Highly sensitive negotiable documents like checks or insurance polices demand extra safety and protection against forging. And they have to be processed rapidely. For this the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) technology was developed. Initiated by the American Bank Association it was later adopted as ANSI X9.27 "E13-B" standard by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). MICR is still in use today for all check clearing operations not only within the USA.

MICR is available as an option for the Océ VarioPrint 5000 cutsheet printer and most models of the Océ VarioStream 7000 and Océ VarioStream 8000 continuous feed series.