How to Print Checks From Your Computer

To print checks from your computer, open the print dialog and set the paper size to US Letter, the scale to 100% or Actual size, margins to default or none, and headers and footers off, then choose the correct tray and print a plain-paper test. Nearly every misaligned check traces back to scaling, paper size or a PDF viewer that shrinks the page to fit.

This guide focuses on your Windows or Mac computer, the print dialog, browsers and PDFs. For the printer's own settings and paper feeding, see how to print checks using a regular printer. For choosing a method in the first place, see how to print a check from your computer.

Why does the print dialog matter so much for checks?

A check is a precision document. The routing number, date and amount must sit inside small boxes on a fixed-size sheet. Print dialogs are designed for documents where a 3% shrink to fit goes unnoticed. For a check, 3% moves a field by most of a quarter inch, which is enough to land outside its box.

What settings should you use on Windows?

1. Press Ctrl+P in the application or browser to open the print dialog.
2. Choose the correct printer from the list, not a PDF printer or a fax device.
3. Click Printer Properties, Preferences or More settings, depending on the application.
4. Set Paper size to Letter (8.5 x 11 in). If it says A4, change it.
5. Set Scale to 100% or Default. Avoid Fit to page, Fit to printable area and Shrink to fit.
6. Set Margins to Default or None to match your check layout.
7. Turn off Headers and footers so no date or web address prints on the page.
8. Select the paper source (tray) you will load, such as Manual feed or Rear tray.
9. Select the paper type, such as Plain or Heavy, matching your stock.
10. Print one copy on plain paper, check it against the stock, then print on real stock.

Dialog wording differs by printer and by application. If an option has a slightly different name, look for the one that means no scaling.

What settings should you use on a Mac?

1. Press Command+P to open the print dialog. If you see only a few options, click Show Details.
2. Choose your printer from the Printer menu.
3. Set Paper Size to US Letter.
4. Set Scale to 100%. In the Paper Handling section, make sure Scale to fit paper size is unchecked.
5. In Safari, uncheck Print headers and footers. In Chrome or Edge, uncheck Headers and footers under More settings.
6. Open the pop-up menu below Orientation and choose Paper Type/Quality or Printer Features to set the paper type and tray.
7. Print a test on plain paper before using check stock.

What browser settings matter?

Web-based check tools print through the browser's print dialog, so its settings count. In Chrome and Edge, open More settings and set Margins to Default or None, Scale to Default or 100%, and turn off Headers and footers. Leave Background graphics on if your check design uses a pattern or logo. In Firefox, use the equivalent Scale and Margins controls in the print preview.

• Use the same browser each time. A different browser can apply different default margins.
• Browser zoom does not affect printing in most cases, but keep it at 100% to avoid confusion when previewing.
• If the browser offers a Print using system dialog option, use it when the built-in dialog lacks a setting you need.
• Close pop-up blockers that stop the print preview from opening.

What PDF mistakes should you avoid?

Many tools hand you a PDF to print, and PDF viewers have their own scaling. In Adobe Acrobat or Reader, the Print dialog defaults to Fit or Shrink oversized pages. For checks, choose Actual size under Page Sizing & Handling, and uncheck Choose paper source by PDF page size and Auto-rotate and center unless you have a reason to use them.

• Fit or Shrink. Changes the page size and moves every field.
• Auto-rotate and center. Can shift the page when the printer's printable area differs.
• Print as image. Can soften text and make the MICR line less crisp.
• Preview in a browser PDF viewer. The embedded viewer may default to Fit. Check its scale option.

How do you test a print before using real stock?

1. Print on plain letter paper with the exact settings.
2. Lay the printout on a check or a sheet of your stock and hold both against a window or lamp.
3. Compare every field. Look at the top, left, right and bottom gaps, not just one.
4. Measure the offset with a ruler in fractions of an inch.
5. Correct it in your software, not by changing printer scaling.
6. Print again on plain paper. When it lines up, print on real stock.

Troubleshooting: when the print looks wrong

If the vertical position is the issue, read why your check is printing too high or too low. For blank pages, see the check prints blank troubleshooting guide.

Is a Windows or Mac computer better for printing checks?

Either works. What matters is the print dialog, the printer driver and consistency. Windows users should read check printing software for Windows for software and browser choices. A Chromebook or Linux machine also works with a web-based tool and a printer that supports its printing system.

Check Writer 123 runs in a browser on Windows, Mac, Chromebook and Linux, so these print dialog settings are the ones you use with it. It has a live preview, a free Test Print with a TEST PRINT watermark that never counts toward your plan, and an alignment tool that saves per bank account.

Putting it together

Choose Letter, Actual size, correct margins, no headers and the right tray, then print on plain paper before real stock. Write down the settings that worked so you can reuse them. For persistent drift after the basics are right, move on to how to fix check printing alignment.