Why Check Writing Software?

If you’ve ever forgot to order new checks before the current ones run out, you know what a hassle it can be to wait for the new ones to arrive. Don’t bother ordering a new supply, use check writing software instead. If you need a check in a hurry, print one in minutes.

Check writing software is great if you want to have complete control over the design of your checks. Customize your checks by adding a personal or business logo and background image. Change the font style and color as well.

Check writing software can also save you a lot of money depending on your needs; if you make a lot of weekly or monthly payments or have a small business, printing your own checks can take the hassle out of ordering and then waiting for your checks to arrive.

What to Look for in Check Writing Software

Designing your own checks is entertaining but keep in mind there are certain requirements before financial institutions will consider your checks legal.

Below are the criteria that TopTenREVIEWS used to rate check writing software.

• Check Design Features – Good check writing software should include several check design templates with options to customize the templates by changing font styles and colors and adding logos and graphics. Print Preview is extremely useful during the design process. Financial institutions require checks to include a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line, so software that includes a MICR font will save you money on check stock with pre–printed MICR lines. In addition, the MICR line must be printed with magnetic toner or your checks will be rejected.
• Home Bookkeeping Features – Some check writing programs offer helpful bookkeeping features such as a check register, creating multiple bank accounts, search/find specific checks, payee accounts and expense/income reports for tax time. The bookkeeping features are useful extras but they shouldn’t out–number the check design features.
• Small Business Bookkeeping Features – A few programs include small business bookkeeping features in addition to home bookkeeping and check design. These features include creating and printing employee accounts, customer and job site accounts, supplier accounts, inventory lists, invoices and estimates, records of sales, sales receipts, payroll records and tax reports. Some check writing programs focus too much on small business features. As a result, check design is limited.
• Installation/Setup – You can order check writing programs through the mail for manual installation or through a direct download from the company’s website. A direct download is the easiest form of installation/setup. Regardless of the type of installation, it should be simple and not cause computer errors.
• Help/Support – A good check writing program should provide a user manual/guide, a help menu within the program (embedded help) and a FAQs list from their website. Some programs are simple enough to learn on your own; however, some users may prefer a basic user’s guide as a reference. The software company should also provide telephone and email contact information.