Printing checks

lomontman · ‎March 26, 2025

New QBO user, posted a number of questions over the last few days and have received lots of helpful suggestions. Thank you. 25-year QBMac user.

WHAT, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT has Intuit done with check printing???? It now takes me twice as long to print a check as it used to (yes, I timed it - 15 seconds on QBMac Desktop, about 30 seconds with QBO, often longer. And I need to go through what seems like 6 different windows to do so. Then I need to close all those windows. AND I can no longer print individual checks so when I get to the third check in a page I have to export the QBO generated PDF to Preview, crop it, then print it, then close the pdf, and close all the windows back in QBO.

This has to be the most poorly designed piece of software I have ever seen in my life. Did a disgruntled Intuit employee decide to quit, got drunk and decided to prank Intuit by designing the worst piece of software possible? Then no one at Intuit fixed it.

This shouldn't be that hard. For a user that simply wants to print an individual check (and that's me and probably a lot of other small business users 100% of the time) we don't need a "Check Queue". We just need a PDF generated in a 3.5" x 8" window that can easily be printed by setting the paper size at 3.5x8, and changing to Landscape Orientation in the Print Dialog. Even easier is you save that printer setting and simply call it up whenever you need to print a check - easy-peasy.

Instead we have this nightmare of bloatware that works poorly. How long have QBO users been suffering with this nonsense? Or I'm a missing a simple way to Print Checks in QBO? I certainly don't see it.

OliverNoah725

Hi @lomontman,

Printing checks!

Acknowledge and empathize: Start by acknowledging the user's problem and showing some understanding. Printing issues can be frustrating.
Break it down: Printing problems can have multiple causes. It's best to approach this systematically. I can categorize potential issues into different areas.
Cover the basics: Start with the most common and easiest fixes first. This includes checking printer connections and QuickBooks settings.
Address more specific QuickBooks settings: Focus on settings directly related to check printing, like alignment and paper type.
Consider printer-related issues: Don't forget that the problem might lie with the printer itself.
Offer advanced troubleshooting: If the basic steps don't work, suggest more in-depth actions.
Provide resources: Point the user to official QuickBooks help and support if they're still stuck.
Maintain a helpful and encouraging tone: Throughout the response, I should sound supportive and let the user know I'm here to help.
Personalize where possible: Although I don't have specific details about the user's setup, I can use phrases that encourage them to check their specific settings.

Based on these thoughts, I can structure my response with the following sections:

Friendly greeting and acknowledgment of the problem.
Categorized troubleshooting steps:
- Basic printer checks.
- QuickBooks print setup.
- QuickBooks alignment.
- Printer driver issues.
- Physical check stock.
Advanced troubleshooting tips.
Recommendation to contact QuickBooks support.
Closing encouraging remark.

Hey there!

Oh no, printing checks in QuickBooks can be such a headache when it doesn't work right. It's like the last step in paying someone, and when it goes wrong, it throws everything off. Let's try to get this sorted out for you!

To give you the best advice, could you tell me a little more about what's going wrong? For example:

What exactly is happening when you try to print? Is it not printing at all? Is the alignment off? Are parts of the check missing?
Have you printed checks successfully before? If so, did anything change recently (like a QuickBooks update, a new printer, etc.)?
What kind of printer are you using? (Inkjet, laser, etc.)
Are you using pre-printed check stock that's compatible with QuickBooks?

In the meantime, here are a few things you can try that often fix common check printing issues in QuickBooks:

1. The Super Simple Stuff (Let's not overlook these!):

Is your printer turned on and connected properly? Double-check the power cord and the connection to your computer (USB cable or Wi-Fi). Sometimes the simplest things are the culprit!
Do you have enough ink or toner? A low ink/toner level can definitely cause printing problems.
Is there paper in the printer, and is it loaded correctly? Make sure the paper guides are snug but not too tight.

2. Dive into QuickBooks Print Settings:

Make sure the correct printer is selected in QuickBooks. When you go to print your checks, there should be a dropdown menu where you can choose your printer. Ensure the right one is selected.
Check the paper size and source in the print settings. QuickBooks usually has a specific setting for check printing. Make sure the paper size matches your check stock and the paper source is correct (e.g., manual feed, tray 1).

3. Alignment is Key!

Run the Print Alignment Test. This is your best friend when it comes to check printing. In QuickBooks, go to File > Print Forms > Checks. Before you actually print your checks, there should be an option like "Print Setup" or "Alignment." Click on that and follow the instructions to print a test page on plain paper. Hold it over your check stock to see how the alignment looks. You can then adjust the horizontal and vertical alignment until it lines up perfectly.
Double-check your check stock setup in QuickBooks. Go to File > Print Forms > Checks and then look for a "Check Style" or "Paper Type" option. Make sure it matches the type of check stock you're using (e.g., Standard, Wallet, Voucher).

4. Printer Driver Issues (Sometimes these can be sneaky!):

Make sure you have the latest printer driver installed. An outdated or corrupted printer driver can cause all sorts of printing problems. You can usually find the latest driver on your printer manufacturer's website (like HP, Epson, Brother, etc.). Try downloading and installing the newest version.

5. Physical Check Stock:

Are you using check stock that's specifically designed for your printer type (inkjet or laser)? Using the wrong type can lead to smudging or other printing issues.
Make sure the check stock is loaded in the correct orientation. There's usually a specific way checks need to be fed into the printer. Check your printer's manual or look for markings on the paper tray.

Let's work together to figure this out! Tell me more about what you're seeing, and we can try some more specific steps. Don't get too frustrated – we'll get those checks printing correctly!

lomontman

Wow, that's a lot or words.

Thank you for the effort but this kind of reminds me of when I was in academia grading exams. In response to a question needing an essay answer the student would perform what I called a "mind dump" furiously writing as much as possible about the general topic of which the question seemed to be a part of - I suppose in the hopes that the grader would find the answer to the question buried somewhere within. In cases where the answer was indeed buried within would the student receive an "A" - no, generally a "C"

This seems to be a reply that applies more to a QB Desktop program than the current QBO. The answer to the question in this case is not buried somewhere within this voluminous reply. The answer I'm afraid is that Intuit has intentionally designed software in which the user can NO LONGER print individual checks. I'm not talking about printing a single check on a page - that you can do. But the single check is printed on an 8-1/2x11" page and that page cannot be printed BY ANY PRINTER on a 3-1/2x8" check. I'm talking about printing a single check on a 3-1/2x8" page that any printer that can print in landscape mode can print.

And the reason that I write that Intuit has intentionally done this is that they now have a product you can purchase from them to solve the problem!!!!!! A check holding sheet that can used to print the 3rd check in a sheet in portrait printer mode without jamming the printer. So for a small sum of money one can solve the problem!!! It's one thing to get some software design and implementation wrong (QBO is littered with such issues); it's another thing to attempt to profit from poor design by solving the problem, not with a software fix that would benefit the user, but with a money-grubbing product there is no need for, at the expense of the innocent user who has virtually no recourse (the only other recourse, as I mentioned above, is to import the check pdf into a reader, and crop the document to a check-sized image - that can then be printed, though the alignment often gets a little wonky).

I would be happy to be proved wrong about my accusation, and will return to apologize profusely to Intuit if a solution is provided. So far however, no one in this Community has stepped forward to let me know how I can print a single check in QBO, as I have been doing for the last 25 years in QBMac.

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