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Step-by-step guide

How to print checks at home

You can print real checks at home with a regular inkjet or laser printer, a pack of blank check stock and check-writing software that prints the MICR bank line. Setup takes about ten minutes; after that, each check takes about a minute.

Write your first check free

What you need

  • A printer. Any inkjet or laser printer that takes letter-size paper works. A laser printer gives the crispest bank line.
  • Blank check stock. Letter-size (8.5 × 11 in) sheets with the check on the top, middle or bottom, or three checks per page. Good stock has security features such as microprinting and a "void" pantograph. See our blank check stock guide.
  • Your bank details. Your 9-digit routing number, your account number and the next check number you want to use. You find them on an existing check or in your bank's app.
  • Check software. Something that lays out the check correctly and prints the MICR line in the E-13B font. Quick Check Writer runs in your browser on a phone or computer, with nothing to install.
  • Optional: MICR toner. Magnetic toner for the bank line. Many banks accept regular black ink today, but magnetic toner is the safe choice. Read do you need MICR ink?

Step 1: Add your company and bank once

Enter the name and address that should print in the top-left corner, then your bank name, routing number and account number. Quick Check Writer asks for the account number twice so a typo can't sneak onto your checks, and it saves everything only on your device. You can also add a logo and set the starting check number.

Step 2: Print an alignment test on plain paper

Every printer feeds paper slightly differently. Before you use real check stock, print the test page on plain paper, hold it over a sheet of check stock against a window or lamp and see whether the boxes line up. If they don't, nudge the X (left/right) and Y (up/down) offsets and try again. In the print dialog, use Letter paper, 100% scale (never "Fit to page") and turn headers and footers off.

Step 3: Fill in the check

Type the payee, the amount and a memo. The amount in words fills itself in, so the written and numeric amounts always match. Add your signature by drawing it with your finger, uploading a photo or picking a handwriting style, or leave the line blank and sign with a pen. If you are new to checks, our guide on how to write a check explains each field.

Write your first check free

No download and no credit card. Add your bank once, fill in the check, print or share it as a PDF.

Write your first check free

Step 4: Print, or share it as a PDF

Choose where the check sits on the sheet (top, middle, bottom or three per page), load the check stock and print. On a phone, use Share → Print. If the payee is far away, you can skip the printer and email the check as a PDF instead. Every printed check is saved to your check register, which you can export as a CSV file.

Tips that keep banks happy

  • Print one test check and ask your bank. Acceptance is up to the bank, especially if you use regular ink instead of magnetic toner.
  • Keep the bank line clean. Don't write, sign or stamp over the MICR numbers at the bottom.
  • Use real check stock for checks you hand out. Plain paper works technically, but security paper protects you and looks right to tellers.
  • Track your numbers. Never reuse a check number. If a check misprints, mark it void in your register and shred it. Here's how to void a check.
  • Store blank stock securely. Blank stock has no bank details printed on it, but treat printed checks like cash.

Is it legal to print your own checks?

Yes. In the US, you can print checks for an account that belongs to you, and businesses have done it for decades. What matters is that the routing and account numbers are correct and the account is yours. We cover the details in is it legal to print your own checks.

How much does printing checks at home cost?

A box of bank-ordered checks often costs $20 to $40 or more. Printing at home costs the check stock (roughly a few cents a sheet) plus the software. Quick Check Writer's first check is free with no card needed; after that, plans start at $1.99 a month for unlimited checks. See pricing.

Printing checks for a business?

The same steps apply, with a few extras: voucher stubs, a logo, and separate check numbering for each company or bank account. Read how to print business checks and, if you pay employees by check, how to print payroll checks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I print my own checks at home?

Yes. With a regular printer, blank check stock and software that prints the MICR line, you can print checks for your own bank account at home. Print one test check and confirm with your bank first.

Can I print checks on regular paper?

Technically yes, and some banks will process them, but blank check stock is strongly recommended. It is the right weight for bank scanners and has security features that make checks harder to alter.

Do I need a special printer to print checks?

No. Any inkjet or laser printer that handles letter-size paper works. Magnetic (MICR) toner for the bank line is recommended, and some banks require it.

Can I print a check from my bank at home?

Banks don't usually offer printable checks, but you can print your own checks for your bank account with check-writing software, using your routing and account numbers.

How do I line up the check on the paper?

Print an alignment test page on plain paper, hold it over your check stock against the light, and adjust the X and Y offsets until the boxes match. Always print at 100% scale.

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Last updated October 27, 2026.