How to Order New Checks: Business and Personal Accounts

Check writing requires replenishing both your bank account and checkbook. So how can you order fresh checks in the safest, quickest, and most cost-effective manner?

Your Options for Ordering Checks

Whether you need personal checks or checks for your business, you have the following three choices:

1. Order a new set of checks online or from a catalog.
2. ​Contact your bank and order check refills from them.
3. Print your own checks.

Let’s look at each of the options and evaluate the pros and cons.

Order Checks From an Online Check Printer

Inexpensive selection: For the most cost-effective costs and the most selection of design possibilities, choose an online check printing service. In addition to an endless number of styles and colours, you can frequently personalise your checks with a favourite sports theme or interests. There are other effective, easy checks that are accessible; they are reasonably priced.

Photo checks: If the appearance of your checks bothers you, you can upload pictures to be printed on the check's face. Use pictures that you took yourself or for which you have the legal right to use them. All you actually need for a check to work is a piece of paper with the account information on it; being creative with the rest of the check is OK.

Is it safe to order online? For the most part, yes. One risk of online check printers is that you provide checking account information to somebody you don't know. Most printers are trustworthy and they keep your data secure, but you need to work only with legitimate check printers. Stick with the big names to reduce the chances of fraud. Carousel Checks, Checks Unlimited, and Deluxe are among the most popular and reputable printers. That said, anybody can get hacked, including big banks and major retailers.

Tips for ordering: It’s your responsibility to provide accurate bank information when you order checks. Verify the account information with your bank, and provide a voided check (with information that already works) if that’s an option.

Order Checks Online from third parties is a time-consuming and expensive check printing process. Why order checks online when you can print them on your office desk? Print checks instantly online on-demand on blank stock papers using your office or home printer. Thanks to Check 21 Act which allows printing checks using any printer.

Print Your Own Checks

You don’t have to order checks when you run out—you can just print more yourself. That approach offers for control and speed, and you can have new checks today if you want. But you need to meet bank requirements when you print checks yourself. Mistakes can lead to delays and additional fees from banks that handle your checks.

If you print a high volume of checks for your business, it may be best to order blank checks (or even checks that have your account information pre-printed on them) as opposed to printing the entire check from scratch. Business checks often have plenty of space for a description of the payment or transaction.

Use Fewer Checks

Set up electronic payments with your creditors, service providers, and vendors, and you probably won’t run out of checks for a very long time. Use online bill pay to make your life even easier—it's free with most checking accounts. As an added bonus, you'll have an electronic record of every payment (including the payee name, in many cases) in your bank transaction list. As a result, you won’t need to manually track payments from your check register.

What about writing checks when you shop? You can spend the same money if you use a debit card, and you might even speed through the self-checkout line when you pay with plastic. For even more safety, use a credit card instead of a debit card (but pay the card off every month).

Other Types of Checks

Counter checks: You might need to write a check immediately after you open your account (or while you're waiting for an order of checks to come in). In those cases, ask your bank if it's possible to get a few counter checks printed. These checks are not always accepted by financial institutions, but they can help you in a pinch.

Cashier's checks: For large, important transactions, sellers often demand a "guaranteed" form of payment. Wire transfers and cashier's checks are often used for a down payment on a home or the purchase of a vehicle. Those checks can cost $10 or more, but they are essential in some cases. Cashier's checks are available online at some banks, or you can purchase them at a branch.