You can order checks through your bank, through your bank’s website or app, or from a third-party check printer online. Third-party printers are almost always cheaper than ordering directly from your bank, and the checks work exactly the same way. The whole process takes about five minutes once you have your account information handy.
What You’ll Need Before Ordering
No matter where you order, you’ll need to provide the same basic information that gets printed on every check:
- Bank routing number: the nine-digit number that identifies your bank (found at the bottom left of any existing check or in your bank’s online portal)
- Account number: your personal checking account number
- Starting check number: you can pick any number you want, though most people continue from the last check they wrote
- Your bank’s name
- Your name and address
If you’ve never had checks before, your routing and account numbers are available in your bank’s mobile app or online banking dashboard. You can also find them on your bank statements or by calling customer service.
Ordering Through Your Bank
Most banks let you order checks through their website, mobile app, or by calling customer service. Some banks give you a free starter set of checks when you open an account, and certain premium accounts include free or discounted reorders. For standard accounts, though, bank-ordered checks tend to cost more than what you’d pay from a third-party printer.
The convenience factor is the main draw. Your bank already has your account details on file, so you’re mostly just choosing a design and quantity. If you want the simplest possible experience and don’t mind paying a bit extra, this is the easiest route.
Ordering From a Third-Party Printer
Third-party check printers are where most people find better prices. These companies print checks that are functionally identical to what your bank provides. They use the same magnetic ink technology at the bottom of the check (called MICR encoding) that allows banks to process them by machine. Here’s what you can expect to pay at some of the more popular options:
- Walmart Checks: starting around $12.75 for 120 checks
- Costco Checks: around $21 for 240 checks (printed through Harland Clarke, a major check manufacturer)
- Sam’s Club Checks: about $22 for 400 checks
- Checkworks: roughly $13 for 120 checks
- Vistaprint: 150 checks starting at $15
- Carousel Checks: starting around $20 for 100 duplicate checks
- Checks in the Mail: as low as $5.25 for a small pack of 25
Prices vary based on the design you choose, whether you want single or duplicate checks, and how many boxes you order. Shipping costs are usually extra. Ordering multiple boxes at once often brings the per-check price down significantly.
Single vs. Duplicate Checks
When you place your order, you’ll be asked to choose between single and duplicate checks. Single checks are straightforward: you write the check, tear it out, and that’s it. Duplicate checks have a thin carbon copy sheet behind each check that automatically creates a record of what you wrote. The duplicate stays in your checkbook as a paper trail of the payee, amount, and date. Duplicates cost a few dollars more per box but can be useful if you like having a physical record without relying on your bank statement.
How to Verify a Check Printer Is Legitimate
If you’re ordering from a company you haven’t used before, look for a small padlock icon printed on the check itself. That icon means the check and the printing company have been reviewed by the Check Payment Systems Association (CPSA), an industry group that certifies check printers. You can also search the CPSA’s website directly to confirm a company is authorized.
Legitimate checks include multiple security features that prevent counterfeiting. Watermarks embedded in the paper are visible only when held up to light at a 45-degree angle and can’t be replicated by a copier or scanner. Microprinting, which looks like a thin line to the naked eye but contains tiny readable words under magnification, appears along the signature line or border. Many checks also include a “void pantograph,” a background pattern that causes the word “VOID” to appear if someone tries to photocopy the check. These features are standard on checks from reputable printers, whether you order from your bank or a third party.
Choosing a Design and Custom Features
Most printers offer a range of designs, from plain single-color checks to scenic images, patterns, or branded themes. Some sites, like Checks.com, let you upload a custom image. Design choice is mostly personal preference, though fancier designs cost more. Plain checks are the cheapest option everywhere.
Beyond design, you may be able to customize the font, add a logo (useful for a small business), or add fraud protection services like identity theft monitoring through add-on programs. These extras are optional and add to the total cost.
How Many Checks to Order
A standard box contains 100 to 150 checks, depending on the printer. If you only write a few checks a year for rent or the occasional service provider, a single box could last you years. If you write checks regularly, ordering two or more boxes at once usually gets you a lower per-check price. Costco and Sam’s Club are particularly cost-effective for larger quantities, with Sam’s Club offering 400 checks for about $22.
Keep in mind that if you move or change banks, any leftover checks with old information become useless. Order based on realistic usage rather than stocking up for a decade.