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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Design Specifications for Cheques and Deposit Forms
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR
CHEQUES AND DEPOSIT FORMS
Prepared by the Printing Standards Sub-Committee
January 2007
The following are some of the questions that are frequently asked by printers who are new
to cheque printing or seeking updated information. They are to be read in conjunction with
the specifications for printing of cheques and deposit forms as detailed in Magnetic Ink
Character Recognition (MICR) Technical Specifications and Design Specifications for
Cheques and Deposit Forms.
The questions have been divided into the following topics:
• Getting started and general questions
• Customer printing own MICR
• Design
• Security
• Colour
Getting Started and General Questions
1. How do we apply for a Printer Identifier?
Application for a Printer Identifier is to be submitted direct to APCA, click here to
obtain the application form.
2. How can we ensure that DANs and PANs are used effectively?
To speed up the approval process for reprints, printers are to quote the previously
allocated DAN and PAN (if available).
3. Please explain in simple terms the DAN and PAN procedures?
The Design Approval Number (DAN) is for approval of the layout of the cheque. A
DAN is not concerned with the specific details of the data elements. Its main
concern is to ensure that the required data elements are present and to indicate
where each one will be located on the document. Each different layout must be
allocated its own DAN. An approved DAN can be used for different customers using
the same design layout.
A Printing Approval Number (PAN) is for approval of what will actually be printed in
the data element fields and when a machine proof is submitted, the PAN also
includes approval of the colours.
A DAN and PAN must be allocated and a Confirmatory Authority held before printing
can commence. In most instances the DAN and PAN procedures will be combined.
Australian Payments Clearing Association Limited [ABN 12 055 136 519]
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Design Specifications for Cheques and Deposit Forms
Refer Appendix E of Design Specifications for Cheques and Deposit Forms for a
complete explanation of the approval processes.
4. Why is the same design acceptable to one Financial Institution, but not another?
If a design conforms to the current design specifications, it will be acceptable to all
Financial Institutions.
If Institution A believes that a layout for which a DAN has been allocated by
Institution B does not conform to Design Specifications for Cheques and Deposit
Forms, then it is the responsibility of Institution A to make enquiries with Institution
B, which allocated the DAN, to resolve the matter.
Customer Printing Own MICR
5. Do we need a PAN if we print our own MICR on a desktop publishing system?
Yes, a PAN is required for each of the customer’s in-house systems that are used
for printing MICR. The customer is therefore required to register with APCA as a
printer and be allocated a Printer Identifier. The customer's Financial Institution will
quote that Printer Identifier when the PAN is allocated. If the customer has
accounts at multiple Institutions, the customer must request a PAN from each
Institution.
6. We would like to print our own cheques. How do we know which desktop printer to
buy?
“Try before you buy” is the best approach. It is recommended that an experienced
supplier should be used and arranges to have some sample documents tested by
the relevant Financial Institution before making a commitment to buy. Note: MICR
toner must be used to print MICR encoding.
Design
7. Can the drawer’s address be printed on the cheque?
This is a proprietary matter for each Institution to determine.
8. Do Utility Payment vouchers printed with OCRB have to conform to Design
Specifications for Cheques and Deposit Forms?
It is a proprietary matter for each Financial Institution to determine the design
requirements of these vouchers.
Security
9. How can I use Thermochromic Ink?
Australian Payments Clearing Association Limited [ABN 12 055 136 519]
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Design Specifications for Cheques and Deposit Forms
Thermochromic ink may be printed on the front or reverse of the document. When
printed on the front, it should be printed as a patch. Legally required text and the
warning band must not be printed in thermochromic ink that disappears when heat
is applied. When printed on the reverse, it may be printed as a patch or pattern
provided that it is printed as scan non-readable at 20 C. The reaction temperature
should be between 25 C and 27 C. The Warning Band must state where the
thermochromic ink is located and how it should react.
10. Why have Metameric and Intaglio printing been removed as security features to
protect a cheque against counterfeiting?
The changes have been made to keep Publication Design Specifications for
Cheques and Deposit Forms current as these security features are no longer used
on cheques printed in Australia.
11. If asterisks are not printed in the Amount in Figures, will Financial Institutions reject
the cheques?
No, but it is strongly recommended that the Amount in Figures be protected by the
use of asterisks particularly on cheques with a pre-printed $-sign. The Amount in
Words and Payee should also be protected by asterisks.
12. What do we have to do to meet the security features requirements?
The security features are listed in Section 6.2 of Design Specifications for Cheques
and Deposit Forms. These are shown as security features intended as protection
against alterations (section 6.2.1) and those for protection against counterfeiting
(section 6.2.2). Details of the chosen security features to be printed for a particular
order for cheques must be detailed on the Order for Specially Printed
Cheques/Deposits form.
13. Why has there been a reduction in the maximum height for Micro Printing?
This reduction in the maximum permitted height from 0.3mm to 0.25mm is due to
the improvements in technology of scanning and printing equipment generally
available.
14. What are some examples of Warning Bands?
Generic Warning Band
This cheque is protected by security features which include:
• {insert feature and method of testing};
the absence of this feature could indicate a fraudulent cheque.
The following are suggested Warning Bands:
Example 1
Australian Payments Clearing Association Limited [ABN 12 055 136 519]
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Design Specifications for Cheques and Deposit Forms
Security feature included in this cheque is a microprinted signature line; the absence
of which could indicate a fraudulent cheque.
Example 2
This cheque has been printed on sensitised watermarked paper; hold up to light to
view; the absence of the watermark could indicate a fraudulent cheque.
Example 3
This cheque is protected by security features which include:
• Fineline geometric pattern in background; under a magnifying glass the lines must
be continuous; if not the cheque could be fraudulent.
Example 4
This cheque is protected by security features which include:
• Ultra Violet fluorescent ink pattern, which can be verified under a ultra violet light;
the absence of which could indicate a fraudulent cheque.
Example 5A
This cheque is protected by security features which include:
• Thermochromic ink – the grey* pattern on the reverse of this cheque will
disappear if heated above 27 C*. No visible reaction may indicate a fraudulent
cheque.
Example 5B
This cheque is protected by security features which include:
• Thermochromic ink – the green* pattern on the reverse of this cheque will change
to blue* if heated above 27 C*. No visible reaction may indicate a fraudulent
cheque.
* examples only
Colour
15. How do we know that the PCS is right unless we have printed the job?
When printed on a best endeavours basis, the job will not be rejected. The printer
must be seen to be trying to get it right and make adjustments if necessary at the
next reprint. Where advice from a Financial Institution is ignored at subsequent
reprints, the Institution will be entitled to reject a job.
16. We do not understand foreground and background terminology. Please explain?
Australian Payments Clearing Association Limited [ABN 12 055 136 519]
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Design Specifications for Cheques and Deposit Forms
Foreground printing is the essential readable data, ie data that is or will be printed in
the Areas of Interest, refer Section 2.2 of Design Specifications for Cheques and
Deposit Forms, and must be retained in an image of the document (scan readable).
Background printing, while necessary for the security of the cheque is not to be
retained in an image (scan non-readable).
Australian Payments Clearing Association Limited [ABN 12 055 136 519]
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Design Specifications for Cheques and Deposit Forms
17. Why don’t the Financial Institutions commit to colours by providing a list of the
“acceptable” colours for guidance?
There are too many variations that can affect the outcome, ie:
• Paper
• Printing process
• Design (screen levels, colour matching and mixing, etc)
18. Why do Financial Institutions evaluate colour of the printed product when a machine
colour sample was provided for printing approval?
There are a number of factors that can effect the printing process, see the answer to
question 15 above, which may result in the actual printed product being quite
different to the machine sample supplied for approval despite the printer’s best
endeavours to minimise such variation.
Evaluation samples from the actual print run are tested for colour and the results
advised to the printer along with the test results for MICR and security evaluation.
Toner adhesion and document permanence
19. What do “toner adhesion” and “document permanence” mean?
It is important to ensure that the name of the payee and amount printed on a cheque
cannot be easily removed. Toner adhesion refers to how well the laser printed
details “stick” to the paper if an attempt is made to remove them. Document
permanance depends, naturally, on the degree of toner adhesion and is generally
an indication of how well the printing “remains” on the paper over time.
20. What can I do to ensure good “toner adhesion” and “document permanence”?
The moisture content of the paper will affect the level of toner adhesion and thus
permanance. Printing on paper with a moisture content above 5.5% will adversely
affect toner adhesion which may mean the printing does not have an acceptable
level of permanence.
Un-printed cheque paper, or pre-printed cheque stock, should be stored in a
moisture proof wrapper at all times prior to printing, or in-filling of the amount and
payee details. Paper will gain or lose moisture depending on the relative humidity of
the air if it is not kept in a moisture proof wrapper prior to printing. Refer Design
Specifications for Cheques and Deposit Forms.
Australian Payments Clearing Association Limited [ABN 12 055 136 519]
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