Sage 100

Printing dot matrix checks in MAS v4.5. Anyone have luck doing so? It's been probably 3 to 5 years since I had a customer attempt this and on a recent upgrade the customer is hugging their 5 boxes of newly purchased dot matrix checks not wanting to move to laser. I'm more curious if there's a set way to make this work. Their complaint is that the check prints then there's a line or small form feed. I've pretty much advised that they move to laser's as it's not worth the investment of toying with the dot matrix.

You have to make the page size equal to the size of the check. Sometimes you only have to do that in the software setup, and sometimes you have to do it on the printer, too. And rarely do I get it to work exactly, even then - usually someone has to stop and adjust the checks a little bit about every 20+ checks. But of course sometimes you adjust up and sometimes down - so go figure.

Are they stub/check, continuous feed? We have a customer still printing PR checks to a dot-matrix printer and I know we had to set up a new paper size in the printer properties but this is for standard cks, not graphical.

We did it on the printer @BethBowers

I did one last week. It all depends on the printer. It does work. You need to set the form size in the window. Jim Sent from my ipad, Please excuse any spelling errors or typos. On Jun 19, 2012, at 11:43 AM, ""Wayne Schulz"" <share@socialcast.com<mailto:share@socialcast.com>> wrote:

I've fought with this recently. As I recall the key was adding a form code in Windows that matched the 7"" check form length and using a printer driver specifically set up to us this form code. I don't remember specifically but this is tricky if a network printer is being used. I think you have to use a local print driver especially if more than one person is printing checks and Windows 7 and XP computers are being used.

I used to fix this by changing the printer driver in device configurator by using HP 4 driver, nothing newer. Almost always fixed this.

I don't really understand why companies are so resistant to moving over to laser printed checks. You can get multi part carbon laser paper / checks now.

I told these folks that almost everyone has the same story ""we just bought 5 cartons of checks"" ... to which I usually say --- ""what happens if it takes 2 days and $2,500 to get these dot matrix checks printing?""... within a few hours they're ordering $150 replacement checks in laser format... It's been a very long time since I've run into anyone with dot matrix printing of checks. Out in the warehouse - yes. But not checks.

Last time I had this battle, it finally came down to me saying ""OK, if you really insist I'll come out there and do the best I can, but it will never handle long check runs without adjustment and the only thing I am guaranteeing you is a bill. Please respond in writing that you understand this."" About two hours later ""OK, we're ordering the laser checks.

One of my clients insisted that I try to get their OKI dot matrix to work in v4.3. Turned out that there was a bug in the OKI WIN print driver. Several attempts to make it work and a $500 bill for my effort, they also switched to laser....

That's pretty much the story that I told the customer. I'm not claiming it can't be done -- just that the ""sure thing"" alternative of ordering laser checks is almost guaranteed cheaper.

Just in case someone needs to know how to create a custom form in Windows......... Creating Custom Sized forms for a Dot matrix printer. Found Via Google back in 12/12/08 Click on Printers and Faxes from the Start button and open the page listing your printers. Highlight the Epson printer in question. Click on File > Server Properties. It will open and you will see a Forms tab which lists your preset paper sizes. Just below that you have a check box for ""Create a new form."" There you can create custom paper sizes until the cows come home. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/122900-45-matrix-printer-custom-paper-size-wiindows

Might also be a good time to show the client how to print checks on blank checks stock. Depending on their circumstances (many bank accounts), it might be simpler and cheaper. Do need to purchase the MICR font from Adobe and a plastic template for alignment purposes......

There's this: http://infosource.sagesoftwareonline.com/sw_attach/kdb.asp?isResolutionConceptID=481000

@JeffSchwenk Good point - the Adobe fonts last time I checked were about $99 ish.

Mine were only $29. http://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/html/index.cfm?store=OLS-US&event=displayFontPackage&code=1500 To dispell the myth, no you do NOT need the magnetic toner for this to work. I've been running since 2006 on regular toner. I have only had one client not be able to get this to work and they even HAD magnetic toner. You do have to be careful with positioning of the fonts. Purchase a MICR template to help with the alignment. The alignment varies by PRINTER. Use the stub, check, stub format for checks. Alignment is easier.

@JeffSchwenk I thought the bank made it mandatory for the magnetic toner. Good to know that it is not needed. Thanks!

In the era of optical scanning, magnetic toner is less critical. At my local BB&T bank, I have never had a scanning issue in the past 18 months of issuing checks here in VA. Having the MICR code print within the defined range IS important however. I tell my clients that want to try it to purchase one ream of blank check stock. If it causes issues, then I'll buy the blank stock and they can go back to preprinted checks.