STANDARD 006 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MICR-ENCODED PAYMENT

ITEMS

A COMPANION GUIDE

FEBRUARY 2008

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 Standard 006 Compliance Guide

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This document is a compliance guide which is intended as a resource to assist with the
planning, design and printing of MICR documents that will conform to Standard 006,
“Specifications for MICR-Encoded Payment Items”.

This guide highlights and summarizes Standard 006 specifications to help ensure successful
cheque test results.

Those parties interested in obtaining more specific information pertaining to the design or
production of MICR-encoded documents are referred to Standard 006.

1.1 SCOPE AND PURPOSE

This guide provides an overview of the Standard, instructions for submitting documents to your
financial institution for testing, and answers to some frequently asked questions.

This guide is provided for assistance purposes only. Standard 006 should be relied upon for
more detailed information concerning cheque design.

1.2 BACKGROUND

In January 2005, the Canadian Payments Association (CPA) published new specifications to
help ensure that high quality images of cheques can be captured in an image based clearing
environment.

Businesses that are reprinting cheques or ordering a new supply should confirm that their
cheques comply with these specifications. To ensure compliance, it is highly recommended that
sample cheques be submitted to your financial institution for image and MICR testing.

To assist business customers in making a smooth transition, the CPA has introduced a grace
period for “old-format” business cheques until September 2, 2008. This grace period will allow
those businesses that are still working on the changes to use up their existing supply of
cheques and to complete any required changes.

2.0 DOCUMENT TESTING PROCESS

Each Financial Institution may follow slightly different procedures to ensure that documents
meet both the MICR and Image specifications.

What does your Financial Institution need in order to complete your cheque testing?

In order to complete full MICR and Imageability testing on your cheques, your Financial
Institution will require some samples of your cheque stock. Your Financial Institution may
request unpopulated and/or populated cheque samples.

A populated cheque sample refers to a cheque sample where all the required payment
information has been fully completed (e.g. payment information has been entered on the
cheque). The payment information can be either computer generated, or handwritten.

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 Standard 006 Compliance Guide

An unpopulated cheque sample refers to a cheque sample that has not been changed from the
format provided by the cheque printer (e.g. blank cheque stock).

How will your financial institution determine the results of your cheque test?

This section outlines a typical test process. Please refer to your financial institution for more
information on the specific cheque testing process to be followed including the requirements for
submitting cheques to be tested.

1. Financial Institutions will likely perform a Dynamic Contrast Ratio (DCR) test1. This is a
preliminary step to ensure that the cheque image is clutter free or to identify problems in
areas of interest that will require further testing.
2. Criteria requiring presence of elements or distance measurements would be verified by
visual inspection of data elements or by use of gauges or automated measurement tools.
3. If the results of the DCR test call into question any of the critical areas (e.g. some clutter
visible), more detailed testing will be performed on the specific area in question.
4. If deficiencies are identified, testing will result in either a “Fail” or “Caution” depending on
the criticality of the area in question.
5. A “Fail” result will mean that cheque samples must be re-printed for subsequent testing. A
“Caution” result will mean samples can be used as is, but cautionary areas should be
corrected prior to the next re-print of stock.

For more information about cheque testing processes and timelines, please consult with your
Financial Institution.

3.0 TOLERANCES

In recognition of the fact that precision is difficult to achieve in some areas of the printing
process, CPA members have incorporated some tolerance levels into the testing process.

Allowable tolerance levels are as follows:

1. Document Sizes: 1/16” (1.58mm) tolerance on the size of the documents.

2. MICR Clear Band: 1/16” (1.58mm) tolerance on the height of the 5/8” (15.87mm) MICR
clear band.
3. Positioning and spacing of MICR Characters: As already provided for in Standard 006,
refer to section 4.0.
4. PCS Levels: A tolerance of 0.02 on all PCS levels. (Exception: A tolerance of 0.07 has
been set for any areas on the back of the item which have a maximum PCS of 0.25)
5. Location of Dollar sign: As already provided for in Standard 006, refer to section 5.4.2 or
5.4.3.
6. Positioning of Verification Phrase: 1/16” (1.58mm) tolerance on vertical and horizontal
positioning.

1
A DCR test is a method of testing the contrast of the foreground to the background at a DCR ratio of .20. The
DCR test compares the reflectance of each individual pixel in a cheque image to the average of the background
reflectance of 1/8” (3.17mm) area samples over the entire image. When a DCR test is performed, the computer
makes a calculation for each pixel, assigning each pixel a value of white or black. The resulting image, displayed
for the operator, makes it easy to assess the legibility of the item and is the closest representation of an item’s image
produced by image capture devices.

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 Standard 006 Compliance Guide

7. Positioning of Endorsement Line: 1/16” (1.58mm) tolerance on vertical and horizontal

positioning.
8. Positioning of Teller Stamp Here Box: 1/16” (1.58mm) tolerance on vertical and
horizontal positioning.

Note: These tolerance levels (with the exception of #3 and #5) are not documented in Standard
006. This is due to the fact that the impact of these tolerances in a production environment is
unknown. Members may review and adjust tolerance levels if any negative impacts are realized
in a full imaging environment. Once more experience is gained in the production environment,
consideration will be given to including these tolerances in Standard 006.

4.0 STANDARD 006 SPECIFICATIONS

Design Standard 006 Specification Tolerance

Element Reference

Date Field
Presence (§5.4.1 #6) There must be a Date Field

Location (§5.4.1 #6) Date Field must be located in top right hand corner of
cheque.
Clear Area (§2.2) Minimum 0.10” (2.54mm) around the Date Field
Format (§5.4.1 #6) Must be one of the three accepted numeric
representations (YYYYMMDD, MMDDYYYY,
DDMMYYYY).
Payor Filled (§5.3) Must contain no slashes (only dots, dashes or spaces are
data in Date permitted).
Field
Must be minimum 10 point font size, if computer
generated.

Must be in dark or black ink (that shows on image).

Must be above date field indicators and to the right of the

word “DATE”
Font Size of (§5.4.1 #6) Must be minimum 8 point font size
word “DATE”
Position of (§5.4.1 #6) Must precede the Date Field.
word “Date”
Must have ¾” (19.05mm) clear area to the left of the word
“DATE”
Date Field (§5.4.1 #6) Must be minimum 6 point font, maximum 8 point font
Indicators
Must be PCS of 0.60 or more. PCS 0.02
PCS of (§5.4.1 #6) If present, must be PCS of 0.30 or less. PCS 0.02
Guidance
Boxes
PCS of (§5.4.1 #6) If present, must be PCS of 0.30 or less. PCS 0.02
Guidance
Characters

Amount in Figures
Presence (§5.4.1 #8) There must be an Amount in Figures.

Location (§5.4.2) Amount in Figures and its Clear Area must fall within scan Location
area.

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Design Standard 006 Specification Tolerance

Element Reference

Outline of (§5.4.4 Table 1) If present, must be PCS of 0.30 or less. PCS 0.02
Convenience
Amount
Rectangle
Size of (§5.4.2 and If Convenience Amount Rectangle is visible it must
Convenience 5.4.3) comply with minimum and maximum dimensions in
Amount section 5.4.2 (personal cheque) or section 5.4.3
Rectangle (business cheque).
Only one (§5.4.1 #8) Must be only one Amount in Figures within the Scan Area
Amount in
Figures
Clear Area (§2.2) Minimum 0.10” (2.54mm) around the Convenience
Amount Rectangle and the Dollar Sign.

If Convenience Amount Rectangle is not visible, 0.10”

(2.54mm) will be measured around DIGITS and Dollar
Sign
Payor Filled (§5.3) Must be minimum 10 point font size if computer generated
Information in
Amount in Must be no alphabetic characters
Figures Field
Must be in black or dark ink (that shows on image)
Dollar Sign (§5.4.2) Must be centered vertically on amount in figures.

Must have one unbroken vertical line

Must not be slanted.

Must be PCS of 0.60 or greater PCS 0.02

Must be minimum 10 point font

Amount in Words Field
Location (§5.4.1 #9) If present, must be to the left of the Amount in Figures,
and either above or below the Payee Name Field.
Clearance (§2.2) Must be 0.10” (2.54mm) around the information in the
Amount in Words field, if present.
Contents (§5.3) Any asterisks must be BEFORE amount in words.

Must be minimum 10 point font size if computer

generated.

Must be in black or dark ink (that shows on image)

Payee Name Field
Location (§ 5.4.1 #7) Must be to the left of the Amount in Figures

Clearance (§2.2) Minimum 0.10” (2.54mm) around Information in Payee

Name Field.
Payor Filled (§5.3) Must be minimum 10 point font size if computer
information in generated.
Payee Name
Field Must be in black or dark ink (that shows on image)
Other Layout Requirements
Signature Line (§5.4.1 #10) Must be ABOVE 5/8” (15.87mm) MICR Clear Band 1/16” (1.58mm)
Area
It is acceptable to have no line.

It is acceptable for words such as “per” or “authorized

signature” to appear in Signature Line Area

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Design Standard 006 Specification Tolerance

Element Reference

CPA Member (§5.4.1 #1) Must be present

Name
Must be PCS of 0.60 or greater PCS 0.02

Must be minimum 6 point font size

Currency (§5.4.1 #11) Must be present on ALL items requiring a currency
Designation designation.

CDN items do not require a Currency Identifier, if they

have one they must adhere to following as well.

Must be located to the right of or below word “Dollars” OR

beneath the Convenience Amount Rectangle, not closer
than 0.10” (2.54mm).
General Requirements
Cheque Size (§3.3) Length must be minimum 6 ¼” (158.75mm) maximum 1/16” (1.58mm)
8 ½” (215.90mm)
1/16” (1.58mm)
Width must be minimum 2 ¾” (69.85mm) maximum 3 ¾”
(95.25mm)
Inverse (§5.3) Must be no inverse printing in any Areas of Interest.
Printing
Slanted or (§5.3) Must not be used in any Areas of Interest.
Italicized Fonts
Security (§5.2) Must not interfere with any Areas of Interest
Features
Must be no “Void Pantograph” visible on image
Pre-Printed (§5.1) Must be minimum PCS of 0.60. PCS 0.02
Information
PCS

Conditional There must be no conditional statements (Exception:

Statements Conditional Statements are permitted on Bank Drafts and
Money Orders, Travellers Cheques, and Gift Certificates
and Store Coupons. Refer to CPA Rule A1)
Background of (§5.1 and §5.4.4 Must not interfere with any Data Elements or their Areas
Document Table 1) of Interest once imaged.

Background in Areas of Interest must be PCS of 0.30 or PCS 0.02

less.

Paxel Count of Background in Areas of Interest must be

12 or less.

Reflectance in Areas of Interest must be 40% avg. min.

Except Amount in Figures which must be 60% min)
Paper Quality (§3.1) Must comply with specifications outlined in section 3.1

Carbon Strips (§3.2) Must be no carbon strips

Perforations (§3.6.1) Must not have a non-detachable border or statement
MICR
MICR Printing (§4.0) Must be E-13B

Must be magnetic ink

Must comply with all technical specifications in Section 4.0

and Appendix I

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Design Standard 006 Specification Tolerance

Element Reference

MICR Fields (§4.4) All mandatory fields must be present.

and
Positioning Positioning must comply with FI Spec Sheets.
5/8” (§4.2) No Borders 1/16” (1.58mm)
(15.87mm)
MICR Clear No printing in PCS of 0.30 or greater PCS 0.02
Band
Guide Marks must not be printed in magnetic ink and if
located within the clear band, must adhere to the size and
location specified in section 3.6.2.
Transaction (§4.4.2.1) Must be present on USD items requiring a Transaction
Code 45 Code 45.

Positioning must comply with FI spec sheets.

Back of Item
“Teller Stamp (§5.4.5 #1) Must be present.
Here Box”
Presence
“Teller Stamp (§2.2) Minimum 0.10” (2.54mm) around the “Teller Stamp Here
Here Box” Box”
Clearance

“Teller Stamp (§5.4.5 #1) Must have PCS of 0.25 or less. PCS 0.07
Here Box”
PCS

Endorsement (§5.4.5 #2) Must be present.

Line Area
Presence and Must be no closer than 3.5” (88.90mm) to the left edge 1/16” (1.58mm)
Location and 1.5” (38.10mm) to the bottom edge and 0.5”
(12.70mm) to the right edge.
Endorsement (§5.4.5 #2) Phrase must be present
Line Area
“Phrase”

Verification (§5.4.5 #3) Must be present.

Phrase
Presence and Must be located 1” (25.4mm) from bottom of document 1/16” (1.58mm)
Location and 3.5” (88.90mm) from left edge of document)

Verification (§5.4.5 #3) Must be in PCS of minimum 0.60. PCS 0.02

Phrase PCS
Verification (§2.2) Minimum 0.10” (2.54mm) around Phase
Phrase
Clearance
Verification (§5.4.5 #3) Must be one of the variations specified in Standard 006,
Phrase section 5.4.5
Content
Verification (§5.4.5 #3) Must be minimum 10 point font size.
Phrase Font
Informational (§5.4.5) If present, must be in upper right hand corner.
Printing
greater Must not interfere with any Areas of Interest
than PCS 0.60
on Back of
Document

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Design Standard 006 Specification Tolerance

Element Reference

1” (25.4mm) (§5.4.5) Must be no printing in PCS greater than 0.25 in this area PCS 0.07
Area from (including MICR bleed through)
Bottom edge of
Back of
Document

5.0 TROUBLE SHOOTING DURING THE CHEQUE DESIGN AND CHEQUE TESTING PROCESS

In the event that issues are encountered during the cheque design or testing process, the
following escalation procedure is recommended:

1. To obtain advice, input, or clarifications on the Standard during the cheque design process.
a. Contact your Financial Institution.
b. Contact the CPA.

2. Cheque printer/customer does not agree with cheque test results:

a. Contact Financial Institution for resolution.
b. In the event resolution was not achieved, contact the CPA:

If necessary, the CPA will refer the matter to contacts within the Financial Institution
in question. [Note: the CPA may provide interpretations of Standard 006; however,
the CPA is not in a position to independently verify or arbitrate testing results].

3. To obtain MICR Specification Sheets

a. Contact your Financial Institution
b. Contact the CPA. The CPA cannot provide MICR spec sheets, but can assist by
referring the matter to contacts within the Financial Institution in question.

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