>>3) If I use normal toner to print the MICR symbols using an MICR font...can the bank still read it? I realize they can't use the normal magnetic process, but was curious if they'd charge more to read it manually, or if they'd just flat-out reject the check
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>I have a client who uses regular tonor on their laser checks and the bank has never complained. Most check scanners now-a-days MICR and OCR process checks. My guess is that the OCR software is probably setup to OCR the MICR line when the MICR magnetic reader fails. I think ABA standards still "Require" MICR to use the magnetic tonor, but I'd probably wait until the bank complains.

We have mixed luck with using "regular" toner. It mostly depends on how much magnetic material is in that toner batch. It turned out not to be worth it to us to not use the MICR toner on the HP printers.