To help you get started, we explored the top companies for ordering checks, breaking down their best features, pricing details, and more. Here are the best places to buy checks online. The starting pricing on Checks in the Mail is $25.25 for a box of 100 single personal checks. Plus, for some designs, you can order 25 checks starting at just $7.25. For people who rarely use paper checks, but want to keep a small book on hand, this is a great option. There is also an array of offerings for those who need business checks, including high-security designs. If you’re looking for something more whimsical, animal-oriented, or career-themed, Carousel Checks has a vast selection, starting as low as $19.99 per box. As with other companies, if you buy in bulk, you’ll get a better deal. While you can find lower prices elsewhere, the company’s wide selection, commitment to security, and free delivery are big bonuses. And, if you’re an Executive Member, you’ll save an additional 20% on your order. Even more, Costco’s High Security Business Checks have 25 security features—which is more than what other companies offer. Each check includes visible and invisible fluorescent fibers, heat-sensitive ink, holograms, and watermarks. Gold Star/Business Members can get 500 high-security laser draft checks for $127.97. Costco also has a personal check option with counterfeit-proof security features, including a hologram foil bar and a heat reactive ink circle. Prices start at $29.03 for 200 single checks for Gold Star/Business Members. Better yet, you can design your own check style by uploading a photo or logo starting at just $16.46 or choose the Paper People option for a customized design of your family from $19.46. Price-wise, Bradford Exchange advertises up to 70% off bank check prices. Starting prices are $19.95 for 120 single checks. In addition, personal checks are inexpensive with a vast selection of designs available, and one order will likely last for years. CheckAdvantage features original designs from its own artists and photographers, so you won’t see the same selections that most other sites have. The downside is you won’t find licensed Disney, Star Wars, or professional sports team checks here. Prices are also very reasonable, starting at around $14.65 for 100 single personal checks.
What to Look for in Places to Order Checks Online
Variety
The best vendors offer checks with a variety of styles and designs, security features, and options for personal and business customers. It’s important to find one that fits your needs, whether you want checks with licensed designs of your favorite characters, pop culture icons, or sports teams.
Affordability
Saving money is really the key benefit of ordering checks online versus just going directly through your bank. Whether you write a few checks per month or are a business owner who needs hundreds of checks, make sure to compare prices between major online sellers. Also, consider the minimum number of checks in an order; if you rarely use checks, you wouldn’t want to order them in bulk that could outlast how long you keep that bank account open.
Shipping Times
Even though people are used to ordering items online and getting them delivered quickly, with checks, expect it to take a few weeks for them to arrive. Be sure to carefully review the delivery time estimates when you order checks online (some sites have better turnaround times than others). Ideally, you want to give yourself plenty of time when you order, but if you’re running low, pay close attention to shipping schedules.
What do you need to order checks online?
When ordering checks online, grab one of your existing checks since you’ll need some key information: your bank, account number, and routing number. The routing and account numbers run along the bottom of a check. If you don’t have a check to refer to, you can go online to your bank account or call your bank to get what you need. Along with your account information, you’ll need to share what information you want to appear on the checks including your name, business name (if applicable), and contact information (optional).
What are secure or high-security checks?
All checks have some built-in security, starting with the magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) font that’s used for the account and routing numbers. This computerized font allows checks to be read by machines, but it’s also what prevents people—and counterfeiters—from printing checks on their own. In addition, some checks have other enhanced security features. This may include visible and invisible fluorescent fibers, chemically sensitive paper, heat-sensitive (or thermochromic) ink, holograms, and watermarks.
What’s the difference between single and duplicate checks?
Though most people will choose single checks for personal use, duplicate checks are also available for those who want a copy of their checks. Duplicate checks have a thin carbon copy sheet behind each check, so you’ll always have a copy for your records. These are more expensive than single checks and aren’t as popular now that many people rely on digital recordkeeping. But it’s still worth considering for small businesses that may prefer paper records.
