Handwriting vs printing

Why print checks instead of handwriting them

Printing a check means typing the payee, amount, date and memo, reviewing a preview and printing a neat, readable check. Compared with handwriting, it is easier to read, easier to correct before it is on paper, and quick to repeat for the same payees. Handwriting is still fine for the occasional check.

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Free plan: 5 checks a month. Works on Windows, Mac and Chromebook.

What goes wrong when every check is handwritten

Messy handwriting causes confusion

A payee, an amount or a memo that is hard to read can lead to questions, delays or the wrong amount being deposited. Printed text is clear to the person who receives it and to the bank.

One mistake wastes a whole check

A wrong amount or a smudged line often means starting over on a new check, and a voided check still needs recording. Fixing the details on the screen first avoids that waste.

Writing the same details again and again

If you pay the same contractor, supplier or landlord every month, you rewrite the same name and address each time. That repetitive work is easy to skip once the details are saved.

Checks look different every time

When several people write checks, no two look alike. A consistent layout looks more professional to suppliers and makes your payments easier to recognize.

How printing a check compares with writing one

Here is what changes in the five steps of a typical check, and where printing helps most.

1
Entering the payee
Handwriting means writing the name by hand every time. Printing lets you pick a saved vendor or employee, or type a new name once and keep it.
2
Entering the amount
You type the number once. The amount in words is written for you, which removes the step where most handwritten mistakes happen.
3
Checking your work
A live preview shows the finished check before anything is printed. You correct a typo on the screen instead of on paper.
4
Printing, alone or in a batch
Print one check, or enter up to 25 in a table and print up to 50 together on a payment day.
5
Signing and recording
Sign with a pen, or let the app print your saved signature. The check is already recorded in your register with its number, payee, amount and date.

What printing gives you that a pen does not

Readable, consistent checks

Every check uses the same clean layout, with your name, address and optional logo, and you can pick a font style.

Corrections before the check exists

Change the amount, date or payee in the form, and the preview updates. Nothing is wasted until you press Print.

Saved payees

Vendors and employees are saved for next time, so repeat payments are quick.

A record of every check

The register is searchable and can be downloaded as a CSV file, and every printed check is numbered for you.

Print on demand

Prepare checks at home or in the office whenever it suits you, including outside banking hours, as long as you have compatible check stock or plain paper.

An example: a bookkeeping assistant with neat checks

An office assistant used to write about fifteen checks a month by hand and says her handwriting is hard to read. The figures here are an illustration, not a customer story.

She now types each check, checks the preview and prints them in one sitting. Fifteen checks a month fits the Occasional plan at $5.99. The checks are easier for suppliers to read, and when she makes a typing mistake she fixes it on screen instead of voiding a paper check.

An illustration with made-up figures, not a real customer.

12 reasons to print checks instead of handwriting them

Not every reason applies to every person. Most people find three or four matter a lot.

Save time by typing details instead of writing them.
Improve readability for payees and banks.
Look more professional with suppliers and contractors.
Avoid messy handwriting.
Reduce writing errors, since the amount in words is generated.
Avoid rewriting checks by fixing details before you print.
Print multiple checks in one session.
Standardize how every check looks.
Reduce repetitive manual work.
Print a check when a payment is due.
Prepare checks outside banking hours.
Avoid extra trips to the bank, if you already have compatible check stock.

When handwriting is still the better choice

If you write a couple of checks a year, handwriting is simple, free and needs no printer or software. Printing also needs the right paper: blank check stock, pre-printed stock or plain paper, plus ink or toner.

Printing does not make a check safer by itself. Review each check, protect your account numbers and keep your blank check stock locked up. Our fraud safety guide covers the basics.

What to print on: blank stock, pre-printed stock or plain paper

Blank check stock gets the whole check printed, including the MICR line. Pre-printed stock from your bank takes the payee, amount and date only. Plain paper works well when you deposit the check yourself, and our plain paper tips show how to get a sharp result.

What it costs

One flat monthly price. Every paid plan has all check templates, batch printing and the check register. Logo, signature and cloud backup come with Mid Tier and Unlimited. You also pay for your own paper and ink.

Occasional Pack

$5.99

per month

20 checks a month

1 bank account

Mid Tier

$10.99

per month

60 checks a month

4 bank accounts

Unlimited

$25.99

per month

Unlimited checks

Unlimited bank accounts

A check counts when you press Print. Reprints and Test Prints are free. 30-day money-back guarantee on your first payment; see the refund policy.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to print checks or handwrite them?

It depends on how many you write. For a handful of repeat payments each month, printing is faster, neater and easier to correct. For one or two checks a year, handwriting is simpler and needs no equipment.

Are printed checks accepted?

A printed check carries the same information as a handwritten one: payee, amount, date, signature, and your routing and account numbers. You sign it yourself, and you should still confirm with your own bank if you have questions about how it handles checks.

Do I have to buy special paper?

You can print on blank check stock, on pre-printed stock from your bank or on plain paper. Plain paper costs the least and works well for deposits you make yourself. Blank stock gives you perforated, check-style paper.

Can I fix a mistake before it prints?

Yes. The live preview updates as you type, so you change the amount, date or payee before pressing Print. Only printed checks count against your monthly limit, and Test Prints are free.

Can I print several checks at once?

Yes. You can enter up to 25 checks in one table and print up to 50 together, which is handy when you pay several vendors on the same day.

How much does it cost?

The Free plan prints 5 checks a month with 1 bank account and needs no card. Paid plans are $5.99 a month for 20 checks, $10.99 for 60 and $25.99 for unlimited, with no per-check fee. You also buy paper and ink.

Guides for people who handwrite checks and want something easier

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Stop handwriting every check

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