Check Printing Requirements

You are about to buy a new supply of bank checks and wonder what information must be included on business and personal checks drawn on United States Banks. Regardless of the design or background artwork on your checks the information that is required on checks is the same for all banks.

The date you write the check is entered on a line printed near the check number.

A line must be printed with the notation “Pay to the order of” preceding the line. You will enter the name of the person or business to whom the check is written on this line.

The amount of the check is entered in two locations. At the end of the pay to line, the amount of the check is entered in numbers, for example, $125.50. A clarifying line of text just below the pay to line spells out the amount; for example, One hundred twenty-five and 50/100 dollars.

The bank that will pay against the check is identified on the check. This usually displays the bank logo and name, for example, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. California, wellsfargo.com.

The bottom line on your checks must contain the information used to mechanically sort checks for return to your bank. The numbers will contain the bank routing number, your individual account number and the check number. The printed numbers must be printed in a special ink designated MIRC, for magnetic ink character recognition. A distinctive text font makes the line readable by high volume sorting equipment.