How to Print Your Own Checks
William A. Gordon
One of the biggest hidden costs of having a checking account comes from ordering checks. Simply put, these free checking accounts offered by all of the major banks today have to make their money somehow. By doing the check printing yourself, you can save those costs and get ahead financially.
Before you begin the task of check printing, there are vital parts that should be considered. Contrary to what you may initially think, it is never quite as simple as merely having them come out on a piece of paper. Definitely purchase a check printing program. There are many quality programs available that are inexpensive. Furthermore, we have listed some guidelines to help you get started.
What is Required?
If you are going to print your own checks, you will need hardware as well as software to have access to a truly professional result. You can conveniently use your printer at home. You will need magnetic ink, however this may be challenging since this ink can be hard to find. Don't get discouraged; it will take some looking.
In addition to that ink, you will need special paper, so that your checks can't be easily changed. You can purchase check stock paper from a number of online and offline retail outlets. This blank check stock can be purchased by the hundreds of sheets, so they will last for years if you don't write a lot of checks. This paper will resemble the checks that you might receive at your bank. The most important thing about these checks is that they come with full security features, so that people will have a difficult time trying to change around the information held there.
Those among us who enjoy employing money management programs also have the option of purchasing checks for Quicken and other programs. This kind of check stock is made in particular for those programs; therefore, you can automatically print checks for particular expenses that are partial to your bookkeeping program.
Importance of Magnetic Ink In Check Printing
Magnetic ink is imperative for numerous reasons. Most importantly, after you write a check, it will subsequently be run through a reader and non-optical readers can only read checks printed in magnetic ink. If you don't print with magnetic ink the bank will have to manually process the check. This can lead to delays and additional fees, defeating the purpose of saving money.
What do you know about MICR fonts?
Have you ever wondered why the routing and account numbers on your checks are printed in that odd type? The reason is because they are printed in what is known as an MICR format. Numbers written in MICR or another font known as E-13B are usually the only way banks will take these checks. You will want to ascertain that your printer is laser quality; as such a printer is ordinarily required in order to print these fonts. Such fonts will also be much easier to print out upon laser stock paper, as well.
In addition, it will be less complicated to print these fonts on laser stock paper. If you tend to write a large number of checks, then you can save money by check printing from home. The benefits of check printing outweigh the initial cost of extra equipment. All these security measures must be taken seriously. Without doing so, you could fall victim of theft since the checks could be so easily manipulated.
Well versed in personal finance, William Gordon writes about (
http://www.personalcheckspro.com/artistic-checks/) check stock and other business banking topics including (
http://www.personalcheckspro.com/check-stock/blank-check-stock/) blank check stock.
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