Image skew occurs when a document is scanned at an angle rather than straight, resulting in a tilted digital image.
In check scanners, this typically happens when a check is not inserted straight (in single-feed scanners) or because a stack of documents is not squared before insertion (in multi-feed scanners). Many of the issues associated with skew will cause a check image to fail industry standards for clearing and settlement.The most common problem with a skewed image is that information at the edges of the documents are cut off outside the scan boundary, rendering the image unusable. It can also reduce accuracy of optical character recognition (OCR), although modern OCR software has gotten better at addressing this issue.One additional problem specific to check scanners is that the misalignment can result in a distortion or inability of the magnetic MICR line to be read, which relies on straight-line 1D magnetic signal strength. A skewed document can also make part of the MICR line miss the magnetic reader entirely, since the magnetic head is positioned to read an approximately half-inch strip at the bottom of the check.
Some users find it beneficial to straighten large stacks of paper documents with a mechanical check jogger before scanning, which can help prevent image skew. Manufacturers also employ various hardware- and software-based anti-skew measures. Learn more about what Digital Check does to address image skew here.
