Checks 101: Quick Tips on Printing Checks

To watch a short tutorial (approximately 1 minute) on printing checks, click Watch Tutorial.

Here are the steps to print a check:

1. In the File menu, select Print Forms and then click Checks. The Select Checks to Print window will open.
2. Select the bank account from which the check should be drawn.
3. Select the checks you want to print. All the checks ready for printing will be selected by default. You can de-select the checks you don't want to print yet, or use the Select All or Select None buttons to expedite the process.
4. In the First Check Number box, enter the check number of the check you want to print. This is the number that is pre-printed on your physical, paper check. Click OK. The Print Checks window will appear.
5. Verify your printer name and type. This is especially important if you have multiple printers set up.
6. Make sure the Check Style selected (Standard, Voucher, or Wallet) reflects the type of check you are printing on. Note: for Office and Away checks, choose the "Standard" style check to print.
7. Click the Print button (see Tip below)

TIP: Before you print, you may want to walk through the following checklist:

• Do you know what order your printer will print the checks? Some printers print last page first (e.g. page 3, then page 2, then page 1) while others print first page first (page 1, then page 2, then page 3). Make sure you know what order your printer will print checks so that your check numbers match the numbers in your check register.
• Do your checks print face up or face down? Avoid wasted checks by knowing which side of the page will be printed.
• Do you have enough toner to print your checks? Since most banks use imaging equipment, make sure that the text prints evenly and is not too faded so that it will be imaged correctly.
• Have you loaded checks in the printer? Don't forget to load your checks into the printer before you print.

See the tips in Question 9 to learn how you can do a quick test to see which order your printer prints.

There are 4 types of checks you can print from QuickBooks.

Here are the steps to print a check:

1. Voucher Checks: The check is at the top of the page, with 2 tear-off stubs at the bottom for record-keeping. These are popular for payroll, because one stub can be given to the employee to see details on earnings and deductions, while the second stub can be saved for record-keeping. Voucher checks are available for laser/inkjet and dot matrix/continuous printers.
2. Standard Checks: There are three checks on the page. This makes it faster to print multiple checks at one time. This check is popular for paying bills to vendors who don't need to see payment details. You may also prefer Standard checks if you want to keep less paper-based records in your office - all your information is electronically stored in QuickBooks. Standard checks are available for laser/inkjet and dot matrix/continuous printers.
3. Office and Away Checks: These are very similar to Standard Checks. There are three checks on each page so you can print multiple checks faster. In addition, each sheet is hole-punched so that the check will fit in an Office and Away check binder. The binder provides a professional-looking carrying case if you need to write checks by hand while you're away from the office. (Note, you can still hand-write Voucher and Standard checks, but they are not designed to fit in a binder.)
4. Wallet Checks: These checks are designed mainly for personal use and are popular with Quicken users. Wallet checks are smaller than the other three checks described above. Each page has three checks, plus a small stub on the left for printing payment details.

TIP: When you are ready to print your checks, make sure you have selected the correct Check Style. If you are printing an Office and Away Check, select the "Standard" check style. If you recently upgraded QuickBooks, make sure the default Check Style matches the check that you are using.

Note: to display this Print Checks window, go to the File menu and select Print Forms then choose Print Checks (for multiple checks). Enter the check number or select from the list of checks, and click OK.

No - here are three things to look for when you buy computer checks.

Here are the steps to print a check:

1. Make sure you buy checks that are GUARANTEED to work with QuickBooks. This will ensure that your check information will align properly when you print your checks.
2. Review the security features on the check. Avoid check fraud by selecting checks that have chemically reactive paper - this helps to prevent "check washing" because stains or spots appear when someone uses chemicals to alter the check. Also look for the Padlock icon - this is a certification mark of the Check Payment Systems Association. Finally, checks are more secure if they include an Original Document Security Screen on the back, and have a microprint signature line that is too small to photocopy clearly. Intuit does not believe that customers should have to pay additional charges for fraud protection. You may want to ask your check vendor what their policy is.
3. Check the paper quality and personalization options. Your check reflects your professional image, and you can also use it to make a personal statement. Make sure your check is printed with high quality paper and colors. Often you can request a sample to review. You may also want to consider personalizing your checks by adding a logo, or by choosing a unique font and check background style.

For a partial page of TWO checks, follow these steps:

1. Open the Print Checks window.
2. In the Check Style section of the Settings tab, select either Standard or Wallet style based on the checks you are printing.
3. In the Checks on 1st Page section, type 2 for the number of checks remaining.
4. Load the partial page of 2 checks into the paper tray or manual page feeder (not the envelope feeder) of the printer. If you are loading into the paper tray, make sure the top edge of the check is pushed forward so that the printer is able to grab the page. Click Print.

For a partial page with ONE check remaining, follow these steps:

1. Open the Print Checks window.
2. In the Check Style section of the Settings tab, select either Standard or Wallet style based on the type of check you are using.
3. In the Checks on 1st Page section, type 1 for the number of checks remaining.
   
4. Click the Partial Page tab of the Print Checks window.
   
5. Select the style that corresponds to your printer's envelope feeder.
   Choose "Center" if your envelope feeder is in the center of your printer and has two adjustable guides. Choose "Left" if:
   • Your envelope feeder feeds from the LEFT and you load paper FACE UP
   • Your envelope feeder feeds from the RIGHT and you load paper FACE DOWN
   • Note: often RIGHT and LEFT envelope feeders have one adjustable guide. By moving the guide to adjust it to an envelope size, you can tell if your printer is designed to feed from the left or right side.
   • Your envelope feeder feeds from the BACK and you load paper FACE UP or FACE DOWN.
6. Load the check into your envelope feeder either FACE UP or FACE DOWN (most printers will have a small picture on the feeder to indicate this) the same way you would feed an envelope (the check will be sideways). Be sure to load the check so that the "Pay To" short edge of the check will be grabbed by the printer. You can also review the diagrams on the Partial Page table for guidance.
7. Click Print. A Do The Checks Have a Tear-off Strip? Window will appear.
8. Click YES or NO to indicate whether you have torn off the small strip at the bottom of your sheet of checks. The strip will be on the lower edge of the third/bottom check if you are using three to a page Standard or Wallet checks. The strip is designed to make it easier for printers to feed the check. We recommend that you do not tear off the strip since it may make it difficult for your printer to align the text properly on the check.
   TIP: Before printing partial check pages you may want to do a test run. You can order sample checks from your check vendor, or just cut a sheet of blank paper into one or two pieces based on your check size.
   TIP: You may choose to use a Forms Leader for easier printing and improved alignment of partial page checks. Forms Leaders are reusable and temporarily attach like a sticky note to the one or two checks remaining on the page, making the check(s) a full page size so you can print as you normally print full page checks. To use a Forms Leader, you should select PORTRAIT style in the Partial Page tab and load the Forms Leader and attached check(s) into your paper tray or manual page feeder. Do not place it in your envelope feeder since the text will not be printed with the correct orientation. Make sure you have indicated 1 or 2 in the Checks on 1st Page section of the Settings tab. If you have a dot matrix printer, Forms Leaders can serve as the "pull-through" to get your printing started right on the first check, as the print head is often unable to print on the first check because the tractor feed is above it. Forms Leaders are available from Intuit and most major check vendors.
   TIP: Don't forget that you can still hand write your computer checks - if you don't want to bother with printing the last check on the page, you can save it for writing checks when you're away from your office.

See the directions in question 4 for printing a partial page of checks. As described above, select LEFT in the Partial Page tab if your envelope feeder feeds from the right and you load paper FACE DOWN. If you elect to use a Forms Leader, select Portrait in the Partial Page tab and feed the forms leader and attached check through the paper tray or manual feeder. Make sure you enter 1 in the Checks on 1st Page section of the Print Checks > Settings window.

If you recently upgraded QuickBooks, make sure the default setting of your Check Style matches the check you are using. If you're using a voucher check, the bottom two stubs may not be printing because the check style has defaulted to "Standard."



Note: to display this Print Checks window, go to the File menu and select Print Forms then choose Print Checks. Enter the check number or select from the list of checks, and click OK.