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The internet has made it easy for individuals to find information and get what they need. In the case of payroll checks, these days there are several options available online because paper forms aren’t necessary anymore, but getting a check in the mail can be expensive. Here are five ways you can get your hands on an issued paystub without breaking the bank.
If your workers prefer checks to direct deposits, finding free methods to print payroll checks online is a wonderful choice; but, free services are often limited—some just allow one check per day. You just need a printer, some check material, and magnetic ink to get started, and you can generally print in minutes.
Choose one of the options below to see how you may start printing checks for free:
1. Make use of online check printing services
If you just need to print a few checks and don’t have payroll software, a free online check printing service may help. Print Check Online is a free service that allows you to produce checks instantaneously without having to download or install anything. You can only print one check each day, and you can only have one payer profile, bank account, and postal address on the account.
Step 1: Sign up for a free account and log in.
To begin, you must first create an account. Following “Home,” click “Create Free Account” in the upper center of the page. It will lead you to a screen where you must complete your account setup by entering a login ID, password, and email address. When creating a password, keep the guidelines in mind (no percent or space). Within 15 minutes of completing the form, you should get a confirmation email at the address you provided. To validate your email address, click the link in the email.
Step 2: Fill out the Check Details form.
You will be able to sign in when your email has been successfully validated. After you’ve logged into your account, go to the top of the website and select “Check Printing” (after “Home”). Then you’ll see all of the data you’ll need to fill out:
- Your whole name and mailing address
- Name and address of your bank
- Your postal address
- Check the number, the amount, and the date.
- Name of the payee
- Memo
- Account and Number of the routes
- Layout order: Defaults to Check number–>Number of the route–>Number of the account (with a free account)
Step 3: Set Printing Options and Load Printer
Your resolution settings for Print Check Online must be set to 96 DPI. To change on Windows 10, you must shut all of the apps that are presently open on your computer. (If you’re using a different operating system, such as Mac, visit your manual or Google for instructions on how to adjust the DPI and page setup.) Users using Windows 10 should take the following steps:
Right-click the desktop–>Click on “Properties”–> Click on “Advanced” –> Change DPI setting by selecting “Normal size (96 DPI)”–> Click on “Apply”–> Click “OK”
Adjust your page settings and perform the following once your DPI is where it needs to be:
Click “File”–>Click “Page Setup”–>Change the personal-size page size to “Letter”–>Change all margins to 0 (they automatically set to the minimum inches)–>Change all headers and footers to “Empty”–>Click “OK”
You may now load the printer with check stock once you’ve modified your settings. You should utilize Versacheck Form 1000 Prestige Checks, according to Print Check Online.
Step 4: Check out the sneak peek and Print
You may preview your check once you’ve entered your check information, adjusted the print parameters, and loaded your check stock. You’ll see your check with a watermark indicating it’s for preview only if you click “Preview Your Check” at the bottom of the page. When you’re ready to print the check, go to the bottom of the page and click “Click to Print Your Check,” and the identical check will print without the watermark. Then print to your preferred printer.
Check out the sneak peek
2. Use a Mobile App
If you don’t have access to a PC or laptop, using a mobile app to print is a viable choice. Check Writer: is an Android software that allows users to write and print checks at home. A US bank account, a phone, a printer, personal-sized blank check material, and magnetic ink are all you need. You may sign the check and deliver it to your staff to endorse and cash once it has been printed. A digital copy may also be kept on your smartphone or tablet.
You could be concerned about security since printing from the app necessitates providing information about your bank account. Your financial information will never be transferred to the cloud, saved on a server, or stored anywhere else, according to the app.
The steps to print a check via the mobile app Check Writer 3.0 are as follows:
Step 1: Get the app on your phone and install it.
Look for it and install it. You’ll be requested to accept or disagree with the privacy policy and terms of use once you install and start the app.
Step 2: Fill out the Check Information form.
Fill the check out by entering your name and address at the top, the Name of the payee beside “Pay to the order of,” the amount in numeric form and write out a memo, and your signature (which is just your name in print).
When you’re ready to add your Account and Number of the routes at the bottom, click in the area they should be entered, and a prompt to add a bank account will display. You’ll see the image of a check at the top of the page with arrows showing you where to find your routing and bank number of the accounts on checks issued to you by your bank. Scroll down, and enter the following:
- Your whole name
- Address
- Name of the financial institution
- Number of the route
- Number of the account
- Number of the first check
This electronic copy of the check will be filled up with the check data you submit.
- When you add a bank Number to the account, it will show at the bottom of the check.
- The check number and Number of the route will also show on the check.
After you’ve finished filling out all of the fields, click “Save Bank Account.” The app will show a warning asking you to double-check your data and that it is not liable for any mistakes. Click “OK,” and you’ll be sent back to the page where your check is shown.
You may now add the newly formed bank account to the system. When you click at the bottom section where your routing and accounting numbers appear, a popup with the accounts you entered will appear. The routing account and check numbers will immediately fill on the check when you choose the bank account from which you wish to pay.
Step 3: Look Over Your Check
In the top right corner, you’ll see four white dots aligned vertically. Click on them, and a drop-down will appear. Select the last option, “Print or Save PDF.” A box with information about print settings will appear. Be sure to read, because you may need to change your check alignment, border, or size when you’re finished reviewing the Check out the sneak peek.
Step 4: Set up the printer, adjust the settings, load the paper, and print
Now it’s time to choose a printer. Choose “All Printers” in the upper left corner (you’ll also notice the option to save as a PDF), and your device will start looking for printers. You can add a wireless printer from your phone’s settings; the specific methods may differ based on the phone model.
This warning will appear until your smartphone connects to a local printer.
Check to see whether your printer and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network. This will make it simple for your phone to locate the printer and connect to it. Check your handbook or Google if you can’t locate the option to add a printer in your phone’s settings.
Check stock should be added to your printer. Check Writer 3.0 can only print on personal-sized check material for the time being, but business-sized checks will be available in the future. For printing, the software suggests using Office Depot’s personal check stock.
Check Writer doesn’t have specific printer settings to follow, but if you find that fields are overlapping on the check when you print, go to “Settings”–>” Customize checks.” Then, try to decrease the font size or change its type. If you have alignment issues, go to “Settings”–>” Print Settings” and adjust until you find a fit.
Save the check as a PDF file if your printer doesn’t allow wireless printing. Print it from a PC or laptop after sending it to yourself using an online email account. It’s also worth noting that the program allows you to print blank checks and then handwrite them afterward. Follow the instructions above, but don’t fill in the check information.
3. Using Free Payroll Software
Payroll4Free is a free online payroll software that you may use if you have less than 25 Employees. It enables you to issue checks and conduct payroll, including payroll tax computations, various tax forms, vacation tracking, and more. If you utilize your bank to put it up, you may also provide workers the option of getting their paycheck by direct deposit.
Here are the procedures to printing payroll checks online using Payroll4Free, a free payroll software:
Step 1: Download and install the Payroll Application.
The first step is to go to the website and fill out the form with information about your firm, your name, and your email address. You’ll get two emails outlining the free service’s capabilities, possible add-ons, and how to begin the payroll process.
A link to download the app will be included in one of the emails you receive. You’ll be prompted to react to a few questions, such as granting your computer permission to execute the application, then just follow the on-screen installation instructions.
Once you log in to the app, you’ll enter information to finish setting up your company, payroll, employees, taxes, and accounting. The system will need information like your bank’s account and the number of the routes, pay frequency, i.e., biweekly, weekly, etc., and employee W-4 details. After you enter all of the required information, you can submit and wait to be notified via email that your account setup is complete.
Step 2: Payroll Processing
You may start processing payroll after you get the email confirming your account setup. You’ll find the “Payroll” menu item on the left side of the screen. It will provide a dashboard with processing, reporting, and maintenance information.
You must first create a new batch and input your workers’ hours or salaries before you can begin printing payroll checks. You must also input and confirm the check date, payroll period, and payment options (checks and/or direct deposits). Based on the information supplied during setup and the hours you submit, the system will automatically compute deductions, employer taxes, earnings, and salaries due.
Work hours and payroll information for Employees should be put here.
You may examine your pre-posting reports before printing the paychecks after you’ve input all of your workers’ information. This can assist guarantee that your checks are correct on the front end, eliminating the need to void and reprint afterwards.
All of the information regarding your current payroll is included in pre-posting reports. Earnings, taxes, general ledger accounts, and other information will be shown. The earnings report will be the first formal report to be displayed. You’ll see a thorough tax report, a summary tax report, journal entries, and a check register once you’ve reviewed the earnings report. Toggle between them by clicking the left or right ticker (arrow) at the top of the page, next to your business name.
The final report you’ll view is the check register. Because you haven’t printed the checks yet, there won’t be a check number. A blue bar appears when you move your cursor over the personnel records. This indicates that you have the ability to dig down. Double-click the check you’d want to preview by hovering your cursor over it.
Review your payroll report before the funds are deposited into your account.
This is the check that will be printed.
Click the white X in the top right corner to quit the drill-down. You will be returned to the check register by the system. Click “Post” (with a green checkmark in front) on the top right-hand side after you’ve seen and approved the relevant reports. The payroll will be updated and you will be sent to the check printing page after using the post option.
Select the Print button in the top center of the page to print the pre-posting report.
Step 3: Prepare the printer by loading it.
At the top of the page, you’ll find a reminder to put payroll check stock into the printer. Verify that the printer specified is the one where your checks should be printed once you’ve loaded them. If this is not the case, open the drop-down box and pick the appropriate printer. Also, double-check that the checks stated below are for the money you anticipate receiving.
Step 4: Print Payroll Checks
When you’re ready, go to the right and select “Print All” (third from the top). The system will print your checks and ask you to confirm that they were printed appropriately. If you wish to view the posting reports, a popup will appear. If you choose “Yes,” you’ll receive results that resemble the pre-posting reports but include check numbers. The file may be saved as a pdf, CSV, or txt file. Click the white X in the top right corner to depart.
The system will direct you to a list of batches that have been uploaded. If the lettering on your batch is black, it signifies checks were printed. If it’s in red, you’ve modified the information but haven’t yet printed the checks. There is a void check in the batch if it is tinted in gray. Click the “Close” button on the far right side of the PR Explorer to exit it (the last button in the list).
A list of payment batches that have been uploaded.
If you ever need to reprint checks, go to Reports and choose “Other Reports” from the drop-down menu. Select “Payroll Check Register Report” from the drop-down menu. Choose a date range, such as 06/07/2021 to 06/21/2021, and then click “Generate.” After that, the system will present a check register report to you (similar to the one that displays when you print an original batch).
By hovering over the transaction you want to examine, double-clicking, and the check will appear, repeat the procedure as mentioned above. Because the check has already been posted, you may click “Print” to have it reprinted.
To access check copies, go to the payroll check register report.
4. Using an Online Payroll Provider’s Free Trial
You can discover dozens of payroll providers that will give you a brief free trial so you can print payroll checks quickly, but you’ll need to join up and pay after your trial period is up. Some may ask you to provide payment details, such as a debit card, before initiating your trial, while others will let you use the system right away.
Step 1: Sign up for a free trial and get started.
You’ll start by entering information about yourself and your firm, such as your name, address, and staff count. You’ll create a password and indicate whether or not you’ve processed payroll this year. After that, you’ll establish an account.
To get started, you’ll need to provide some information when you sign in. Remember that you must process payroll before printing checks when using payroll software. You’ll need to fill in the following details:
- Integrations with accounting software
- Addresses of business
- Employees
- Tax information from the federal government
- Taxes paid by the state
- Information about your bank account
- Timetable for payment
- Payrolls from the past, if appropriate
- Tax debts that have not been paid
You must specify this in the employee setup option if you want to pay your staff via payroll checks. On the left side of the dashboard, click “People” to input information about each of your workers. This is where you’ll say that check is your chosen payment method.
Step 2: Process Payroll
Gusto features a time-tracking system that enables you to monitor and approve the work hours of your workers. They will obtain their own login when you have entered them into the system, and they will be able to input their hours each period. Salaried workers will get steady pay each month. Gusto will compute gross pay and deductions when you approve time for all workers. Before printing your payroll checks, double-check that everything seems to be in order.
Step 3: Choose Printing Options and Load Printer
On the Write Checks page, after running payroll, select “Print Checks.” You’ll have to choose a check type. On top paper, you may print customized checks, and on the bottom paper, you can print blank checks. To guarantee interoperability with the system, Gusto suggests certain customized and blank check stock.
If you want a customized top check, pick “Layout t10196” and change the check style tab from “by Software” to “by Layout” when selecting the check style.
Choose the blank bottom check option if you have blank check stock and need Gusto to enter your business and bank information.
Step 4: Load your check stock, preview your checks, and print them
Make sure your printer’s magnetic ink cartridge or toner is installed. After you’ve loaded your check stock, go to “Prepare Checks” to see the check details and earnings statement in PDF format. If you choose “Blank with Check on Bottom,” save the PDF since check numbers will change if you need to regenerate the batch for reprinting later. Deselect the Fit to Page or Scale to Page options to prevent printing difficulties.
Then it’s only a matter of printing, signing, and delivering the checks to your staff. You won’t have to manually prepare pay stubs since they’re included.
5. Using a free check printing service.
CheckRobot is a free check printing service that can be accessed from any location. It enables you to produce professional-looking printed checks on demand if you need them. All you’ll need is some blank check material and a home printer to get started. Whether your bank offers optical check scanning, which necessitates the use of a specific Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR), print a sample check beforehand and ask your bank if they will have any issues identifying it.
The steps to printing payroll checks using CheckRobot are as follows:
Step 1: Create a CheckRobot account for free.
The first step is to go to the website and fill out your information, including your name and email address. When you log in, you’ll be sent straight to CheckRobot’s dashboard.
Step 2: Fill up your bank account information
Click the “Add Bank Account” button in the upper left corner of the dashboard and provide your bank account details including your bank’s name, address, nickname, Number of the route, Number of the account, and Number of the first check. Then, click the “Create a New Account” button at the bottom of the page.
Step 3: Fill in the Payee Information
After creating your bank account, you can proceed in adding your Name of the payee, address, and bank account, and click the “Create New Payee” button. After creating a new payee, you will be directed to another page that will allow you to proceed and create a check. You can also add another payee, delete, or add another bank using the buttons at the upper left of the page.
Step 4: Make a check for the person you’re paying.
When you click the button to create a check, you will be directed once more to a page that will need the amount you will provide the payee. The date, check number, and memo (payee’s Number of the account} are automatically filled-out but you can still edit the information. Once you click “Create a Check,” you will then see a listing below the page of all the checks that you will issue. It also has a feature to convert it to PDF format or delete the check entry.
Step 5: Download the PDF, load your check stock, and print your checks.
Make sure your printer’s magnetic ink cartridge or toner is installed. After you’ve loaded your check stock, click “Get PDF” to see the check information in a PDF format. After you’ve double-checked your entries, save the PDF. Print your customized check after adjusting your printer settings.
Other Things to Think About When Printing Free Payroll Checks
Depending on whether you also need assistance processing payroll, you may use a check printing website or payroll software to print payroll checks for free. Because you must first run payroll using payroll software, your check printing procedure will be lengthier. If you don’t have access to a computer, mobile applications are an excellent option. To assist decrease the number of checks you need to print, it’s essential to have different options to pay your staff.
Get a printer and some magnetic ink.
You can use any printer to print as long as you also use magnetic ink or toner. If you don’t, your bank can opt not to process the payroll checks or charge you an additional fee. The bank’s check readers are designed to detect checks printed in magnetic ink. If you print in regular ink, it may not recognize your Account and Number of the routes, which means the bank teller will have to manually process.
Adjust the printer settings according to the instructions.
To guarantee that your check information is aligned correctly when printed, verify your printer settings according to the application’s instructions. Before printing the real check, certain software systems will enable you to print a test print. If such an option is accessible, we strongly advise you to use it. To print your checks, you’ll also need payroll check stock. If the service you’re using suggests a certain check stock, you should utilize it to avoid compatibility concerns.
Obtain the Correct Check Stock
Check printing mobile applications that aren’t payroll-specific will print checks as personal checks. This means you’ll need personal check stock, which doesn’t come with a paycheck stub detailing earnings, deductions, and taxes. You may be required to offer this information to workers based on your state’s pay stub requirements. You may either manually type the information into a free pay stub template or utilize software like Gusto.
Remember that the simplest approach to print free payroll checks online is to choose a check printing service that enables you to manually input check payments. If you use payroll software that can handle a batch of checks at once, you’ll have to go through the whole payroll cycle before printing.
Conclusion
Checks may be printed for free online, but the options are restricted. Most providers enable you to print a certain number of checks every day or for a set amount of time for free. Some enable you to print for free forever, but only for a certain number of workers, and you’ll have to make your own pay stub if you don’t use payroll software.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I print my own payroll checks?
A: If you do not have access to a printer, or are unsure of how to print your own check, there is still an option for checks. Many banks offer online bill pay through their website as well where you can just upload the transactions from your bank statement and sign them electronically.
How can I print checks for free?
A: You can use an online service, such as Mint.com to print checks from your computer and have them mailed to you free of charge.
How do I print checks on my printer?
A: You can print checks using your printer on any computer that has a compatible program installed.
