

Installing the CLSmicr FontTopics covered in this chapter are:

! Pre-Installation Checklist

! Install Create!micr from CD

! MICR Font Files

! Preparing the Printer for MICR Printing

Create!micr 13

Chapter 2: Installing the CLSmicr Font

2.1 Pre-Installation ChecklistBefore beginning installation of Create!micr, please check that you have the following available:

• Create!form installation CD• A Create!micr access key

2.2 Install Create!micr from CDBefore you install Create!micr you must first have installed Create!form designer.

1. Insert the installation CD. The installation screen should be displayed automatically. If not, run the CForm.exe program located in the root directory of the installation CD.

2. Select the Install Products button, and then select Create!micr from the menu.

3. When prompted, choose whether you wish to install the Evaluation MICR set or perform a Full Installation of Create!micr.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. To activate the full version of Create!micr requires you to enter the access key. After entering a valid key, Create!micr will be installed.

5. Click Exit when you have finished installing Create!form products.

2.3 MICR Font FilesAfter the installation of Create!micr, two font files are added to your system. The sections below describe each of the font types.

In order to install the full version of Create!micr, you will require an access key from your distributor. If you do not have an access key, a limited evaluation set is also available.

With the evaluation set, you will be able to view all MICR characters, however, not all MICR characters can be printed.

14 Create!micr

2.4 Preparing the Printer for MICR Printing

2.3.1 PostScript Printer Font

The PostScript printer font required for printing MICR characters is called either CLSmicr.fnt_ps (for the full version) or CLSmicr_demo.fnt_ps (for the evaluation version). This font is used when printing projects and is installed to the <Create!form install dir>\SystemResource\Font directory.

2.3.2 MICR Screen Font

The MICR-VGA.FON file is installed to the Windows Fonts folder when Create!micr is installed. This file enables Create!form designer to display the CLSmicr font on screen.

2.4 Preparing the Printer for MICR PrintingTo print a form project with the CLSmicr font, select the print command from within Create!form designer. The font will be automatically downloaded to the printer with the job.

When projects are transferred to your e-forms server for production printing, the CLSmicr font will also be transferred with the project resources.

Create!micr 15

3 3Chapter

The MICR Character SetThe MICR character set consists of 15 characters — a space character, ten digits and four symbols.

Topics covered in this chapter are:

! Full MICR Character Set

! Alphabetic MICR Characters

Create!micr 17

Chapter 3: The MICR Character Set

3.1 Full MICR Character SetThe table below shows the keystroke required to generate each MICR character.

Keystroke Symbol

space bar

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

A

B

C

D

18 Create!micr

3.2 Alphabetic MICR Characters

3.2 Alphabetic MICR CharactersThe four alphabetic symbols provide additional information to the MICR document reader/sorter:

Symbol Description

The Bank/State/Branch Symbol: Indicates to the sorter the right hand boundary of a field. Where the Auxiliary Domestic field is not present, the Bank/State/Branch Field must be closed with the Domestic Symbol shown below.

The Amount Symbol: Indicates to the sorter the boundaries of the Amount Fields; it will be inscribed by the equipment at the bank. Printers will not use this symbol in ordinary encoding practices.

The Domestic Symbol: Instructs the sorter where to commence reading of the account number in the Domestic Field, the check serial number in the Auxiliary Domestic Field, or other information contained in the Extra Auxiliary Field. This symbol is also used as the closing symbol for the Bank/State/Branch Field, Auxiliary Domestic Field and Extra Auxiliary Domestic Field.

The Dash Symbol: Is recognised by the sorter as a divider or hyphen.

Create!micr 19

4 4Chapter

Using the CLSmicr FontThis chapter shows how to use the CLSmicr font to create form projects with Create!form designer.

Topics covered in this chapter are:

! Creating MICR Text

! Positioning and Formatting MICR Characters

! Security of Checks and Payment Forms

Create!micr 21

Chapter 4: Using the CLSmicr Font

4.1 Creating MICR Text

4.1.1 Static and Variable Text

There are two types of text objects that you can insert in a Create!form designerproject:

• text objects that can contain both static text and variables• variable text objects that can contain only a single variable

Static text is the text that you type directly into the project from the keyboard, whereas variables can contain text, numbers and dates from the input file and other sources. For example, a check number can be defined by a variable with a different value for each check printed, and the account details can be static, remaining the same on each check.

Figure 4-1: A sample bank check.

For more information about creating text objects and variables, see the Create!form designer User Guide.

4.1.2 Formatting Text with the CLSmicr Font

To format text with the CLSmicr font, follow the procedures for formatting text and variable text objects detailed in the Create!form designer User Guide. When formatting text, you can select the CLSmicr font from the Font tool drop-down on either the Text toolbar or the Text pane of the object Properties dialog.

You must observe the following formatting rules when creating MICR text:

• The font size must be set to 10 points.• The font color must be set to black.• Kerning must be set to 0.

It is important that MICR characters are spaced at the standard font spacing.• The text must be aligned to the top left of the object frame.

For more information on formatting and positioning MICR characters, see " Section 4.2.

Variable text containing check number

Static text containing BSB and account number

22 Create!micr

4.2 Positioning and Formatting MICR Characters

4.2 Positioning and Formatting MICR CharactersThe financial institutions have standardized on a number of measures in relation to widths, lengths and certain other particulars that must be adhered to. Before positioning your characters, please check that you have correctly transcribed the code line issued by your financial institution.

All data fields in the MICR code line must print in their specified location as set out by your standards association. You can test the positioning and layout of your MICR code line using a “Glardon Gauge”. This may be purchased from your standards association. Other brands/types of gauges may also be used.

The CLSmicr font is a monospaced font, i.e., all the characters have the same width. The CLSmicr font should always be defined as a 10 point size font. At this size the width of each character is 9 points, which is the equivalent to 8 characters per inch.

When formatting MICR text or text variables, you should select left and top align options. The base of the text line will be displayed 10 points below the top edge of the object area and the first character from the edge.

4.3 Security of Checks and Payment Forms

The risk of loss from fraudulent documents, counterfeiting or their misappropriation poses a threat to all companies using financial documents. It is important that you consider the security of your Checks and payment forms. All forms should be designed to safeguard against known threats. The following section outlines some security measures you can put into place.

To reduce the risk of fraud and counterfeiting, think about having your paper printed with security features, such as the following:

Characters that are not part of the MICR character set will not be displayed or printed when formatted with the CLSmicr font.

It is the responsibility of the end user to ensure that all relevant codes of practice regarding the printing of instruments of payment and the use of the MICR font are adhered to.

Create!micr 23

Chapter 4: Using the CLSmicr Font

• use a custom designed background pattern or watermark that is difficult to reproduce using scanning devices;

• use sensitized check paper which reacts against tampering with solvents, bleaches, acids and so on;

• print documents using sensitized ink which dissolves or changes color when attacked by solvents, etc.;

• use metameric inks which appear the same color under a standard light source, but as different colors under a different light source;

• include a security pantograph where a hidden word or similar appears when the document is photocopied.

When printing from your host system, make sure your check numbers are serialized in order to keep track of outgoing Checks. Always add asterisks before your ‘Amount in Figures’ data to avoid any alterations being made to this figure.

To increase internal security involving your hardware and software, a range of security features should be considered:

• Keep the check paper in a secure location.• Use a systems keylock to prevent unauthorized use or access.• Limit the system access to the working directory that holds your check forms,

via a keyed personal identification.

You may also want to consider putting into place some guidelines to be followed in day-to-day operations, including:

• Start-up and shut-down procedures.• Providing print samples of your MICR forms to your financial institution.• Reprinting/destruction of faulty forms.• Pre-printed stationery accountability.

6.

24 Create!micr

Index

Index

A

Alphabetic MICR Characters, 19

C

Checksdesign guidelines for security of, 23

ChequesSee also Checks

D

Design Guidelinesformatting MICR characters, 23positioning MICR characters, 23security of checks and payment forms, 23

Distribution FilesMICR screen font, 15PostScript printer font, 15

F

FNT_PS files, 15FON files, 15Full MICR Character Set, 18

G

Glardon Gauge, 23

I

Installation (MICR Font)checklist, 14distribution files, 14

M

MICRintroduction, 10

MICR Charactersformatting standards, 23positioning and layout standards, 23

MICR Text Objectalignment, 22color, 22font size, 22kerning, 22

MICR Text Variablepositioning, 23

P

Papersecurity of, 23

Payment Formsdesign guidelines for security of, 23

Positioning and Formatting MICR characters, 23

S

Securityday-to-day operation, 24design guidelines for checks, 23paper, 23

Create!micr 25