Abstract: A magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) encoder device which is used for processing checks. The MICR encoder utilizes a dot matrix printer head for printing numerical information on checks. The MICR encoder comprises a self-contained housing for housing a guiding assembly, a transporting assembly, a detection assembly, a printing assembly, a microprocessor, and a stepper motor. The printing assembly includes a ribbon cartridge and a dot matrix printer head coupled to the ribbon cartridge for printing characters on the check. The dot matrix printer head has an extended head portion with nine tip wires thereon, where the characters are printed continuously on the check while the check is traveling through the guide assembly, thereby eliminating the need to stop the check for printing as taught by prior art MICR encoder devices.