Yes, you can print checks with an inkjet printer. The two caveats are that inkjet ink is not magnetic, so it does not create a traditional MICR line, and that fresh ink can smear or run if it gets wet. Printing the variable fields onto pre-printed check stock avoids the first problem, and a drying habit takes care of the second.
Inkjets are the printers most people already own, so this is a common question. The answer is practical rather than yes or no. Below is what actually happens when an inkjet prints a check, where it can go wrong and how to get a clean result.
How does inkjet printing differ for checks?
An inkjet sprays tiny drops of liquid ink onto the page. The ink soaks into the fibers or sits on a coating and then dries. A laser printer instead melts toner onto the sheet. For documents that is a small difference. For a check, which will be handled, mailed, photographed and sometimes exposed to moisture, it matters more.
Inkjet ink also contains no iron oxide, the material that makes magnetic ink readable by bank equipment. That is why what is MICR and why is it used on checks is worth reading if you plan to print the bottom line yourself.
Does ink smear or run on checks?
It can. Inkjet cartridges generally use either dye-based ink or pigment-based ink. Dye inks produce vivid color and dry into the paper but are often water-soluble, which means a wet thumb or a rainy mailbox can blur them. Pigment inks sit on the paper as tiny particles and are usually more water-resistant. Which kind your printer uses is in its product documentation.
A check with a blurred amount or payee is a risk, not only an annoyance, because a bank may refuse it and a fraudster may find it easier to alter. If your printer uses dye inks, extra caution with drying and storage is worthwhile.
Can an inkjet print the MICR line?
An inkjet can print the shapes of the E-13B characters, but not in magnetic ink. Some banks process checks mostly as images and some accept non-magnetic printing, but acceptance is up to each bank and the payee's bank. For regular or high-volume use, magnetic ink is the safest option, and that normally means laser toner designed for MICR.
If you use an inkjet and want to be certain the MICR line is correct and magnetic, use pre-printed check stock. The MICR line is already on the stock in magnetic ink, and your printer only adds the date, payee, amount, amount in words and memo. Pre-printed check stock explained shows how that works.
Which inkjet paper and settings give the best result?
| Choice | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Check stock | Stock marked inkjet compatible | Surface is designed to take ink without feathering |
| Print quality | Normal or Best, not Draft | Draft uses less ink and can look gray, which is harder to read |
| Paper type setting | Plain or the setting nearest to your stock | Controls how much ink is applied and the drying time |
| Scaling | 100 percent or Actual size | Fit to page moves every field |
| Headers and footers | Off | They add text the check does not need |
| Paper size | US Letter | Matches 8.5 x 11 check stock |
| Feed tray | Rear or manual tray if available | Straighter paper path for heavier stock |
How to print a check on an inkjet, step by step
- Check that your ink cartridges are not low. A faded black cartridge makes numbers hard for bank equipment and humans to read.
- Run your printer's nozzle check or cleaning routine if you have not printed lately. Streaks across a check look bad and read badly.
- Create the check in your software and run a Test Print on plain paper at 100 percent.
- Hold the test page against a real check or sheet of stock in front of a light and note any offset.
- Load a single sheet of inkjet-compatible check stock. Face up or face down depends on the printer, so mark a sheet of plain paper to check which side prints.
- Print the real check and take it out carefully, holding it by the edges.
- Lay it flat for several minutes, or longer if the ink looks glossy. Do not stack it or stuff it in an envelope while it is still wet.
- Sign, record the number and deliver.
Tips that prevent smudges
- Use the printer's pigment black cartridge if it has separate pigment and dye cartridges.
- Skip glossy or photo paper. It dries slowly and can smear.
- Do not touch the printed area with fingers for at least several minutes.
- Keep a few printed checks separate while they dry rather than stacking them.
- Test water resistance on a spare printout. Dab a corner with a damp cloth after it has dried and see if the ink moves.
- Sign with a pen that works on your stock. Gel and ballpoint pens write well on most check paper.
Troubleshooting common inkjet check problems
- Text is smeared along one line: the page may have curled or the rollers left a mark. Try the rear tray and a different paper setting.
- Everything is printed too high or too low: check scaling, margins and whether the check is on the top, middle or bottom of the sheet. See how to print checks using a regular printer.
- Pale or banded printing: clean the printheads and replace low cartridges.
- Paper skews: use single sheets and the straightest paper path.
- Numbers at the bottom are rejected by the bank: switch to pre-printed stock or ask your bank about non-magnetic printing.
Check Writer 123 can print the full check on blank stock, only the variable fields on pre-printed stock, or one check on plain paper, and it works with any printer your browser can reach. Its free Test Print marks the page with TEST PRINT watermarks and never counts against your plan.
Should you switch to a laser?
If you print more than a few checks a month or you want to print your own MICR line in magnetic toner, a laser is the better long-term tool. If you print occasionally, an inkjet with pre-printed stock or careful drying is fine. What printer is best for printing checks compares the options, and can you print checks with a laser printer covers the other side. For a first inkjet run, the plain-language approach is simple: test on plain paper, print on suitable stock, and let the ink dry completely.