ChatGPT
Claude
Grok
Perplexity
Gemini
Quick answer: A check maker builds a business check from details you type in, so you do not have to fill in each check by hand. Have your business name, your bank routing and account numbers, and each payee’s exact name and address ready. With OnlineCheckWriter, you then print the check yourself or have it mailed for you.
Key Takeaways
Meet Maple Row Hair Studio, a made-up salon in Macon, Georgia. It is an example, not a real customer.
Each month the owner pays a product distributor, a landlord, and a stylist who rents a chair. All three still want a check. She has never used an online check maker, so she starts with two questions. What does she need on hand? And which checks should she print, and which should she mail?
What Do You Need Ready Before You Use a Check Maker?
Pull these together first. It saves you from stopping halfway through a check.
| Have ready | Where to get it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Business name and address | Your business registration or past invoices | Appears on the check as the payer. |
| Bank routing and account numbers | A voided check or your bank’s account details | Use only your own business account. These numbers decide which account pays. |
| Payee’s exact name | Their invoice, lease, or W-9 (for a business or independent contractor) | A misspelled name can cause a deposit problem. If unsure, ask how their account is titled. |
| Payee’s mailing address | Their invoice or lease | Needed only if you will have the check mailed. |
| Amount and memo | The invoice or agreement | Put the invoice number in the memo so your records line up. |
| Your logo | A clear image file | Optional. Keep it away from the payment fields. |
Still comparing tools? See the features to look for in a check maker.
Which Salon Payments Should You Print and Which Should You Mail?
The rule Maple Row uses is simple. If the owner can hand it over, she prints it. If it has to travel, she mails it.
| Payee | Print or mail | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Product distributor | It has to reach the distributor, and the owner is with clients. | |
| Landlord | A due date matters, so allow for delivery and send early. | |
| Stylist who rents a chair | You hand it over in person. |
Set Up Your First Check
Enter your details, pick a template, and add your logo. Then choose whether to print the check or have it mailed.
What Should You Know Before You Print or Mail?
OnlineCheckWriter says you can print checks yourself on blank check stock. The catch is the number line along the bottom, called the MICR line. Bank machines read it, and the reliable way to print a bank-readable one is a laser printer with magnetic (MICR) toner.
So before you print a batch, print one test check on your actual stock. Then ask your bank about self-printed checks. Some banks may have their own rules.
The check mailing page says mailed checks are printed on real check paper with MICR ink and handed to USPS or FedEx. There are several delivery options, and they vary by speed and price. Mailing fees apply, so check current pricing before you send, and send early for anything with a due date.
One last thing. Keep your routing and account numbers private, and only share them with services you trust.
What Mistakes Should a New Check Maker User Avoid?
- Typing a nickname instead of the payee’s legal name. Use the name on their invoice, lease, or W-9.
- Printing a full batch before a test. One bad print wastes the whole stack of check stock.
- Mailing rent on the due date. Delivery takes time, so send it early.
- Placing the logo near the payment fields. Keep it clear of the amount, payee, and number line.
FAQ: Check Maker Basics for a Small Business
What is a check maker?
It is a tool that builds a check from details you enter, such as the payer, payee, amount, and bank account numbers. You then print it or have it mailed.
What information do I need to make a check?
Your business name and address, your bank routing and account numbers, the payee’s exact name, the amount, and a memo. Add the payee’s mailing address if you want the check mailed.
Do I need special paper or a special printer?
Blank check stock can go through a regular printer, per OnlineCheckWriter. But a bank-readable number line is normally printed with a laser printer and magnetic toner. Print one test check and ask your bank, or have the check mailed.
When should I mail a check instead of printing it?
Mail it when the person is out of reach or the check has a due date to meet. Print it when you can hand it over in person.
Can I add my logo to a check?
OnlineCheckWriter lists logo and branding options. Keep the logo clear of the payment fields.
Can I set up checks for several payees at once?
OnlineCheckWriter lists bulk payments but gives no setup detail on the check maker page. Ask OnlineCheckWriter support for the current steps and limits.
Ready to Make Your First Check?
Try the check maker, then decide per payee whether to print or have it mailed.
OnlineCheckWriter.com – Powered by Zil Money, is a financial technology company and not a bank. Banking services are provided by our partner bank, Member FDIC. FDIC insurance applies only to eligible products associated with those that have funds held in accounts at the partner bank, subject to applicable limits and requirements.