The Complete Guide to Print Your Own Cheques Online
Ever ended up in a situation where you need to make some urgent payments with no cheques left? It can often happen, and ordering new cheques can take quite a while. Banks take around 1 to 2 weeks to print and mail cheques to you. If you want them immediately, your bank can probably get it arranged if you are ready to pay for expedited shipping. While all of this sounds hectic, there is always an option for you to print your own cheques at lesser costs and with added personalisation. But, before deciding on that, let us have a look at the prerequisites.
Advantages of Printing Your Own Cheques
If you know how to print your own cheques, you can avail several benefits like:
1. Never Running Out of Cheques
Running out of cheques can become worrisome if you have to make urgent payments. Not making payments on time can tarnish your brand image and cause several troubles. Hence, it is advisable to have a cheque printing set-up in place that enables on-demand printing. You can never run out of cheques if you have the printing supplies and know-how to print your own cheques for free.
2. Saving Printing Costs
Banks offer cheque-books at a fee. Furthermore, if you need some cheques urgently, you have to purchase counter cheques that are even more costly. The cost per cheque reduces significantly when you print them on your own. You can even opt for online cheque printing solutions like PostGrid that can help save on administration, electricity, and inventory costs.
3. Branding Your Cheques
Brand your cheques by adding your logo and several other customisations. This way, you can present your brand in front of an audience impactfully. Adding customisations to your cheques makes them complete transactions along with advertising your brand.
4. Print at Anytime
If you are wondering, “Can I print my own cheques?” The answer is yes. Plus, you can do it with far more efficiency and flexibility. You can print any number of cheques at any time and from anywhere. There is no need to hear from your bank or visit the branch to get counter cheques.
Requirements to Print Your Own Cheques
Cheque Writing Software
Can you print your own cheques without using cheque writing software? If you have the necessary graphic designing skills, you can. Otherwise, you can use software to print valid cheques that look the same as printed by your bank. Cheque writing software enables you to draft all your cheques accurately. It can help you insert all the required cheque fields at the right spots.
Cheque Paper
Though you can print using any type of paper, it is recommended to use cheque paper stock. Other types of paper stock may make your cheques look fake, and your bank may not process those cheques. Furthermore, even your vendors might refuse to accept these cheques. Cheque paper stock is difficult to be tampered with due to its various security features and adds validity to your cheques.
Printer
Your printer should be compatible with the cheque writing software you are using. Make sure to cross-check these things before deciding to print your own cheques at home or office. You can use an inkjet printer, but it is better to use a laser printer as it facilitates high-quality printing.
MICR Font
The MICR line at the bottom of the cheque is supposed to be printed using the MICR font. It helps cheque scanners decode the cheque information and store it digitally.
Magnetic Ink
You also require magnetic ink to print your cheques. Magnetic ink helps prevent bleeding. However, nowadays, most scanners read cheques using optical means rather than magnetic. So, you can use any ink.
Steps to Print Your Own Cheques
1. Download and Install a Cheque Writing Software
If you are planning to use a word processor to draft your cheques, you should know about some things. Firstly, you can use this method only when you have pre-printed cheques. For designing cheques from scratch, you should download and install a cheque writing software that supports your bank’s cheque design.
2. Purchase Cheque Paper
As discussed earlier, you need cheque paper stock for printing cheques. Make sure to purchase it before starting the printing process.
3. Download the MICR Font
Download the MICR font on your device and use it for writing all the elements of the MICR line. Your device should be compatible with this font.
4. Add Your Bank’s Details
On the top-left corner, you need to add your bank’s logo along with the branch name and address. This part must remain constant for every cheque.
5. Insert the Payee Field
Leave a little space after your bank information and insert the payee field. Write the word “Pay” at the beginning. Whenever you fill in a payee name, make sure to draw a horizontal line to fill in the rest of the field.
6. Insert the Amount Field
This field should be inserted below the payee field and consists of the cheque amount in words. It is filled in to avoid any confusion, in case the numbers in the amount box are not clear.
7. Add the Date Line
The dateline should be added towards the right side. You can either include the date of the day when you are writing the cheque or you can choose to post-date it.
8. Add the Amount Box
It is a rectangular box below the dateline where you need to mention the amount in numbers. For example, £58.77.
9. Add the Memo Line
Though it is optional, it is recommended so that you can fill in the reason for issuing the cheque. It helps in record-keeping.
10. Add the MICR Line
Next up is the MICR line, which consists of the cheque number, branch sort code, and your account number (from left to right). Verify these details before printing. The branch sort code is also supposed to be printed on the top-right corner of the cheque, above the dateline.
11. Add the Signature
Above the MICR line and towards the right side, you can add your account name. The signature is supposed to be added below the account name.
12. Review and Print
After checking all the fields and the filled information, you can print your cheques. If you want pre-printed cheques, you can only add the fields and leave the remaining spaces blank.
Different Approaches to Print Your Own Cheques
Manual Approach
The manual approach requires you to draft and print your cheques all on your own. Though you can use cheque writing software, your employees still need to add the payee details from time to time, stock inventory, and carry out the printing process.
Semi-Manual Approach
The semi-manual approach would be to outsource printing to a vendor. This way, you can get rid of purchasing inventory and printing the cheques. You can even reduce some administrative costs by outsourcing printing.
Automation Approach
You can automate the entire process of drafting and printing cheques. PostGrid’s online cheque printing solutions can help you draft your cheques speedily and accurately and also takes off the printing workload. Moreover, it also offers cheque mailing. This automation approach can help you draft, print, and mail cheques altogether in one go.
Other things that our cheque print and mail API can perform are:
- Integrating with your CRM or accounting software for importing data
- Adding customisations
- Ensuring added security
- Tracking payments
- Generating timely reports
Use of Counter Cheques in Case of Emergency
Counter cheques can be availed from your bank by paying a certain fee. It is a good option for availing cheques for making urgent payments. You would be needed to show an ID, so don’t forget to carry an ID along. Though they seem to be convenient during emergencies, there are certain disadvantages associated with counter cheques. The fee is quite high, and many vendors do not accept these cheques as they look temporary. Therefore, it is always advisable to print your own cheques rather than visiting the branch and availing counter cheques for a fee.
You can now write, print, and mail your cheques easily at any time without having to visit the bank or wait for weeks. PostGrid’s print and mail API can get it all done on your behalf.
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The post See What You Need Before You Print Your Own Cheques appeared first on PostGrid UK.
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