Many companies utilize custom designed checks, as they give off a professional, classy appearance. However, you would be surprised to know that many savvy companies do not pay full price for attractive custom checks. If you want to find out how to add the benefits of custom printed business checks to your company without the cost, there are several options. Saving money on business checks custom design is easy once you know where to look.

Before you order custom checks, know what all of your options are. Plenty of Internet sites offer good deals on custom checks. Consider the following ways to obtain custom checks within your budget:

1. Purchase custom design checks from inexpensive online retailers that meet your budget.
2. Design your own business checks with the help of websites to cut expenses.
3. Buy business checks custom design in bulk to save money.
   

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Buy designer business checks from discount companies online

If you want custom checks for a low price, find online retailers that advertise lower than average prices. Pay attention to special sales and free shipping, which can save you a lot of money.

I recommend: OnlyChecks.com promotes that the website offer checks at half the price of banks and other companies. Checks In The Mail offers discount prices and free shipping on custom business checks.

Design business checks with the help of online services

If custom check designs are important to you, consider designing your own with some help from the professionals. Many Internet sites offer ideas and templates for you to customize and add your own personal touch. Whether you design your checks from online templates or simply add your logo and company color scheme to professionally designed samples, this option will provide you with unique business check designs for less.

I recommend: VistaPrint allows users to add their own logo or monogram to business checks for a low price. Sterling Business Services helps users design their own custom checks for lower than average prices.

Order customized checks in large quantities to save money

If you do not plan to change your check design or business logo any time soon, consider purchasing your custom checks in large quantities. Not only will this save you the time it takes to buy new checks frequently, but it will also save you money. Just find a company that offers bulk discounts for custom business checks in order to get quality custom checks for less.

I recommend: At 4checks.com, the second box of checks costs substantially less than the first box, so purchase several at a time. Check Crafters also offers huge savings for bulk orders of custom business checks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want to design your own custom checks, consider using a software program that offers step-by-step instructions and tutorials. Software programs may cost more initially, but will save your business money in the long run.

In addition to financial management and security features, there is another specialty feature to look for when choosing providers of business checks: custom design services.

Like other printed materials, your business checks can be used as a marketing tool. Custom business checks that display your logo, company colors, and other images reflect your business' values or services. Your company image will be displayed and reinforced to employees and vendors that receive your checks.

Your bank may offer checks with some customizable features, but third party vendors generally offer more services and choices. With the wide range of available vendors, choosing the right one can be a challenge. Here are some things to look for when choosing custom designed checks:

1. Integration with your accounting software;

2. Custom business checks options, including images, custom colors and font varieties;

3. Value designer business checks with custom features at low prices.

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Find custom checks that work with your printer

Most check printing companies offer checks that can be printed on a laser or impact printer. The check design is pre-printed on laser or continuous feed paper and check details are printed on the check via your accounting software. This process simplifies accounting and record keeping and saves time.

I recommend: Sterling offers a "find your software" feature that allows you to filter your selection to checks that work with your specific software. Logo, watermark, proofs, window envelopes and rush production are all included with your first order, and they assist with the check design. Deluxe also offers a find your software feature. You can add a logo and choose from many backgrounds. Intuit offers checks in a variety of colors and fonts that are guaranteed to work with it's software programs and you can add a logo and custom ink color for a one-time fee.

Design business checks that include a photograph

Displaying a photograph on your check is a great way to show off your business. A photo of your building or products adds a distinctive look to your checks.

I recommend: With photo checks from Check Crafters, you can upload your photo and manipulate it online. Checks are printed on industry standard paper. Order printed checks or checks on letter-sized paper that can be used with a laser printer. Checks Your Way allows you to customize your checks with a background photo and also offers the option of a security photo that can be added to the top corner.

Choose low-cost designer business checks

A cheaper alternative to a custom design is a check with a pre-designed background image that reflects your business.

I recommend: VistaPrint offers low prices, a large selection of background designs and the ability to add your logo. Check Crafters features the exclusive "professions" design series. Choose a background that embodies your profession and add coordinated labels, business cards and other printed items.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you decide to print customized checks on your printer, you'll need to test the printer to find out how the checks feed. When you order custom printed business checks, the check numbers may need to be reversed if the printer loads from the front.

Designer business checks replace traditional and potentially boring checks with exciting and unconventional customized checks. When a business decides to order custom checks, they accomplish much more than just having a supply of checks on hand with which to pay bills. Working with a company that is able to design business checks opens up a world of new applications and uses beyond simply getting the bills of a business paid.

If you choose to design your own business checks and order customized checks from a printing company, there are a number of fun and useful business checks, custom design applications and uses which can be considered. For example, businesses with customized checks can enjoy their ability to:

1. Promote the business through custom design checks, advertising the company.

2. Improve accounting practices and security with custom business checks.

3. Utilize space for optional messaging on business checks and custom design options to display the business motto or slogan.

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Advertise your business with custom design checks

Marketing and advertising is very important to businesses. Companies should constantly be on the lookout for inexpensive ways to promote their business. One simple option for business checks is custom design applications and uses to advertise the company with every check that is written. Some checks can be boring - custom printed business checks and custom check designs offer all observers a new design to view. At the very least, business check designs that are customized stand out from traditional and plain business checks.

I recommend: From paying your employees on payroll to paying your bills and vendors, customized checks enable you to market your business in a new way. ConsumerCreditMonitoring.com discusses how business checks can work wonders for a company in terms of advertisements and marketing, while CheckCrafters.com discusses how easy it is to advertise one's business just by writing out a check.

Use designer business checks to improve productivity and organization in the accounting department

The personalization of custom business checks does not just offer flair and style to paying bills. Many printers and publishers of custom business checks will offer extra boxes or tables on the checks you order. These areas may be utilized for accounting purposes. They can also be used to write up the payment due and deductibles of such checks.

I recommend: Sethson.com discusses the ways in which additional boxes and tables on custom checks can be used to assist accounting departments in staying organized and on track. For security advancements on custom business checks, such as watermarking and micro printing, visit BusinessChecksInfo.com.

Endorse your company further with optional message fields on custom business checks

Custom checks may also be utilized in order to encourage or support a specific motto or slogan. If there is a saying of which you want customers, clients and vendors to be aware, it is advised to use the message fields on custom designed checks. Such a feature on business check design options can hammer home to others a particular point or axiom.

I recommend: ATouchofBusiness.com discusses how adding your business' slogan to a business check can add sophistication and style to the paperwork. EZineArticles.com discusses the professionalism that comes from including such details as the company's motto or slogan on their business checks.

Business checks with specially designed custom features can create a marketing tool put in the hands of many. A custom logo or message on a check is a great way to gain company exposure.

There are also other important custom features to include on a business check. Custom security designs that include text over or erasure protection allow a business to limit check fraud. Learn a few basic custom check terms to find out what will work for your company.

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Cut or monogram area

The cut, or monogram area, is a section of the check designated for customizing with a monogram letter or other art. Not all check designs allow for this customization.

I recommend: The definition and diagram of cut or monogram area is available at 4Checks.com.

Text over

A text over is a line used to print a customized message on a check. Many companies offer business checks with text over customization options

I recommend: Read the definition of a text over line on Checks Unlimited. The website offers a complete guide to the anatomy of a check.

Embossment

Embossment is a printing of raised ink on the check. A customized embossed check can make a company logo stand out to all who see it.

I recommend: Check Advantage defines the embossing process and many other business check terms in its glossary of check terms.

Erasure protection

Erasure protection is a specialized treatment to the paper the check is printed on. If an eraser is used on the check, a stain appears on the check to make it noticeably evident that someone tampered with the check. The erasure protection is a customizable security option for business and personal checks.

I recommend: Read about erasure protection at the Bradford Exchange Checks website.

Photo check

A photo check is a great customizable option for sales agents and other self-operated businesses. Realtors, salesman and other can have their photos printed right on their business checks to receive even more personal exposure.

I recommend: The photo check is explained at Checks in The Mail which also provides an illustration of how this features appears on the check.

Continuous feed

Customizable checks are available in many styles including wallet, duplicate and desk checks, but they are also available in a continuous feed check system for business payroll and more. Continuous feed checks are printed on computer paper allowing for batches of checks to be printed at one time.

I recommend: Check Crafters defines the continuous feed check and explains the options when it comes to customizing the business continuous feed checks.