Return check items sometimes must be processed in the traditional way as a paper document. The end user customer of banks wants to see the return check item either in their statement, advice letter or in a format for re-presentment.

Electronic Forward presentment items sometimes need to be converted to paper as a substitute check – Image Replacement Document or Canadian Replacement Document.

IRDs and CRDs printed with All My Papers software are in conformance with X9.100-140 standard in the U.S. and with CPA Standard 014 in Canada by meeting the following requirements:

• Accurately represents all information on the front and back of the original check.
• Contains the legend “This is a legal copy of your check. It is in fact, a Substitute Check and you can use it the same way you would use the original check.” (U.S. IRDs only)
• Conforms to applicable industry standards for MICR line formatting.
• Conforms to industry standards for the physical characteristics of checks.

ANSI X9.100-140:2008 has these differences from the previous standard which are summarized below.

• Truncating institution’s routing number and business date print order is reversed in the truncator information block.
• Return Reason Overlay uses abbreviated language and is placed horizontally to limit printing on the check image.
• Return Reason code is added to the endorsements on the back of the check image.
• Additional Return Codes are added.

IRD Print Standard

All My Papers IRD Print® software prints accurate Image Replacement Documents (substitute checks) from Image Cash Letter (ICL) files.

IRD Print Product Page

The software conforms to ANSI X9.100-140:2008, which becomes a mandatory standard in November 2010.

What is an IRD?

An Image Replacement Document (IRD) is a substitute paper equivalent of an electronic check from an ICL file. It may be used as the legal equivalent of the original check.

Any printer can print output that looks like an IRD, but not all printers can print a valid IRD. If an IRD is not printed to the exact standards, then it may be rejected by the receiving institution, which would deny funds. Therefore, it is extremely important to employ technology that can ensure accurate printing of valid IRDs.

How IRDs Are Created?

Image Cash Letter (ICL) files consist of check images and associated textual data. ICL items can be printed as IRDs with the proper software.

What Does an IRD Look Like?

Printing items for forward presentment, or return items for re-presentment, requires IRD software that will properly format the check image and associated data as shown in the example Return IRD below.

Why Do I Need IRDs?

An IRD is used whenever an electronic check image needs to be converted to a traditional paper check equivalent for the clearing process.

Exception Processing

Each day more and more paper checks are scanned and processed with Check 21 imaging solutions, and converted into electronic items within ICL files. There will be exceptions when the processing of one or more items cannot continue as electronic items.

Non-image enabled financial organizations require IRDs to process electronic checks through their paper check system.

Sometimes one or two items in an ICL are not valid and must be separated and handled as paper. If these items can be separated from the cash letter, then the balance of the items in the electronic ICL file can be sent on through the presentment chain, preserving work flow and meeting processing time windows.

Return items that have been imaged, but now need to be processed or represented as paper, can be converted to IRDs. These return items will have the reasons for the return printed on the IRD.

Statement processing and advice letters need to include a check image. An IRD can be used for those instances.

All MY Papers X9 VIEWER® Software allows you to view, select, print as IRD, then delete from the ICL. The X9 VIEWER software will rebalance the remaining items in the ICL file.

Differences in IRDS from 2004 to 2008 Standard

ANSI X9.100-140:2008 has these differences from the previous standard.

Front of IRD - Return Reason Overlay uses abbreviated language and is placed horizontally to limit printing on the check image as shown below

Front of IRD - Truncating Bank Information Lines are reversed as shown below

Back of IRD - Printed Return Reason Code is added to the endorsements block

CRD Print Standard

The Canadian Payments Association has implemented Standard 014 defining how Canadian Replacement Documents (CRDs) will be printed and how the source files used to convert CRs to paper are constructed and formatted.

All My Papers IRD Print software prints accurate Canadian Replacement Documents from Image Cash Letter (ICL) files.

IRD/CRD Print Product Page

The software conforms to the Canadian Payments Association Standard CPA 014.

What is a CRD?

An Canadian Replacement Document (CRD) is a substitute paper equivalent of an electronic check from an ICL file. It may be used as the legal equivalent of the original check.

Any printer can print output that looks like an CRD, but not all printers can print a valid CRD. If a CRD is not printed to the exact standards, then it may be rejected by the receiving institution, which would deny funds. Therefore, it is extremely important to employ technology that can ensure accurate printing of valid IRDs.

How CRDs Are Created?

Image Cash Letter (ICL) files consist of check images and associated textual data. ICL items can be printed as CRDs with the proper software.