6 Check Printing Tips for Small Business Owners

We all make mistakes, right?

It happens to the best of us. So, if you’re anything like me, you probably get a little embarrassed when your check doesn’t print correctly. Well, don’t be embarrassed! We have compiled a list of the top 6 printing and design mistakes small business owners make regarding checks. Make sure to share these tips with your staff to avoid these errors.

Know your audience

Before you print anything, it’s essential to know who your target market is. Are you trying to appeal to a younger crowd? Or are you aiming for a more mature demographic? Your choice of colors, images, and fonts should all be based on who you’re trying to reach.

Design of your check.

Does the print on your checks match your business name? What if you have multiple logos or prints? Is that important? If it is, then you might want to look into self-striping checks. These checks feature a basic but professional design that comes in different colors and can match any business.

You will also find that these checks are easily recognized as to what information is important to you, as they are printed in an organized manner. Ordering online is great because you can type in exactly what you need and get it immediately.

Understand which type of account you are designing checks for.

For example, a business owner may use a personal account at her bank to deposit receipts and a business checking account to write checks. If this is the case, the design should be general enough for your personal account.

In addition, check whether the check is used for day-to-day operations or large transactions: For example, if your business was a car dealership and needed a check for an $85,000 vehicle being sold, the check design should be appropriate for that type of transaction.

Check Your Paper is Correct.

This is the next common mistake that small business owners make, resulting in checks not printing correctly. Before you do anything else, make sure the paper you’re using is compatible with your printer. Printing checks on plain or photo paper can cause problems like smudges, ink bleed, and color shifts.

Look for quality check printing ink.

Look for inks specifically designed for checks, formulated to optimize the print quality on check stock and prevent smudges and ink-bleed around the edges of your checks.

Check-printing companies such as Carousel Checks and check paper manufacturers offer a wide range of inks for checks, both for printing on paper and when printing checks on preprinted forms. The most common check stock is made from cotton fibers and can be purchased in standard sizes, such as 3″x7″. Make sure the paper is designed to be printed using an offset printing press. Many companies manufacture this type of paper for use in the office.

Finally, examine your check stock.

 It may be tempting to accumulate every cute novelty check design you can get your hands on, but a business should limit its supply of checks to 4-6 designs that include a signature panel. Don’t forget to cut down used checks from your previous year’s check reorder. They may not be drawn again for a decade or more. Any checks no longer needed should be put in a secure location and disposed of properly.