When it comes time to order business checks, to simply say you have options is a gross understatement. What might seem like a simple task, ordering business checks, can easily turn into a confusing ordeal when faced with the myriad of styles and formats that all fall under the category of “business checks.”

Coming across various check styles (laser, payroll, voucher, 3-per-page, manual, draft, etc.) it might make you question exactly what type of business checks you really need. You thought you knew what you were searching for, but now you have pause for thought. Let us describe a few of the more common styles of business checks and hopefully it will help simplify your check buying experience.

* 3-Per-Page Checks: 3-per-page checks are immediately identifiable (and aptly named) due to there being 3 checks on one sheet of paper. They probably serve as the most common type of business checks. But, there are different types of 3-per-page checks. For example, some might be checks you write by hand while others are supposed to be printed on your inkjet or laser printer. 3-per-page checks also may have further options, including Payroll and Voucher, mentioned below

* Voucher Checks: Voucher checks come in two different varieties. The first is a type of 3-per-page style that has a printed table right on the check for making notes, usually related to paying an invoice. You can put the dollar amount and date on these vouchers, and sometimes discount calculations as well. The other kind of voucher check is like the 3-per-page design, except there is only one check on the paper. The other two panels are blank except for usually your business name and the dollar amount of the check.

* Laser Checks: Laser checks are pretty self-explanatory: they are checks meant to be printed through a laser printer. They can be of the 3-per-page check format or the single check voucher style described above. It is worth mentioning that some type of accounting software is needed to print laser checks.

* Payroll Checks: Payroll checks are used, not surprisingly, to pay employees. Payroll checks come with a detachable stub. The stub has lines to put your typical payroll deductions: F.I.C.A., Medicare, State Income Tax, etc. As you might expect, there are different types of payroll checks, these typically being in either a salary or hourly format.

Many businesses need checks that are compatible with whatever accounting software they are using. The most popular software programs are QuickBooks, Quicken and Microsoft Money. Any business check printers worth their salt will have business checks in stock for all of these 3 programs. Many check printers will also have numerous other software programs from which to choose.

The bottom line is this: if are looking to order “business checks,” make sure you know what format you need. Also, know what type of accounting software (if any) you are using. Having these things in mind beforehand will help make your business check buying experience quick and easy.

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When your checkbook is low on checks, reordering new ones sounds easy. But when ordering business checks, there are a whole lot more options to consider. The article below from BuyerZone.com offers some helpful tips to consider when purchasing business checks.

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Checks Buyer’s Guide

Introduction

When businesses run low on checks, most turn to their bank for a refill. The assumption seems to be that since the banks are holding the money, they are also the ones to issue the checks.

However, there is no real reason to purchase checks from your bank. Independent check printers can print checks that are just as valid and accepted as the ones you obtain from your bank.

Since banks are not really in the check printing business, they tend to be a fairly expensive and slow source for checks. Most firms will be able to save money by turning to an independent check printer for their needs.

This guide is designed to give you the facts you need before purchasing checks for your business. The various sections are listed in the box above. You can choose to read this guide from beginning to end, or jump directly to a section of interest.

Check Printers

Check printing is not a particularly difficult process. Any company can print checks as long as they have magnetic ink for check processing, and the ability to number checks consecutively for accounting purposes.

Although many firms get their checks from the bank, there are almost no banks that print these checks themselves. Instead, banks turn to companies that specialize in check printing. In addition to serving banks, these check printers also sell directly to check users.

Types of Checks

Companies generally have the choice of buying either traditional or computer-generated checks.

Traditional checks are designed to be completed by hand or with a typewriter. They are typically arranged three-up on a page, with a stub for reference. An alternate design, called one-write checks, adds a carbon strip on the back of each check to record relevant information on a ledger. With one-write checks, users can issue checks without having to record the recipient and the amount elsewhere.

Computer-generated checks are designed to be used with a computer-based accounting program and a printer. Single sheet designs are intended for laser printers, while dot matrix printers generally use continuous form designs. For businesses that need multiple receipts, dot matrix printers can also print onto carbonless multi-part checks.

Check Fraud

The easiest way to prevent fraud is to include color copy protection on the checks. This process incorporates additional lines into the check’s background image in what is called a pantograph. When a check is copied, the resulting image will produce a “void” mark.

Purchasing Checks

Checks are available from three primary sources: direct sales catalogs, local forms distributors, and banking or accounting service providers.

Direct check vendors primarily sell through catalogs. By eliminating the middleman, these vendors tend to provide the best value for companies buying only a few thousand checks at a time. Direct vendors can handle simple customization such as logos but usually do not offer custom designs.

Local distributors are typically used for higher volume purchases or situations where a special design is required. Distributors do not print the checks themselves but will work with one or more printers to complete the job. This method saves you the time of having to find a suitable printer, but it usually results in somewhat higher prices than a direct vendor.

Banks and software vendors sell checks only to supplement their other services. They have very little incentive to provide competitive pricing, since checks are not their main line of business. As a result, prices from these vendors tend to be quite high.

Pricing

Businesses can expect to save anywhere from 20% to 70% off bank prices when buying checks from catalogs or local distributors. You can expect to pay $70 to $100 for 1,000 checks. Companies buying 5,000 checks at a time will pay about $250 for impact checks, and $300 for laser checks.

Impact checks are designed to work with most daisywheel and dot matrix printers. Each check usually consists of multiple parts and comes attached for continuous printing.

Laser checks are designed for use with a laser printer. They are typically arranged with one or three checks per sheet. The three-on-a-page design costs less per check, but can be difficult to use if you usually print just a few checks at a time.

Special Tips

Buy enough checks to last nine months to a year
Small firms may want to order a slightly larger supply, since prices are significantly higher for quantities of less than 1,000 checks.

Make sure computer checks and software are compatible
You can usually specify what program you use, or send a voided check to the firm to find a close match. It is not necessary to use the checks from the software company.

Verify your routing code
Usually, all you need to do to get checks made is to send in a voided current check. It makes good sense to take the few minutes of calling your bank and confirming your routing code. Routing codes often change as a result of a merger. In these cases, the routing code will eventually no longer be valid and you will then need to buy a new set of checks.