Gaithersburg, MD - MCS, an industry leader in industrial inkjet solutions and mail manufacturing solutions, is announcing the Merlin K146M. The K146M is the first low cost MiCR capable process color inkjet press for check printing. This cut sheet press is a follow-up to the extremely successful Merlin K146c released four years ago. The Merlin adds to the MCS portfolio of MiCR options including the MCS Eagle 40 which can be used on both web and cut sheet applications.

The Merlin K146M digital inkjet MiCR press prints up to 172 pages per minute. The development of a new MiCR ink has enabled the system to be MiCR compatible with industry leading MiCR signal levels.

The low operating cost, reliability, and ease of use of the Merlin K146M Press makes it perfect for MiCR operations. Ideal for MiCR applications 300,000 to 2 million sheets per month with a top duty cycle of over 3 million pages per month. The Merlin K146M offers high production volumes yet has a low enough capital cost to be viable for reprint applications or use as a back-up printer. The operating cost of the Merlin K146M is typically much less than a toner-based device and yet has higher uptime. Most customers of the original Merlin K146c enjoyed operating costs as much as 75% less than laser printers.

There are three main markets the Merlin K146M ideally fits. The check and business forms manufacturers, transactional service bureaus and in-plants. David Loos, CEO of MCS, commented: “MCS has a long history in MiCR printing and has been partnering with Kyocera for fifteen years on inkjet products. For seven of those years, MCS has offered MiCR solutions for its Eagle Products.” Loos continued, “With very few reliable MiCR page printers on the market, it made sense to invest further with our MiCR technology and offer a MiCR version of the great Merlin 146 product family. This is a welcomed progression for our customers”.

After months of ink development R&D and testing, sample prints were first exhibited at Printing United 2023, and now the product is available for purchase.

The low operating cost, reliability, and ease of maintenance of the Merlin 146 products make them attractive options for transactional printer/mailers, in-plant check producers, and traditional check printers.

MCS is offering Full-Service maintenance programs as well as hybrid service plans to tailor support based on individual customers’ needs.