New Product – CF258A and CF258X MICR Toner Now Shipping
It’s taken longer than we would have liked, but we finally have an Advantage Brand CF258A and CF258X MICR toner. From the initial release, we had a New MICR version of this product. The main stumbling block for the Advantage Brand (Remanufactured) version of this product was the chip.
HP includes a chip on each toner cartridge that tracks things such as page yield, pages printed, remaining pages, average print density and so on. Another purpose of this chip is to lock out third party vendors from making compatible cartridges. HP issues the occasional firmware upgrade. Some of these upgrades are designed at disabling after market cartridges from functioning. We now have a replacement chip that will work with the HP LaserJet M404 and M406 printers.
While we don’t have any knowledge of future firmware upgrades, it’s good to be cautious. We recommend disabling firmware updates on your printer. This will insure aftermarket cartridges will function as expected. Your CF258A and CF258X MICR cartridge will come with instructions on how to disable firmware upgrades.
If you are buying New MICR cartridges, you have no worries regarding the chip or firmware upgrades as these are New Genuine HP cartridges that have been modified with MICR toner.
CF258A MICR Toner Cartridge
https://www.advlaser.com/MICR-Toner-For-HP-M404-M406-M428-CF258A-p/rccf258arm.htm
CF258X MICR Toner Cartridge
https://www.advlaser.com/MICR-Toner-For-HP-M404-M406-M428-CF258X-p/rccf258xrm.htm
Advantage Brand CF258A MICR Toner – Happening Soon
We’ve held off the last two years on releasing an “Advantage” brand CF258A MICR Toner. From it’s release, we’ve sold a New MICR version of the CF258A toner cartridge. This is where we start with a Brand New HP CF258A and remove the original toner and replace it with MICR toner. This is a superior product, but it’s expensive for obvious reasons.
You may be asking yourself why not sell a remanufactured or “Advantage Brand” CF258A. The reason is the chip. For the last 5 years, pretty much every HP toner cartridge has a chip that allows HP to track page count, toner status, etc. But another use of this chip is that it makes it much more difficult to remanufacture this toner cartridge. Once the original toner cartridge is empty, the chip will register that the cartridge is out of toner. We now have reliable chips that do not violate HP patents. So we are able to manufacture an aftermarket toner cartridge for half the price of new.
One thing to note, if you are using aftermarket toner cartridges with 3rd party chips, it’s a good idea to turn off automatic firmware updates on your printer. We’ll post a video on how to disable automatic firmware updates. If you don’t disable automatic firmware updates, you may find that a cartridge with an aftermarket chip no longer functions in your printer. Or it may function, but you’ll receive annoying messages on your printer regarding using aftermarket toner cartridges.
Stay tuned for the release of the CF258A, CF258X replacement MICR toner cartridges.
Check for Cyberpay Payroll Software – In Stock
cWe’ve just added new check paper to our lineup. This new stock is compatible with Cyberpay Payroll Software. It has all the security features as our other premium check stock. Note: this stock isn’t limited to Cyberpay. It can be used for any check that fits the perforations. If you are printing payroll checks with Cyberpay, we have both MICR Toner and the correctly check paper for you.
Perforations: 3 1/2″ Check, 3 3/4″ Stub, 3 3/4″ Stub
Part #: CPPAYDES
Color: Blue-Green Fade
Price: Starting at $60 / 1,000
Buy Now: https://www.advlaser.com/Cyberpay-check-stock-s/628.htm
Time To Join HP Business Rewards
There’s a program from HP that few people use, but many could benefit from, it’s called HP Business Rewards, formerly HP PurchaseEdge. HP Business Rewards is designed for businesses that buy more than $500 of HP consumables (inkjet and toner cartridges) in a year. For the first 90 days in the program, you’ll earn 3 points for every $4 USD spent. After 90 days, you’ll earn 1 point for every $4 USD spent. Once you accumulate some points you can purchase HP laser printers, inkjet printers, ScanJet scanners with your points. I’ve worked it out and it represents a 2-3% additional savings.
The best thing about the HP Business Rewards program is that we do all the work. Once you sign up for HP Business Rewards, all you need to do is give us your 6 digit Business Rewards number and we’ll submit the invoices to HP. It’s very easy.
Note you can only accumulate HP Business Rewards points for Genuine HP toner cartridges, Advantage Brand and New HP MICR Toner Cartridges are not eligible.
To get started, enroll in HP Business Rewards today: https://www.hpbusinessrewards.com/join/549688
Once you are registered, you’ll need to email us your 6 digit HP HP Business Rewards account number. HP usually emails your account number the day after you register. We need your account number to submit your invoices. That’s it, we’ll handle the rest.
New MICR Price Increase for HP Toner Cartridges – November 1st
Beginning November 1st, HP is raising prices on new toner cartridges. This is the second increase in a year. Unfortunately, with the prices of new toner cartridges going up, we will in turn be raising our prices on New MICR Toner Cartridges on November 1st. The price increase isn’t huge at 5%. But being the second one in a year it is aggravating to to have to raise our prices twice in a year.
This is an opportunity to get ahead of the price increase and stock up before the price increase.
The good news is our Advantage Brand MICR toner cartridges prices are not going up. Advantage Brand MICR toners are made right here in Atlanta, Georgia. So if you haven’t tried our Advantage Brand MICR toner, now might be the time to do so. They both include the same one year money back guarantee. So why not save some money and be a part of the recycling revolution.
We’ve had two price increases on both check paper and envelopes over the summer. We have not passed those on. Fingers crossed that is it and the prices will stabilize for awhile.
In addition to paper costs going up, shipping is scheduled to increase by 5.9% come January. Both UPS and FedEx seem to be in lockstep with their annual price increases each January.
If you have any questions or concerns, give us a ring at 800-722-2804 from 9-5EST.
What is MICR?
Everything you wanted to know about MICR technology.
We at Advantage Laser Products are jumping on the AI bandwagon and doing some Q&A with copy.ai for a few blog posts. The resulting answers to our questions are remarkably accurate and informative. In this post we will try to extract every bit of information that our friendly AI can scrape off the internet regarding MICR and check printing.
ALP: What is MICR technology?
AI: Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) technology is a type of technology that uses magnetic ink to encode and read information on documents. It is commonly used in the banking industry to process checks and other financial documents.
The history of MICR technology dates back to the early 1950s when the American Bankers Association (ABA) recognized the need for a standardized system to process checks. Prior to this, check processing was a manual and time-consuming process that was prone to errors and fraud. The ABA formed a committee to develop a standardized system that could be used by banks across the United States.
The MICR system was developed by this committee and was first introduced in the late 1950s. It used magnetic ink to encode information on checks and other financial documents, making it possible to process them quickly and accurately using machines. The system was an instant success and quickly became the standard for check processing in the banking industry.
MICR technology works by printing information on a document using magnetic ink. The ink contains small particles of magnetic material that can be read by special machines. The information printed using MICR technology typically includes the bank routing number, the account number, and the check number.
The machine used to read MICR information is called a MICR reader. It works by using a magnetic field to read the magnetic particles in the ink. The information is then converted into digital data that can be processed by a computer.
One of the primary advantages of MICR technology is its accuracy. Because the information is printed using magnetic ink, it is less likely to be misread or misinterpreted than information that is printed using standard ink. This can help to reduce errors and improve the efficiency of document processing.
Another advantage of MICR technology is its security. Because the information is printed using magnetic ink, it is more difficult to alter or forge than information that is printed using standard ink. This can help to prevent fraud and protect sensitive financial information.
MICR technology has become a standard in the banking industry and is also used in other industries, such as healthcare and transportation, where accurate and secure data processing is important.
MICR technology is used for check processing in the banking industry. When a check is processed, the information printed using MICR technology is read by a MICR reader. The reader captures the information and sends it to a computer for processing. The computer uses the information to verify that the check is valid and that the funds are available in the account. If the check is valid and the funds are available, the transaction is processed and the funds are transferred from the account of the person or company that wrote the check to the account of the person or company that is receiving the funds.
One potential disadvantage of MICR technology is its cost. Because it requires special ink and specialized equipment, it can be more expensive than other types of printing technology. However, the benefits of increased accuracy and security may outweigh the additional cost in many cases.
MICR technology has evolved over the years to become more efficient and secure. For example, new MICR fonts have been developed that are easier to read by machines and are more resistant to fraud. In addition, new security features have been added to MICR technology to prevent counterfeiting and other forms of fraud.
In recent years, there has been a shift away from paper-based check processing and towards electronic payment systems. However, MICR technology remains an important part of the banking industry and will likely continue to be used for many years to come.
In conclusion, MICR technology is a reliable and secure way to process financial and other sensitive documents. Its accuracy and security make it an essential technology for the banking industry and other industries that rely on accurate and secure data processing. Despite the shift towards electronic payment systems, MICR technology will likely continue to be used for check processing and other applications for many years to come.
ALP: Why is it important that I use MICR toner?
AI: It is important to use MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) toner while printing checks to prevent check fraud. Deviations from the standard can make the check unreadable by the bank’s automated sorters, which can result in delays and additional fees. Additionally, strict adherence to the standards of the MICR ink and the position of the MICR line on a check document helps assure quality. Using MICR, checks can be examined more closely for fraud and tampering, as the unique combination of characters produced by MICR toner and the E-13B specialized MICR font make it challenging to alter checks. The Federal Reserve requires checks to be printed with MICR toner for ease of processing.
Therefore, it is critical to use MICR toner while printing checks to reduce the risk of check fraud.
ALP: Is MICR still necessary?
AI: Yes, Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is still necessary because it is a technology used primarily to identify and process checks, and it plays a crucial role in the processing of checks by banks and financial institutions. The MICR line facilitates the use of routing numbers, detects and prevents fraud, and ensures the ease of processing checks.1 The Federal Reserve requires that checks be printed with MICR toner for ease of processing, and businesses should use MICR solutions anytime they need to print off secure checks.2 Additionally, MICR technology can be used beyond checks and can be utilized on other important documents to prevent fraud and ensure accuracy in document processing.3
ALP: What happens if I print checks without MICR encoding?
AI: If you print checks without MICR encoding, the checks will not meet banking standards, and they could be rejected by a bank. In addition, printed checks without security features are vulnerable to fraud and can put your organization at risk of financial harm. Therefore, it is recommended that organizations still need MICR printers, especially in 2023.
ALP: What is MICR toner made of?
AI: MICR toner is similar to standard laser printer toner, but it includes an iron oxide additive. It’s this additive that allows for electronic processing and ensures compliance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications for readability.
ALP: Why is MICR toner more expensive than regular toner?
AI: MICR toner is more expensive than regular toner because it requires a unique iron oxide additive that allows for electronic processing and ensures compliance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications for readability when printing checks. This iron oxide additive is not found in regular toner, and the additional manufacturing process and quality control measures required to produce MICR toner cartridges add to the cost.
ALP: Who invented MICR technology?
AI: The Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) technology was developed in the mid-1950s by a team of researchers from the Stanford Research Institute and General Electric Computer Laboratory.
ALP: Does MICR Toner taste good?
AI: As an AI language model, I don’t have the ability to taste or consume anything. However, it’s important to note that toner, including MICR toner, is not intended for consumption and can be harmful if ingested. It’s critical to follow proper safety precautions when handling toner cartridges to avoid exposure to the toner particles and to prevent any accidental ingestion.
ALP: What else can MICR toner be used for?
AI: MICR toner is mainly used for printing checks and other financial documents that require high security. According to 1ink.com, MICR toner is specially designed to work with a specialized MICR font known as E-13B to produce a unique combination of characters on checks, reducing the risk of fraud during the check-processing period. However, there is no evidence to suggest that MICR toner has any other uses beyond check printing.
ALP: Can liquid ink include MICR?
AI: Liquid ink is generally not used to create MICR lines on checks due to the risk of smudging and the potential to cause errors in the automated processing of checks. Instead, magnetic ink or toner is used to print the MICR line on a check.[1] Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) technology uses a special type of ink that is magnetic and highly sensitive to magnetic fields. This allows for the characters on a check to be encrypted with magnetic ink and read by machines that are capable of capturing the magnetic information. [4] Therefore, it is not recommended to use liquid ink for MICR lines in order to ensure the accurate processing of checks.
ALP: What is the proper pronunciation of MICR?
AI: The proper pronunciation of MICR is “my-ker”.
Sources:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/pronunciation/english/micr
https://www.howtopronounce.com/micr
Sources:
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/wealth-management/magnetic-ink-character-recognition-micr-line/
- https://www.hague-group.com/what-is-magnetic-ink-character-recognition-micr/
Advantage Laser Products in Atlanta Georgia has been manufacturing high quality MICR toner for over 30 years. Please visit our website for an outstanding selection of new modified and remanufactured MICR toner options. https://www.advlaser.com/MICR-Toner-Cartridges-for-Check-Printing-s/1.htm If you have questions please do not hesitate to call our subject matter experts at 800-722-2804. We are happy to point you in the right direction.
Don’t want to deal with MICR encoding? Check out our pre-printed checks with MICR encoding already done for you.
MICR – New HP LaserJet Pro 4001 Printer in R&D
HP just released the new HP LaserJet Pro 4001 printer. We already have one in R&D and are testing a new formulation of MICR toner for the 4001 printer. So far it’s looking great. We hope to have a W1480A MICR toner cartridge for the LaserJet 4001 series by September 1st.
The 4001 series replaces the M404 series of LaserJet printers. The printers are remarkably similar and the 4001 prints at 42ppm vs. 40ppm.
HP is also offering some new variants that come with HP Plus. If you buy the HP LaserJet 4001ne (instead of the 4001n), the printer comes with HP Plus (or HP+). You’ll save $60 on the printer, but you will also be locked out of buying aftermarket toner cartridges. You do gain an additional year on your warranty and six months of HP Instant Ink. HP Instant Ink is a subscription plan for toner where you pay a monthly fee up to a certain number of pages. There are a number of tiers depending on your usage. According to HP you can save 50% by using instant ink, but your savings will depend on how close your printed pages match the Instant Ink Tier you selected.
The good news is that our New MICR toner cartridges are Genuine HP cartridges that have been modified with MICR toner, so the will work in the printers that come with HP+.
The LaserJet 4001 accepts both the W1480A and W1480X toner cartridges. The W1480A prints 2,900 pages and the W1480X high yield cartridge is rated for 9,500 pages.
W1480A MICR Toner Cartridge $175
W1480X MICR Toner Cartridge $315
New Product: HP M209dw MICR Laser Printer
The HP M209dw printer has been out for over a year now. We are happy to announce we are now selling the HPM209dw with a MICR toner cartridge.
Our Take: This is an inexpensive printer up front, but the cost per page is high compared to the more expensive models. This makes a great dedicated MICR printer for small check runs from 10-100 pages. Beyond that, you are better off spending your money on the LaserJet M404n MICR Laser Printer. The M404n is faster, more durable, and less expensive to operate in the long run.
The M209dw is the least expensive, dare I say cheapest, LaserJet printer we sell for printing checks. It’s got a tiny foot print which makes it ideal if you are tight on space. If you are printing small runs of checks, this may be the printer for you.
HP M209dw MICR Laser Printer $299
We will also be selling the M209DWE variant of the printer as well. The DWE is less expensive than the DW and comes with double the warranty and HP+. HP+ is a system that gives your printer cloud based connectivity. The HP+ system can be utilized to automatically order your toner. The disadvantage is that the DWE will only allow HP OEM toner cartridges to be used. This isn’t a problem because we sell new modified HP cartridges. These cartridges will work fine as they are new HP.
Here are some more details about DWE (with HP+) vs DW.
