Configure and troubleshoot your print settings for printing cheques in QuickBooks Online

When you create a cheque for your expenses, you can print your cheque directly in QuickBooks Online. Make sure your printer is set up for QuickBooks so your cheques print out correctly. We’ll show you how to use the print setup and align your printer settings.

Note: You can use your own cheques to print, but they need to be formatted for QuickBooks. Or, you can order QuickBooks compatible cheques from Intuit.

Set up Print cheques

Before you start, put some blank paper into your printer for your test prints. That way you won’t waste actual cheques if you need to fix the alignment.

1. Select + New.
2. Select Print cheques.
3. Select Print setup.
   Note: If you don’t see this option, skip this step.
4. Select your cheque type, Voucher or Standard.
5. Select View preview and print sample. Then select Print.
6. Follow the on-screen steps to finish printing your sample cheque.
7. Put the sample print under a blank cheque. See if they line up correctly.

If it lines up, you’re all set. You’re ready to print on your regular blank cheques.

Troubleshooting for cheque alignment issues

Install or update Adobe Reader

If the sample print doesn’t line up with the blank cheque, we recommend using Adobe Acrobat for printing cheques. Adobe Reader is required for printing both Standard and Voucher cheques. Here’s how to download it and set it as your default PDF viewer:

1. Select + New.
2. Select Print cheques.
3. Select Print setup.
   Note: If you don’t see this option, skip this step.
4. Select No, continue setup to the question Are the fields lined up properly?
5. Select the latest version of the Reader link. This takes you to Adobe’s page where you can download the latest version of Acrobat Reader.
6. After installing Acrobat, go back to QuickBooks. Then select the How? link to set Adobe Reader as your browser’s default PDF viewer.
7. Go back to QuickBooks and select View preview and print sample. Then select Print.
8. Follow the on-screen steps to finish printing your sample cheque.
9. Check the alignment of your sample against a blank cheque.

If the alignment looks good, then you’re ready to print on your regular cheques.

Fine-tune the cheque alignment

If the cheque still doesn’t line up, here’s how to fine-tune your cheque alignment.

1. Select + New.
2. Select Print cheques.
3. Select Print setup.
   Note: If you don’t see this option, skip this step.
4. Select No, continue setup. Then select No, continue setup again at the question Are the fields lined up properly? This opens up the cheque in an alignment window where you can adjust the margins to correct the alignment:
5. In the cheque image window, drag the grid so the numbers are in the same place they appear on your sample print. QuickBooks will automatically adjust the alignment.
   Note: The numbers on the vertical and horizontal fields are adjustable and tell QuickBooks exactly where to print the cheque amount.
6. After adjusting the grid, select View preview and print sample. Then select Print.
7. Follow the on-screen steps to finish printing your sample cheque.
   Note: Check the alignment of your sample against a blank cheque.
8. Repeat the grid alignment process and print as many times as you need until your cheque is aligned correctly.
9. Select Finish setup.

If the alignment is right, print on your regular blank cheques.

Configure your printer dialog box

If the sample print is still off, you might need to adjust the scale in your print dialog box.

When you select the print option in QuickBooks, your default print dialog box opens. Depending on your setup, this might be the print dialog from your browser, Adobe Acrobat, or your printer’s driver. The steps for adjusting the scale or page size vary for each printing experience.

Here are some tips for adjusting the scale of your tool.

• Learn how to adjust print scale in Adobe Acrobat.
• Learn how to adjust print scale in common Brother printers.
• Learn how to scale or resize the printout in common HP printers (look for layout and formatting settings).
• Learn how to adjust print scale in common Canon printers.

If you need more help fine-tuning your alignment, here’s how to troubleshoot printing cheques and forms. Or, for other printing alignments, here’s what you need to know for setting up paycheques, 1099 forms, and sales forms.