1. A method of reproducing a check suitable for automatic processing by a banking system comprising: receiving at a computer a graphic image, the graphic image representing a check that has been optically scanned so as to create the graphic image, the graphic image including a first area having an image of MICR codes and a second area that includes an image of a signature; the first area and second area comprising nonoverlapping portions of the graphic image; using optical character recognition to identify the MICR codes and to convert the first area of the graphic image into a sequence of the identified MICR codes; and printing a reproduced check by: printing said sequence of identified MICR codes using ink, using stored MICR fonts, in a clear band area; and printing the second area of the graphic image above the clear band area, the printed second area of the graphic image including a facsimile representation of the signature; wherein the reproduced check is a negotiable instrument suitable for automatic processing by the banking system.