Many business owners choose duplicate checks for their businesses, because duplicate checks allow the business to keep a carbon copy record of the check in the checkbook. When comparing the cost of duplicate checks vs. single checks, however, duplicate checks pricing and costs will be higher. Duplicate business checks may cost from as little as $40 to $200 or more.

When ordering business checks, duplicate checks pricing and costs varies depending on style and size of the checks and the quantity of checks ordered. Stylish writing and special designs cost extra. Printers create custom design business checks, desk sets business checks, three-on-a-page business checks, and books of business checks.

1. Custom photo and logo business checks cost more than basic design business checks.

2. Three-on-a-page business checks and desk set checks fit inside a three-ring binder.

3. Pads of business checks are good for on-the-go business bill paying and purchasing.

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Check into costs of duplicate business checks with a custom advertising photo

Some printing businesses offer custom-designed checks. Companies can add a picture of their business building, product, or logo to the middle of their business checks for a touch of advertisement to the company's purchases. However, the cost of custom duplicate business checks is higher than standard business checks. Companies must decide if the possibility of extra advertisement is worth the additional cost when they order duplicate business checks.

I recommend: Check Crafters offers the option of photo checks for businesses. The company charges about $100 for 600 checks. The checks are three-on-a-page duplicates. You can add a custom photo and buy duplicate business checks from Checks Your Way. The checks cost around $132 for 300. These checks are also three on a page.

Go basic with standard three per page duplicate checks for business

Most business checks are larger than personal checks and come ready for a binder or desk set. These checks do not come single but three per page. They also have a register to the side to record purchases and balances. Buying a standard three-per-page design business check is cheaper than other options. Companies must factor in additional cost if they wish to purchase a binder.

I recommend: Check Depot sells three on a page business checks at a rate of about $85 per 500 for standard design duplicate checks. Check Advantage also sells three-on-a-page duplicate business checks, charging about $69 for 600 checks.

Look into costs of duplicate business check pads for on-the-go buying

Desk sets and three-per-page business checks are inconvenient for on-the-go company bill paying and shopping. Smaller one-per-page duplicate business check pads are easier to carry and use. Most check printing companies offer both styles. Look for larger business check pads as well as personal size business checkbook pads.

I recommend: Checks for Less offers on-the-go pads of 200 duplicate business checks for about $50. Checks Unlimited also sells duplicate business check pads. The company charges about $110 for 600 checks.

There a few different types of business checks: duplicate checks, triplicate checks and single checks. Duplicate and triplicate checks produce carbonless copies of checks to simplify record keeping. Checks are available in either wallet form or in a register that contains three checks to a page.

Duplicate checks may be available from your bank, 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 you order duplicate business checks:

1. Duplicate business checks that contain advanced security features;

2. A professional look and customizable features;

3. The ability to integrate with accounting software and print to a laser printer.

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Choose a duplicate check format

Like single checks, duplicate checks are available in a wallet that contains one check, or a page that contains three checks.

I recommend: Duplicate checks from Image Checks are available in a wallet or desk set. Check Crafters offers three-per-page duplicate checks that include a voucher stub so that you can balance your checkbook with each check written. Checks can be stored in coordinating Check Crafters binders.

Choose a duplicate business check provider that offers advanced security features

Prevent check fraud with security features that include chemically sensitive paper, printing or images that cannot be duplicated on a photo copier or printing on the back of the check.

I recommend: Styles Check and Check Crafters offer duplicate checks with security features including a hologram that cannot be forged.

Buy duplicate business 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 single sheets or continuous feed paper, and check details are printed on the check via your accounting software. Duplicates are printed along with the check. This process simplifies accounting and record keeping and saves time.

I recommend: Sterling offers duplicate checks that can be printed on laser or continuous feed printers. Duplicates are printed on canary colored paper, and triplicate printing is also available. Services include check design assistance, free logos, watermarks and window envelopes. Voucher checks from Intuit are available in a variety of colors and fonts, and you can add a logo and custom ink color for a one-time fee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you decide to print checks on your printer, you'll need to find out how the checks feed before ordering. When you order duplicate business checks for a front loading printer, check numbers may need to be reversed so that the last numbers are printed first.
• •  Consider the cost and convenience of duplicate checks vs. single checks before choosing which format you want. Duplicate checks cost slightly more per order, but they offer additional convenience. You'll have an exact copy of the check, which is helpful if you need to record the check information later

Most check printing companies offer duplicate checks as well as single-part checks. Although ordering duplicate checks costs more, many businesses buy duplicate business checks for a variety of reasons. When ordering business checks, duplicate checks applications and uses - for many companies - far outweigh the extra cost.

The carbonless check copy created when you write a duplicate check serves as a copy of the written check for your business. Co-owners of companies keep track of partner check writing through duplicate business checks. When considering ideas for your business, duplicate checks applications and use benefits include the following:

1. By using duplicate checks, business owners do not need to worry about immediately writing down and recording a check in the check register.

2. The record of the business duplicate check helps prevent the forgetting of a check amount and possible overdraft of a checking account.

3. Duplicate checks serve as a record for tracking expenses and completing end-of-the-year tax information.

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Use duplicate business checks to reduce check-writing time on site

Many business owners do not like to write checks because they feel it is more time-consuming than using cards for payment. However, duplicate business checks reduce the time it takes to write a check when you are on site and in a hurry. Rather than taking the time to record your check in the check register at the time of purchase, do it later and use your duplicate copy for reference to record the check when more time allows.

I recommend: American Consumer News offers an article regarding the hold-up check writing causes in line at businesses; one responder comments that duplicate checks save time and keep the line moving at a faster rate. A question and its answers on Yahoo discuss what to do with the duplicate check copy after you have used it to record checks in your register.

Prevent overdraft fees and track spending with duplicate business checks

Ordering business duplicate checks is more expensive than ordering single-part checks. However, you may make up the difference in cost by not paying overdraft fees. If you have a habit of forgetting to record checks, your checking account could be in trouble without a duplicate check copy. Duplicate business checks also help business partners keep track of each other's spending.

I recommend: In one response to a Thrifty Fun article, one reader comments that she uses duplicate checks to avoid bouncing checks and paying overdraft fees. Extension.org discusses how ordering duplicate checks helps those with the habit of forgetting to record their check purchase.

Keep duplicate checks for business copies for your record of payments

Even if you make it a point to carefully record all check purchases, business checks with duplicates make good resources for record-keeping. During monthly business balancing and tax recording, use your duplicate business check copies to ensure that you have accounted for all expenses.

I recommend: An article from eHow discusses the benefits of duplicate checks for record keeping when banks do not send bank copies of your written checks. Love To Know also talks about the use of business duplicate checks for record-keeping purposes.

Using duplicate checks as business checks is a good option for many companies looking for the added record of outgoing funds. A business duplicate check can come in many styles from the simple wallet design to the register check that comes with an additional area to record check information.

Understanding both basic duplicate check information and business check key terms can save you time and money when looking for the right duplicate business checks for your business.

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Wallet, register or desk

Three main types of checks, all available in duplicate check form, are wallet, register and desk checks. Wallet checks are the smallest and easiest to carry, while a register check comes with a business register to record transactions and a desk check comes with an extra tab on the side of the duplicate check to record the transaction details. While the later two have adequate recording capabilities, some companies do offer them in duplicate form for added record-keeping.

I recommend: 4Checks explains all types of checks and shows examples of each.

Cancelled checks

Cancelled checks are the actual check you get back from the bank after the party you wrote the check to cashed it. Not all checking accounts include the return of cancelled checks. For small businesses, an account without cancelled check return may be less expensive and easier managed with duplicate checks to keep a record of your check writing.

I recommend: Farmers Merchants explains the cancelled check process and recommends customers who use the EZ Checking use duplicate checks to keep track of their check writing.

Travel business check

Travel business checks are smaller packets of checks designed specifically to take on the road. They come in duplicate form so you can keep a good record of when, where and for how much each check was written.

I recommend: Check Crafters provides a description of the travel business check.

Duplicate deposit

A duplicate deposit book is a typical bank deposit recording book that includes a copy of each deposit slip. The copy is usually created with a two-part carbonless deposit slip - one turned in to the bank with the business deposit, the other remaining in the book for record keeping.

I recommend: USA Bank Checks explains the duplicate deposit book in detail and shows and example of what the book looks like.

Duplicate payroll checks

A duplicate payroll check is one that a company uses to print employee pay. The checks usually come in sheets of multiple checks. The duplicate form comes in a two-layer carbonless sheet that allows for an original check to distribute to the employee and a second copy for your business records.

I recommend: Review the duplicate payroll check options at Check Crafters. They provide several different types of duplicate payroll checks and stubs.

Design line

The design line is a place the printing business will allow you to put a personal message or line of information. Businesses can use this as an opportunity to include logos or contact information.

I recommend: Read the design line definition and explanation of a check at Designer Checks.