Suggestions needed on printing checks

I need to print checks with a stub. The information on the stub may cause
it to go to a second page. I wish to use standard check stock in bin 1 of a
printer and place standard paper in bin 2 of the same printer. I wish to
print page 1 from bin 1 (check stock) and any subsequent pages from bin 2
(standard paper). I also want to print a signature graphic.

Is this possible using a standard FoxPro report? (Specifically the
switching of bins).

If not would the @SAY method of printing be a better solution?

Would the ??? method of printing be the best choice?

Is it better to print the MICR and check image on plain paper using magnetic
toner (any suggestions for a printer)?

or, Is there a third party solution I am unaware of that would help?

The trick is the switching of bins. I have tried many ways to do the report
form, but the escape sequences are sent to the report (and printing as
qarbage) instead of controling the printer.

TIA
Mark

Leemi
Wed Jun 29 08:56:43 CDT 2005

Hi Mark:

You are nearly always better off in the long run using a report form
instead of question marks or @...SAY commands. Regarding switching printer
trays, Cathy Pountney's book The Visual FoxPro Report Writer: Pushing it to
the Limit and Beyond (www.hentzenwerke.com) has a technique to switch the
paper tray. See page 235 and a program call Changetray.prg.

The best way to print a signature is to have the signature stored in an
image and then print the image in the report.

Sending escape sequences through a report form does not work. All
information sent to the printer from a report goes thought the Windows
printer driver first.

You can use question marks and @...SAYs to print reports, and many people
do so. However, sending control codes to printers under Windows
NT4/2000/XP/2003 can be problematic. The system security is much tighter
under those operating systems than under the Windows 9x series.

While I don't recommend you using question marks and @...SAY commands, here
are some articles we have:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;99542
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;99595

There may a third-party solution for printing checks, but I am not sure.
You might want to search the download section of www.universalthread.com or
check the software for sale a www.hallogram.com.

I hope this helps.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Sincerely,
Microsoft FoxPro Technical Support
Lee Mitchell

*-- VFP9 HAS ARRIVED!! --*
Read about all the new features of VFP9 here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vfoxpro/

*--Purchase VFP 9.0 here:
http://www.microsoft.com/PRODUCTS/info/product.aspx?view=22&pcid=54787e64-52
69-4500-8bf2-3f06689f4ab3&type=ovr

Keep an eye on the product lifecycle for Visual FoxPro here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=fh;[ln];lifeprodv
- VFP5 Mainstream Support retired June 30th, 2003
- VFP6 Mainstream Support retired Sept. 30th, 2003

>I need to print checks with a stub. The information on the stub may cause
>it to go to a second page. I wish to use standard check stock in bin 1 of
a
>printer and place standard paper in bin 2 of the same printer. I wish to
>print page 1 from bin 1 (check stock) and any subsequent pages from bin 2
>(standard paper). I also want to print a signature graphic.

>Is this possible using a standard FoxPro report? (Specifically the
>switching of bins).

>If not would the @SAY method of printing be a better solution?

>Would the ??? method of printing be the best choice?

>Is it better to print the MICR and check image on plain paper using
magnetic
>toner (any suggestions for a printer)?

>or, Is there a third party solution I am unaware of that would help?

>The trick is the switching of bins. I have tried many ways to do the
report
>form, but the escape sequences are sent to the report (and printing as
>qarbage) instead of controling the printer.

>TIA
>Mark

Dan
Wed Jun 29 11:15:50 CDT 2005

We've used VFP's report writer to print checks/stubs since VFP5.

I wouldn't even want to contemplate going to a two-page layout. And,
honestly, I can't remember a time I've ever *received* a check like that.
Any time the stub needs to overflow beyond the "stub" area, the check is
usually accompanied by a separate piece of paper.

For MICR, HP is the only way to go (IMO). They sell special MICR toner
cartridges. Just be sure to put a pause in your program while people insert
check stock (and possibly to change toner cartridges). We let people set up
default printers for reports and a separate default printer for checks.

Our biggest challenge is yo-yo customers that do things like installing
other apps that overwrite our MICR font. <g> The latest caused VFP to blow
up spectacularly but only on preview. It printed without error, but the
character mapping was different so all the MICR lines were scrambled. Took
our support people quite a while to chase this one down.

Dan

Mark Butler wrote:
> I need to print checks with a stub. The information on the stub may
> cause it to go to a second page. I wish to use standard check stock
> in bin 1 of a printer and place standard paper in bin 2 of the same
> printer. I wish to print page 1 from bin 1 (check stock) and any
> subsequent pages from bin 2 (standard paper). I also want to print a
> signature graphic.
>
> Is this possible using a standard FoxPro report? (Specifically the
> switching of bins).
>
> If not would the @SAY method of printing be a better solution?
>
> Would the ??? method of printing be the best choice?
>
> Is it better to print the MICR and check image on plain paper using
> magnetic toner (any suggestions for a printer)?
>
> or, Is there a third party solution I am unaware of that would help?
>
> The trick is the switching of bins. I have tried many ways to do the
> report form, but the escape sequences are sent to the report (and
> printing as qarbage) instead of controling the printer.
>
> TIA
> Mark

Mark
Wed Jun 29 11:59:18 CDT 2005

The application is cutting checks to doctors from the insurance company
where the insurance company is receiving many bills from a doctor for
different patients. The stub is then used to show each bill, how much was
paid, or why it was not paid. Each check therfore is paying xx number of
bills for various patients and that is why the stub may be an undertermined
number of pages.

Thanx for your input...
Mark


"Dan Freeman" <spam@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ObEVSXMfFHA.2392@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> We've used VFP's report writer to print checks/stubs since VFP5.
>
> I wouldn't even want to contemplate going to a two-page layout. And,
> honestly, I can't remember a time I've ever *received* a check like that.
> Any time the stub needs to overflow beyond the "stub" area, the check is
> usually accompanied by a separate piece of paper.
>
> For MICR, HP is the only way to go (IMO). They sell special MICR toner
> cartridges. Just be sure to put a pause in your program while people
> insert
> check stock (and possibly to change toner cartridges). We let people set
> up
> default printers for reports and a separate default printer for checks.
>
> Our biggest challenge is yo-yo customers that do things like installing
> other apps that overwrite our MICR font. <g> The latest caused VFP to blow
> up spectacularly but only on preview. It printed without error, but the
> character mapping was different so all the MICR lines were scrambled. Took
> our support people quite a while to chase this one down.
>
> Dan
>
> Mark Butler wrote:
>> I need to print checks with a stub. The information on the stub may
>> cause it to go to a second page. I wish to use standard check stock
>> in bin 1 of a printer and place standard paper in bin 2 of the same
>> printer. I wish to print page 1 from bin 1 (check stock) and any
>> subsequent pages from bin 2 (standard paper). I also want to print a
>> signature graphic.
>>
>> Is this possible using a standard FoxPro report? (Specifically the
>> switching of bins).
>>
>> If not would the @SAY method of printing be a better solution?
>>
>> Would the ??? method of printing be the best choice?
>>
>> Is it better to print the MICR and check image on plain paper using
>> magnetic toner (any suggestions for a printer)?
>>
>> or, Is there a third party solution I am unaware of that would help?
>>
>> The trick is the switching of bins. I have tried many ways to do the
>> report form, but the escape sequences are sent to the report (and
>> printing as qarbage) instead of controling the printer.
>>
>> TIA
>> Mark
>
>

Dan
Wed Jun 29 12:37:14 CDT 2005

Very similar situation to ours. We print reimbursement checks for medical
claims.

We allow a finite number of claims to print on the check stub, with a
message to contact the administrator if more information is needed. The
administrator can provide a full detail report on request.

I've still never seen a multi-page check stub. <s>

Dan


Mark Butler wrote:
> The application is cutting checks to doctors from the insurance
> company where the insurance company is receiving many bills from a
> doctor for different patients. The stub is then used to show each
> bill, how much was paid, or why it was not paid. Each check therfore
> is paying xx number of bills for various patients and that is why the
> stub may be an undertermined number of pages.
>
> Thanx for your input...
> Mark
>
>
> "Dan Freeman" <spam@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:ObEVSXMfFHA.2392@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> We've used VFP's report writer to print checks/stubs since VFP5.
>>
>> I wouldn't even want to contemplate going to a two-page layout. And,
>> honestly, I can't remember a time I've ever *received* a check like
>> that. Any time the stub needs to overflow beyond the "stub" area,
>> the check is usually accompanied by a separate piece of paper.
>>
>> For MICR, HP is the only way to go (IMO). They sell special MICR
>> toner cartridges. Just be sure to put a pause in your program while
>> people insert
>> check stock (and possibly to change toner cartridges). We let people
>> set up
>> default printers for reports and a separate default printer for
>> checks.
>>
>> Our biggest challenge is yo-yo customers that do things like
>> installing other apps that overwrite our MICR font. <g> The latest
>> caused VFP to blow up spectacularly but only on preview. It printed
>> without error, but the character mapping was different so all the
>> MICR lines were scrambled. Took our support people quite a while to
>> chase this one down.
>>
>> Dan
>>
>> Mark Butler wrote:
>>> I need to print checks with a stub. The information on the stub may
>>> cause it to go to a second page. I wish to use standard check stock
>>> in bin 1 of a printer and place standard paper in bin 2 of the same
>>> printer. I wish to print page 1 from bin 1 (check stock) and any
>>> subsequent pages from bin 2 (standard paper). I also want to print
>>> a signature graphic.
>>>
>>> Is this possible using a standard FoxPro report? (Specifically the
>>> switching of bins).
>>>
>>> If not would the @SAY method of printing be a better solution?
>>>
>>> Would the ??? method of printing be the best choice?
>>>
>>> Is it better to print the MICR and check image on plain paper using
>>> magnetic toner (any suggestions for a printer)?
>>>
>>> or, Is there a third party solution I am unaware of that would help?
>>>
>>> The trick is the switching of bins. I have tried many ways to do
>>> the report form, but the escape sequences are sent to the report
>>> (and printing as qarbage) instead of controling the printer.
>>>
>>> TIA
>>> Mark

Al
Wed Jun 29 14:59:16 CDT 2005

we routinely do this by printing on the next check stub(s) for overflow
the 2nd + checks have VOID printed on them; these are saved with co.
retained stubs.

this works for us since there are relatively few overflows and
hardly ever 3 (I have never seen 4+ but it could happen)

al


"Mark Butler" <mredhat_nospam@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:O6ZiJ$EfFHA.1044@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> I need to print checks with a stub. The information on the stub may cause
> it to go to a second page. I wish to use standard check stock in bin 1 of
a
> printer and place standard paper in bin 2 of the same printer. I wish to
> print page 1 from bin 1 (check stock) and any subsequent pages from bin 2
> (standard paper). I also want to print a signature graphic.
>
> Is this possible using a standard FoxPro report? (Specifically the
> switching of bins).
>
> If not would the @SAY method of printing be a better solution?
>
> Would the ??? method of printing be the best choice?
>
> Is it better to print the MICR and check image on plain paper using
magnetic
> toner (any suggestions for a printer)?
>
> or, Is there a third party solution I am unaware of that would help?
>
> The trick is the switching of bins. I have tried many ways to do the
report
> form, but the escape sequences are sent to the report (and printing as
> qarbage) instead of controling the printer.
>
> TIA
> Mark
>
>

Jan
Fri Jul 01 07:10:05 CDT 2005

Mark,

Just my .02 worth. If you have a situation where you need to produce a
report on pre-printed stationery and potentially the amount of information
is to much to fit on one page, a better option (if possible) would be to
produce a notification type report on the pre-printed stationery and then
the detailed info on plain paper. To be more clear, the sheet with the
cheque attached should show summary informtion regarding the payment such as
processing period total amount paid, no of "invoices" paid, perhaps some
addressing info substantiating the payee and maybe something like a
statistcal summary ie. single unit visits (10 minute visit) two unit visits
(20 minute visits). and so on.

The main gist here is that the page with the cheque attached should contain
data in fixed format (a known entity?) and then the variable stuff comes out
on the plain paper.

Hard to put into words but I hope it makes sense and is of use.

Jan


"Mark Butler" <mredhat_nospam@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:OwAFQvMfFHA.352@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> The application is cutting checks to doctors from the insurance company
> where the insurance company is receiving many bills from a doctor for
> different patients. The stub is then used to show each bill, how much was
> paid, or why it was not paid. Each check therfore is paying xx number of
> bills for various patients and that is why the stub may be an
> undertermined number of pages.
>
> Thanx for your input...
> Mark
>
>
> "Dan Freeman" <spam@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:ObEVSXMfFHA.2392@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> We've used VFP's report writer to print checks/stubs since VFP5.
>>
>> I wouldn't even want to contemplate going to a two-page layout. And,
>> honestly, I can't remember a time I've ever *received* a check like that.
>> Any time the stub needs to overflow beyond the "stub" area, the check is
>> usually accompanied by a separate piece of paper.
>>
>> For MICR, HP is the only way to go (IMO). They sell special MICR toner
>> cartridges. Just be sure to put a pause in your program while people
>> insert
>> check stock (and possibly to change toner cartridges). We let people set
>> up
>> default printers for reports and a separate default printer for checks.
>>
>> Our biggest challenge is yo-yo customers that do things like installing
>> other apps that overwrite our MICR font. <g> The latest caused VFP to
>> blow
>> up spectacularly but only on preview. It printed without error, but the
>> character mapping was different so all the MICR lines were scrambled.
>> Took
>> our support people quite a while to chase this one down.
>>
>> Dan
>>
>> Mark Butler wrote:
>>> I need to print checks with a stub. The information on the stub may
>>> cause it to go to a second page. I wish to use standard check stock
>>> in bin 1 of a printer and place standard paper in bin 2 of the same
>>> printer. I wish to print page 1 from bin 1 (check stock) and any
>>> subsequent pages from bin 2 (standard paper). I also want to print a
>>> signature graphic.
>>>
>>> Is this possible using a standard FoxPro report? (Specifically the
>>> switching of bins).
>>>
>>> If not would the @SAY method of printing be a better solution?
>>>
>>> Would the ??? method of printing be the best choice?
>>>
>>> Is it better to print the MICR and check image on plain paper using
>>> magnetic toner (any suggestions for a printer)?
>>>
>>> or, Is there a third party solution I am unaware of that would help?
>>>
>>> The trick is the switching of bins. I have tried many ways to do the
>>> report form, but the escape sequences are sent to the report (and
>>> printing as qarbage) instead of controling the printer.
>>>
>>> TIA
>>> Mark
>>
>>
>
>

KevClark64
Wed Jul 06 10:39:05 CDT 2005

It occurs to me that you can have a routine run on exit from the page
footer. Theoretically, you could set up a function that would run
after the first page footer was printed which would switch to another
tray. There must be a FoxPro or Windows API function that could be
called to switch trays.

Kevin Clark
Seton Home Study School