I was wondering what experience dealers have had with using a dot matrix printer to print 7" multiple part checks in ADAGIO AP. I have a client who wants to use up a large stack of his 3 part checks before switching to laser checks. Don't know what brand the printer is. Any thoughts would be welcome.

Define "large stack". It's almost always not worth it.

My 2 cents.

Don't know what a large stack means to folks in Guam, but they really want to use them up. I've been using dot matrix for invoices in OE and it works fine with the correct font. But I don't know how it is to print the 7" documents. If we can do it it means a AP, AR, GL and lanpak sale. I could send them free blank checks as an incentive to move to lasers. I could offer them that.

3 parts fit into 7"? The advices must be small...

Adagio can print to dot matrix printers and 7" forms, but we don't guarantee that it will work and we don't guarantee that it will be easy to set up. This is because the process relies on what the printer can do. And we can't recommend a different dot matrix printer if theirs doesn't work.

In short form, you have to:
- Edit the check spec and set the page size to Custom and the page height to 7", from the File / Specifications menu.
- Change all field fonts to Courier or something not True Type or proportional.
- Print preview within the designer to see that the layout appears to be 8.5 x 7". This determines that the printer driver can deal with the custom page size.

- You may need to set up a generic / text printer driver rather than the factory printer driver, and define this as the 'Specific check printer' in Adagio Payables within the File / Options screen.

- **Ensure that the dot matrix printer supports a 7" form size. If you cannot click the form feed on the printer to eject 7" worth of paper, it is a deal breaker and not worth moving forward on this. This is because dot matrix printers deal with page breaks differently that the Windows / Laser printer world.

Tech Support is used to hearing of consultants spending hours of their time in trying to tweak the spec and/or printer to get the forms to print on a dot matrix, sometimes without success. Just so you are aware of what you may be getting into in order for the client to save a little bit on pre-printed dot matrix forms - they may potentially spend even more on the spec then what they are saving in the forms. That's why Andrew asked for the size of the stack - how much $$ are they trying to save there and can that be justified in the consulting cost?

Hi Robert:

You are in Portland and your client is in Guam? Unless you are going to visit them, I wouldn't even consider this.

Even if the client decides that their stack of cheques is somehow worth more than the cost for you to format their cheques, the process will be prone to problems.

To be 100% certain that it will work, you should be sitting at their computer, testing with their specific printer and configuring their Windows. Otherwise you could do a great job in your office, but find that it won't work in their office.

Almost always form creep will be a problem after 20 or more forms are printed. Seems as .002 or .003 inch cannot be compensated for in a 7 inch form. Some amount of creep cannot be seen in a few forms, but adds up in a long print run.

Thank you for your information on this matter. I have forwarded all the responses to them. Hopefully they will have a change of heart. Anyone elses experience I'd appreciate to hear from you.

Hi Bob

Don't do it. If this is a big issue to them and they are otherwise a nice client, offer to reimburse them for the cost of the checks. Whenever I see a 7" dot matrix form at a client, I have a panic attack.

Steve

Bob:

My quote;

$1,050 to get it working. Must be using an Okidata 320 printer. Given that both the printer and workstation must be configured and tested you will have to fly me to Guam to deliver the solution.

On the other hand DOT Matrix cheques have been dead for many years and laser cheques will not cost you nearly as much as setting up a DOT Matric printer, in fact I'd like to offer to help you our by providing an equivalent quantity of laser cheques for you to use. (I would bold the last sentence).

No other accounting software is going to do a better job of dealing with DOT Matrix cheques. Good luck.