It’s no secret that check printing volumes continue to decline as business checks are gradually replaced by ACH, credit card and digital wallet payments. Nonetheless, the market for security business checks remains substantial — particularly among the nation’s small businesses.
According to the recent Federal Reserve 2024 Business Payments Study:
Given the roughly 35 million small businesses in operation nationwide, this means that millions of small business owners regularly consider how to order business checks and the benefits of ordering business checks vs. personal checks, among other things.
The blog that follows explores personal checks vs. business checks and the most common business check security features. Our goal is to help small business owners answer four basic questions as they prepare to purchase business checks:
Corporate checks and other types of business checks are paper check documents issued from a business checking account. These checks are used to pay vendors, employees, contractors and other business-related expenses.
Business checks are similar in function to personal checks but are specifically designed for commercial use. For example, business checks are typically printed in a larger format than personal checks. They are often compatible with specialized business accounting software, printers and/or MICR toner cartridges. In addition, business checks are tied to a business bank account, which is vitally important as we will see in a moment.
The differences between personal checks vs. business checks may seem inconsequential on the surface. After all, both types of checks serve the same basic function — transferring money from one party to another. This often leads small businesses to conclude that they can use business checks for personal expenses and vice versa.
However, business checks are specifically designed for commercial use and are different in several key respects.
This last distinction is critical to the business owner. Using business checks for personal purposes — or the other way around — can create confusion among vendors and customers. It also complicates bookkeeping and may raise red flags with the IRS.
The use of secure business checks helps maintain clear financial boundaries and ensures your business appears credible, compliant and professional. Common uses for corporate checks and other types of business checks include:
Incidentally, this last point warrants special mention as well. The rush to digital payment mechanisms often overlooks the cost factor.
The question of which types of business checks are “best” is difficult to address. As with most things in life, the answer is “it depends.” However, choosing the right checks for business can save a company precious time, reduce fraud risk and minimize operational costs. Here are three things to consider.
A business laser check is a type of business check specifically designed to be printed using a laser or inkjet printer, typically in conjunction with accounting or bookkeeping software like QuickBooks, Sage or Xero. These checks are widely used by small- and medium-sized businesses for their efficiency, security and professional appearance. The following are some issues to think about when purchasing business laser checks.
Software compatibility
Check layout
Customization
Within the realm of business laser checks, a subset known as pressure seal checks offers a compelling alternative for companies that issue high volumes of checks like payroll, rebates or refunds. Pressure seal checks are self-mailing documents that combine the check and envelope into a single sheet of paper. After printing, the check is folded and sealed by applying pressure to pre-applied adhesive strips along the edges. No envelopes, no manual folding and no extra steps.
As with other business laser checks, pressure seal checks can vary according to software compatibility, check layout and customization options. However, you’ll also want to consider the following when making a decision to purchase pressure seal checks.
Fold style
Sealing equipment
Address window
Physical format aside, secured business checks often include the following types of document security features to provide check fraud protection.
Artificial watermark
Symbols can be printed on corporate checks in white or transparent ink that become visible to the human eye when viewed at a 45° angle. The symbols can also be designed to fluoresce under a black light. These features are also known as simulated watermarks.
Defaced voucher
A relatively simple modification to most business checks, a defaced voucher adds background printing (sometimes a logo or seal) to the blank areas of the document.
Laid lines
Lines are printed onto the surface of the secure business checks in a specially formulated gray ink that makes alteration difficult for the fraudster.
Microprinting
Microprinting is a reduced line of type that appears as a solid or dashed line — until viewed under magnification. Characters, words or phrases are then distinguishable in the image.
Tamper-evident coatings
A protective chemical coating is applied to high-security business checks that activates the word “VOID” when exposed to bleach, solvents or hypochlorite commonly used for washing check documents.
Thermochromic ink
Thermochromic ink changes color or disappears when warmed and returns to its normal color upon cooling. Also known as mood ink.
Toner lock
A clear coating is printed over sensitive areas of secure checks to protect against alteration of those areas later on. The coating makes removal of laser printer toner extremely difficult compared to untreated paper.
Void pantographs
Void pantographs are warning messages hidden in printed pantograph backgrounds which are difficult to reproduce and provide effective protection against color copier fraud. A “void” warning message appears when the corporate checks are photocopied.
Warning bands
Text on the face of business checks informs the persons accepting the check which security features should be present.
As with other business supplies, it is absolutely possible for small businesses to purchase business checks online. In fact, online check printing services are now considered the best place to order business checks by many small businesses. Online check printing services offer many compelling advantages including:
Here again, the answer is a resounding “yes.” It is absolutely safe for small businesses to order business checks online provided they utilize a reputable and secure check printing service. Millions of businesses nationwide have discovered that — when the right partner is used to purchase business checks — it is safe, efficient, fast and highly cost-effective for several reasons:
Secure websites and encryption
Reputable check printing services use SSL encryption to ensure that sensitive data, like your bank account and routing numbers, is encrypted during transmission.
Compliance with industry standards
The best check printing services comply with ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and Check Payment Systems Association (CPSA) standards governing check layout, security features and fraud prevention.
Data privacy policies
A printing service that specializes in check printing should also have strict privacy policies, meaning they will not store or share your financial data unnecessarily.
Shop.Taylor.com is the direct e-commerce ordering service of Taylor Corporation, one of the largest providers of secure business checks and other business documents in North America. In fact, Taylor has been leading the way in printed document security features for decades.
Many of the most advanced business check security features used by financial institutions nationwide were originally developed by Taylor. Thanks to Shop.Taylor.com, small businesses now have access to those same technologies. High-security laser business checks and pressure seal checks with the check fraud protection features described above can be ordered through Shop.Taylor.com.
Want to do more than simply order business checks online? Shop.Taylor.com is also a convenient online resource for business form printing including:
Looking for the best company to order checks from? Try Shop.Taylor.com, a true one-stop shop for business documents.