Microprint; Watermarks; Drop-Out Print - Xerox 6100BD - Phaser Color Laser Printer Fundamentals

Microprint

Watermarks

Drop-out print

Generic MICR Fundamentals Guide
Microprint is extremely small text that, unmagnified, looks like
part of the check design. When magnified, it is a readable text
message. Microprints are very effective in preventing check
duplication because of their small image size.
Like safety patterns, microprints are usually applied using
conventional wet ink technologies before the stock is used in the
MICR printing system.
Microprints are typically used as check borders, signature or
memo lines, or as part of the endorsement control areas on the
back of the check.
Watermarks are images that appear to be part of the paper and
which are visible only under special viewing conditions. True
watermarks are paper structure deformations that are built into
the paper stock during the manufacturing process. They are
most easily seen when the paper is held up to the light. Artificial
watermarks are light colored inks that look like part of the paper
unless viewed at an angle. True watermarks are expensive and
frequently make MICR encoding difficult. Artificial watermarks
are commonly used on the back side of the check, in the
endorsement area.
Drop-out print is an imagewise pattern printed with light gray ink
and a very light halftone screen. The image is visible under close
inspection, and it can not be copied.
Drop-out print is frequently applied to the back of the check with
the words "genuine document" spelled out in reversal script.
When held at arms length, the words appear as light areas on a
slightly dark background. Drop-out print can also be used on the
face of the check as part of a check border or in place of a VOID
pantograph (refer to "VOID pantograph," later in this chapter).
Security
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