Q: How do I access the fonts on the microMICR Font Device using PCL?

A: Each microMICR Font Device is tested for quality control purposes before shipping and the test sheet is enclosed in the box. The test sheet also contains information about each font such as the PCL escape sequence used to select it.

Most software programs allow you to change fonts by using printer command escape sequences. They are so called because each command begins with an escape character which is followed by a sequence of other characters. These consist of a prefix, that tells the printer the type of command, followed by optional parameter values and a final uppercase letter that completes the command. The complete set of printer commands makes up the Printer Control Language (PCL) used by LaserJet printers to control page formatting, print positioning, graphics and other miscellaneous functions in addition to font selection. Refer to the Printer Command Table in your LaserJet User’s Manual for a complete list of commands.

Escape sequences can be included as part of the software’s initialization (sometimes referred to as set-up string), embedded in a text file or directly passed to the printer in a stand-alone program. Software packages have different ways of inserting or representing the escape character, generally using its ASCII numeric value of 27 in decimal or 1B in hexadecimal. Your software application manual should provide an explanation of how to use escape sequences with the program.

Q: I printed checks but the numbers on the MICR line don't look right. What should I do?

A: First make certain the font device is present in the printer (if required by your software). Perform a printer RESET (according to your printer's instructions) or turn it off and back on. Try printing a test check again. If the numbers still do not look correct, turn off the printer and unplug it. Remove the font device, reinstall it, and try printing again.

The most common problem, not selecting the correct font, is almost always due to an incorrect PCL escape sequence. Escape sequences are case sensitive; that is it makes a difference whether upper-case (capital) or lower-case (small) letters are used. In general, each printer command that begins with an escape character, ends with an upper-case letter. Any letters used within a command other than the final upper-case letter must be lower-case. An upper-case letter "O" is sometimes confused with a zero "0"; a lower-case "L" for the number "1".

If the MICR line numbers still look like the wrong font, call microMICR technical support for further assistance.

Q: I have a microMICR Custom Font Device. How can I print the custom signature or logo?

A: If you have a microMICR Custom Font Device, it contains one or more custom signatures or logos in the form of a font. It is a somewhat unusual font because it may only contain one or two characters instead of the full alphabet with number and symbol characters found on typical fonts. Treating a signature or logo image as a font character results in quicker output since the printer can print a character in its memory much faster than it can print a graphic.

To select the custom font, use the full escape sequence printed on the test page to "call" the custom font. Then print the letter which corresponds with the image you want to print. The first image usually corresponds to the upper-case "A"; that is, when the custom font is selected using the above described escape commands, the printer will print the image each time it is told to print the letter "A". If more than one image is on the font, the second will be mapped to "B", and so on. Because there are no other characters in the custom font, attempting to print characters other than those listed on the test sheet will usually result in nothing being printed.

In determining the print location of the image, the printer will place it at the current print position starting at the lower left corner of an imaginary rectangle which encloses the entire image. When printing signatures on checks, be sure that lower-case descenders (like the hook of a "y") do not print within the bottom 5/8 inch clear band of a check, which must not contain any print other than the MICR characters.