Print & Cheques Now Inc., a Calgary-based cheque printer, has published a plain-language guide to Standard 006, the Payments Canada specification that governs cheques drawn on accounts at Canadian financial institutions. The guide aims to help accountants, controllers, business owners, and administrative staff understand the technical requirements for cheque printing, including MICR encoding, layout, magnetic signal strength, and security elements.
The guide explains that Standard 006 reserves a 5/8-inch band along the bottom of a cheque for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) encoding. No printing other than the prescribed E-13B characters may appear within this band. The lower 3/16 inch must remain clear, the encoding line occupies the next 1/4 inch, and the 3/16 inch above it must also be unobstructed. Logos, signatures, or borders entering this area can interfere with automated processing or cause the cheque to fail testing.
MICR printing must use magnetic ink and produce a signal within tolerances set by Standard 006. Testing evaluates character dimensions, spacing, placement, and extraneous magnetic ink. A cheque that looks correct to the human eye may still produce an inadequate magnetic signal. Payments Canada recommends that organizations printing their own cheques submit pre-production samples to a financial institution for testing.
Print & Cheques Now holds the designation CPA Self-Accredited Printer #1010 through the Cheque Printer Self-Accreditation Program administered by Payments Canada. This designation attests that the company produces cheques within the tolerances of Standard 006 and follows testing requirements. In addition to meeting the standard, Print & Cheques Now cheques include three confirmed security features: holograms, thermochromic (heat-sensitive) ink, and microprinting visible under magnification. These features are separate from MICR requirements but must be placed so they do not interfere with imaging, the MICR band, or cheque fields.
Managing cheque printing in-house requires control over the MICR font, magnetic signal, character placement, and clear-band dimensions. Changes to printer, toner, paper, or other components can affect compliance. Print & Cheques Now tests its production under the self-accreditation program and backs every order with its Bank Acceptance Guarantee. If a Canadian financial institution rejects a cheque, the company will reprint or refund the order.
Jon Gilchrist, Owner of Print & Cheques Now, said, "Most business owners never look at the standard behind a cheque until one gets rejected. The person ordering cheques for a company is usually an accountant or an office manager, not a compliance specialist, so we wrote this guide in plain language instead of leaving that standard buried in a technical document only a printer would read."
This guide is particularly relevant for businesses that print their own cheques or order from non-accredited printers. Non-compliance can lead to rejected payments, delayed transactions, and extra costs. By understanding these requirements, businesses can ensure their cheques are processed smoothly and avoid disruptions. The guide also highlights the importance of using accredited printers, like Print & Cheques Now, which adhere to strict standards and offer guarantees. For businesses considering in-house printing, the guide serves as a cautionary resource, emphasizing the need for testing and quality control.
The release of this guide underscores the importance of cheque standards in the Canadian financial system. Even as digital payments grow, cheques remain a critical tool for many businesses. Ensuring their reliability and security is essential for maintaining trust and efficiency in financial transactions. Print & Cheques Now's initiative to demystify these technical requirements is a valuable contribution to the business community.
