To print your own checks you need five things: check paper (blank check stock, pre-printed stock or plain letter paper), a laser or inkjet printer, ink or toner, envelopes that suit your checks, and a locked place to store stock. MICR toner is the traditional choice for the bank line, and a paper cutter helps if you print on plain paper.
This checklist covers each item in the order you will need it, explains what banks care about, and points to the detailed guides when you want more depth.
What is the complete check printing supplies checklist?
| Item | What to get | Where it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Check paper | Blank check stock, pre-printed stock or plain letter paper | Sets how the check looks and how it is used |
| Printer | A laser or inkjet printer that feeds letter paper cleanly | Alignment and print quality |
| Ink or toner | MICR toner for laser, standard cartridges otherwise | The bank line and ink permanence |
| Envelopes | Envelopes sized for check stock, or standard business envelopes | Mailing the check |
| Cutter | A paper trimmer or scissors, plain paper only | Straight, clean edges |
| Storage | A lockable drawer or cabinet and a shredder | Fraud prevention |
Which check paper should you buy?
Start by deciding how the checks will be used, then pick the matching paper. The three main choices are different tools, not better or worse versions of each other.
- Blank check stock is the recommended choice for checks you give to payees. It is usually letter-size paper with three sections: one check and two stubs. The software prints the whole check, including the bank line. Read what blank check stock is and types of blank check paper before you order.
- Pre-printed check stock has your bank details already on it, and the software prints only the variable fields: date, payee, amount, amount in words, memo and signature. See pre-printed check stock explained.
- Plain letter paper carries one complete check you cut out. It is best for deposits you make yourself or by mobile deposit, and a bank decides whether to accept any check.
If you are not sure which paper suits you, what kind of paper you need to print checks walks through the choice. Buy a small pack first to test with your printer before you order a large quantity.
MICR toner or regular toner: what do banks care about?
The line of numbers along the bottom of a check is the MICR line. It holds the routing number, the account number and the check number in a special E-13B font. Traditionally it is printed with magnetic ink, and laser printers use MICR toner cartridges to do it.
Ordinary inkjet ink is not magnetic. Many banks now read checks mostly as images, and some accept checks without magnetic ink, but acceptance is up to your bank and the payee's bank. Magnetic ink is the safest choice for high volume. If you print only a few checks, ask your bank what it will take before you buy special toner.
- Laser with MICR toner: the traditional match for business use. Toner fuses to the paper and resists smearing.
- Laser with regular toner: clean and crisp, but not magnetic.
- Inkjet: works well for low volume. Give the ink time to dry fully before you stack or fold the pages.
For a full explanation, read what MICR is and why it is used on checks.
What kind of printer do you need?
Most home and office inkjet and laser printers can print checks. What matters is that the printer feeds letter-size paper straight and consistently, because a printer that feeds a little differently each time gives you a different alignment each time.
| Printer type | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Laser | Higher volume, sharp text, MICR toner use | Heat can curl stock; allow pages to cool before stacking |
| Inkjet | Occasional use, home offices | Wet ink can smear until dry |
| All-in-one | Small offices that need a scanner as well | Check the paper path can take letter sheets without jams |
Receipt printers and label printers are made for different paper and are not suited to sheets of check stock. If you are choosing a new printer, what printer is best for printing checks explains what to compare.
Which envelopes work for checks?
Pick envelopes that are tinted or lined on the inside, so the check inside cannot be read from outside. Many people also like window envelopes, which show the payee address printed on a stub or letter and save you from addressing twice. Envelopes made for check stock are sized so everything lines up behind the window.
If you use plain-paper checks, a standard business envelope is fine once the check is cut to size. For sizes and folding, see check-stock compatible envelopes. Before you mail a payment, confirm the payee's address on a recent invoice, and seal the flap well.
Do you need a paper cutter?
Only if you print on plain letter paper. A plain-paper check prints at the top of the page with a dashed cut guide. A paper trimmer gives you a straight edge in seconds; sharp scissors and a steady hand also work. Blank check stock comes with perforations, so tear along them and you are done.
How should you store blank check stock?
Treat blank check stock like cash, because anyone who can print on it can create a check. Keep it in a locked drawer or cabinet, count it when you put it away and count it again when you take it out. Keep a short log of how many sheets are on hand.
- Store stock flat, away from heat and damp, so it does not curl or stick.
- Limit who has the key and who can print.
- Shred spoiled or misprinted checks instead of throwing them in the bin.
- Never leave stock loaded in a shared printer overnight.
- Keep your bank details behind a strong, unique password.
What else is worth keeping on hand?
- Plain paper for test prints.
- A spare ink or toner cartridge, so you are never stuck mid-run.
- A ruler to check alignment.
- A pen for signing, if you sign by hand, with ink that resists fading.
- A folder or box for voided and spoiled checks.
Check Writer 123 is made by the publisher of this site and prints on blank check stock, pre-printed stock or plain paper. A free Test Print on plain paper lets you check alignment before you spend any stock, and alignment nudges are saved per bank account. Every plan includes every feature, and the 14-day free trial needs no card.
Putting it together
Buy in this order: paper, printer settings, ink or toner, envelopes, then storage. Run a test on plain paper with each new batch of stock, and keep a small supply of everything so a missed delivery does not stop a payment. To compare your options as a whole, read check printing software, and for the home setup from start to finish, how to print checks at home.