4 Ways to Print Payroll Checks Online for Free
With the abundance of information available online, obtaining payroll checks has become easier than ever. In today’s digital age, paper checks are no longer a necessity, and there are many online options available that eliminate the need for physical checks. However, receiving checks via mail can be costly. Fortunately, there are five cost-effective methods to obtain issued paystubs. For employees who prefer physical checks over direct deposits, printing payroll checks online for free is an excellent solution. While free services may have limitations, such as a one-check-per-day policy, all that’s required is a printer, check the material and magnetic ink. Within minutes, you can begin printing checks. Check out the options below to learn how you can start printing checks for free:
1. Make use of online check printing services
Looking for an easy and free way to print checks without payroll software? Try Print Check Online. This free online check printing service allows you to print checks instantly without any downloads or installations. With Print Check Online, you can print one check per day and manage one payer profile, bank account, and postal address on your account. Say goodbye to the hassle and expense of traditional check printing methods and start printing checks for free today with Print Check Online.
Step 1: Sign up for a free account and log in.
Get started with Print Check Online today with these easy steps. First, create your free account by clicking on the “Create Free Account” button on the top center of the homepage. Then, enter your login ID, password, and email address to complete your account setup. Be sure to follow the password guidelines, which exclude special characters and spaces. You’ll receive a confirmation email within 15 minutes of completing the form. To verify your email address, simply click the link in the email.
Step 2: Fill out the Check Details form.
Once you have verified your email, you can sign in to your account. After logging in, navigate to the top of the website and click on “Check Printing” located next to the “Home” button. This will take you to a page where you can fill out all the necessary information for printing your checks.
- 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
For optimal performance on Print Check Online, ensure that your resolution settings are set to 96 DPI. If you’re using Windows 10, follow these steps to adjust your DPI settings: Close all open applications on your computer and right-click on the desktop. Click on “Properties” and select “Advanced.” Change the DPI setting to “Normal size (96 DPI)” click on “Apply” and then “OK.” For other operating systems, refer to the manual or search online for instructions on how to adjust the DPI and page setup.
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
Preview your check before printing it by following these steps. Once you have entered your check information, adjusted the print parameters, and loaded your check stock, click “Preview Your Check” at the bottom of the page. You will see a preview of your check with a watermark that indicates that it is for preview purposes only. When you are ready to print the check, click “Click to Print Your Check” at the bottom of the page, and an identical check will print without the watermark. Print it on your preferred printer.
2. Use a Mobile App
Printing checks from your mobile device is now possible with Check Writer, an Android app designed for at-home check writing and printing. With just a US bank account, printer, personal-sized blank check material, and magnetic ink, you can easily write and print checks right from your phone. The app assures users that their financial information will never be stored on the cloud or servers, ensuring maximum security. Once you print the check, you can sign it and hand it over to your employees to endorse and cash or keep a digital copy on your smartphone or tablet.
To print checks using Check Writer 3.0, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Get the app on your phone and install it.
To start using Check Writer 3.0, download and install the app from the Google Play Store. During installation, you will be prompted to agree to the app’s terms of use and privacy policy.
Step 2: Fill out the Check Information form.
To fill out a check in the mobile app Check Writer 3.0, enter your name and address at the top, the payee’s name besides “Pay to the order of,” the amount in numeric form, and a memo. Sign the check with your printed name. To add your bank account and routing numbers, click on the designated area, and a prompt to add a bank account will appear. Follow the arrows on the image of a check to locate your account and routing numbers from your bank-issued checks. Then, enter the following information:
- 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.
Once you have filled in all the necessary information, select “Save Bank Account” to save your account details. The app will prompt you to double-check your data and let you know that it is not responsible for any mistakes. After clicking “OK,” you will be redirected to the check preview page.
The newly added bank account can now be selected for use in the system. Simply click on the bottom section of the check where your routing and accounting numbers are located, and a popup will display with the accounts you entered. Select the bank account you wish to pay from, and the routing account and check numbers will automatically fill in on the check.
Step 3: Look Over Your Check
To print or save your check-in PDF format, locate the four white dots aligned vertically at the top right corner of the page and click on them. From the drop-down that appears, select “Print or Save PDF,” and a box with information about print settings will show up. It is essential to review the print settings to ensure that the check’s alignment, border, and size are correct before printing or saving the check-in PDF format.
Step 4: Set up the printer, adjust the settings, load the paper, and print
Selecting a printer is the next step. To begin, select “All Printers” in the upper left corner (you’ll also have the option to save it as a PDF), and your device will begin scanning for available printers. Adding a wireless printer to your phone can be done via your phone’s settings, with specific methods varying based on the phone model.
Until your smartphone connects to a local printer, you may see a warning.
Make sure that your printer and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This will simplify the process of locating and connecting to the printer with your phone. If you can’t locate the option to add a printer in your phone’s settings, check your user manual or perform a Google search.
Before printing, ensure that your printer is loaded with personal-sized check material as Check Writer 3.0 can only print on this size for now. If you experience overlapping fields on your printed check, adjust the font size or type in the “Settings”-> “Customize checks” option. For alignment issues, go to “Settings”-> “Print Settings” and make the necessary adjustments.
Office Depot’s personal check stock is recommended by the software for printing. However, if you’re unable to print wirelessly, save the check as a PDF file and print it from a PC or laptop after emailing it to yourself. It’s worth mentioning that you can also print blank checks to fill in later. Simply follow the instructions above but leave the check information blank.
Note that Check Writer 3.0 plans to offer business-sized checks in the future. Stay tuned for updates on this feature.
3. Using Free Payroll Software
Payroll4Free is a convenient and cost-effective online payroll solution designed for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. With this software, you can effortlessly process payroll, calculate payroll taxes, generate tax forms, and track vacation time. Additionally, you can offer your employees the choice of receiving their paychecks via direct deposit through your bank.
If you’re looking to print payroll checks using Payroll4Free, here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Download and install the Payroll Application.
Learn how to set up payroll checks online with Payroll4Free, a free payroll software that streamlines payroll tax computations, tax form filing, vacation tracking, and more for businesses with less than 25 employees. To get started, visit the website and fill out the form with your company and contact details. After submitting, you’ll receive two emails with information on the service’s features, available add-ons, and how to initiate payroll.
One of the emails will contain a link to download the application. Follow the prompts, such as granting permission to execute the software, and complete the installation process. Once logged in, input the necessary information to establish your company, payroll, taxes, and employee details, including your bank’s account and routing numbers, pay frequency, and W-4 details.
Once all required data has been entered, submit it and wait for an email notification confirming that your account has been set up. It’s that easy!
Step 2: Payroll Processing
After receiving confirmation of your account setup, you can start processing payroll in Payroll4Free. The left-hand menu on the dashboard provides access to payroll processing, reporting, and maintenance information. To begin printing payroll checks, you must first create a new batch and enter your employees’ hours or salaries. Additionally, you must confirm the check date, payroll period, and payment options (checks and/or direct deposits). The system will automatically compute deductions, employer taxes, earnings, and salaries due based on the information entered during setup and the hours submitted.
Once you’ve entered all of your employees’ information, you can review pre-posting reports to ensure the accuracy of your checks before printing them. This can help you avoid the need to void and reprint checks later on.
View all your payroll information, including earnings, taxes, general ledger accounts, and other essential details through pre-posting reports. The earnings report will be the first report displayed, followed by a comprehensive tax report, summary tax report, journal entries, and a check register. Simply click the left or right arrow next to your business name at the top of the page to switch between them.
The check register will be the last report you see, and there will be no check number because you haven’t printed the checks yet. Hovering over an employee’s name will display a blue bar that allows you to dig deeper into their records. Double-click on the check you want to preview to view it in detail.
Before funds are deposited into your account, ensure to review your payroll report to ensure accuracy. To view the check that will be printed, click on the white X in the top right corner to exit the drill-down. Once you are back on the check register, click on the “Post” button (with a green checkmark in front) on the top right-hand side. This will update your payroll and take you to the check printing page. To print the pre-posting report, select the “Print” button located in the top center of the page.
Step 3: Prepare the printer by loading it.
When it’s time to print your payroll checks, don’t forget to load your check stock into the printer. Make sure that the correct printer is selected and that the checks displayed below are for the expected amount. You can change the printer by selecting it from the drop-down box if needed. This will ensure that your checks are printed accurately and efficiently.
Step 4: Print Payroll Checks
When you’re ready, navigate to the right and select the “Print All” option, which is the third option from the top. The system will print your checks and prompt you to confirm that they were printed correctly. If you choose to see the posting reports, a pop-up window will appear. By selecting “Yes,” you’ll receive a report that resembles the pre-posting reports, but includes check numbers. The report may be saved as a pdf, CSV, or text file. Click the white X located in the top right corner to exit.
After printing the checks, the system will redirect you to a list of uploaded batches. If the lettering on your batch is black, it indicates that checks have been printed. If it’s red, you’ve modified the information but have not yet printed the checks. If it is tinted gray, there is a void check in the batch. Click the “Close” button on the far right side of the PR Explorer, which is the last button on the list, to exit.
Access a list of uploaded payment batches and reprint checks easily with these simple steps. Head to the Reports tab and select “Other Reports” from the dropdown menu. Next, choose “Payroll Check Register Report” and select a date range. Click “Generate” and the system will present a check register report to you, similar to the original batch. To view a specific transaction, simply hover over it and double-click to reveal the check. If you need to reprint a check, click “Print” and the check will be reprinted, even if it has already been posted.
4. Using an Online Payroll Provider’s Free Trial
If you are looking for a fast payroll check printing solution, there are various payroll service providers available that offer a free trial period to their users. While the trial period may be short, you can quickly print payroll checks during this time, but once the trial period expires, you may need to sign up for a paid subscription. Some payroll service providers may request payment information upfront, such as debit card details, while others allow users to use the system immediately without providing any payment information.
Step 1: Sign up for a free trial and get started.
Starting with basic information about yourself and your business, including your name, address, and number of employees, you can set up an account. You will be required to create a password and disclose if you have processed payroll in the current year. Once you have completed these initial steps, you can proceed with the setup process.
To begin, log in and provide the necessary information. Keep in mind that when using payroll software, payroll processing must occur before check printing. You will be prompted to provide the following information:
- 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
To pay your employees through payroll checks, you need to specify it in the employee setup option. Navigate to the left side of the dashboard and click on “People” to input details about each worker, including their payment method. Here, you can select the payroll check as your preferred payment method.
Step 2: Process Payroll
Streamline your payroll process with Gusto’s time-tracking system that allows you to easily monitor and approve your employees’ work hours. With individual logins for your team members, they can easily input their hours for each pay period. For salaried employees, Gusto will calculate their monthly payments. The system will also calculate gross pay and deductions for all employees once you have approved their time. With everything in order, you can confidently print your payroll checks.
Step 3: Choose Printing Options and Load the Printer
When you’re on the Write Checks page in Gusto, select ‘Print Checks’ after processing payroll. You’ll be prompted to choose a check type – top paper for customized checks or bottom paper for blank checks. Gusto recommends specific customized and blank check stock to ensure compatibility with the system.
To select a customized top check, choose ‘Layout t10196’ and change the check style tab from ‘by Software’ to ‘by Layout.’
If you have blank check stock and need Gusto to enter your business and bank information, select the blank bottom check option.
Step 4: Load your check stock, preview your checks, and print them
Before printing your payroll checks, make sure that your printer has a magnetic ink cartridge or toner installed. Once you have loaded your check stock, go to the “Prepare Checks” section to view the check details and earnings statement in PDF format. If you select the “Blank with Check on Bottom” option, save the PDF file since the check numbers will change if you regenerate the batch for reprinting later. To avoid printing issues, uncheck the “Fit to Page” or “Scale to Page” options.
After preparing the checks, all that’s left is to print, sign, and distribute them to your employees. You won’t have to create pay stubs manually because they are already included.