Qualities of a Good Check Writing and Printing Service

According to recent studies, the average person still uses 38 checks per year. This means that, on average, a person engages in checking activity about once every 9 or 10 days. People write checks for a wide variety of different reasons, including paying rent, making payments, and giving gifts. But, without a doubt, the part of our world where check issuing is most common is the world of business.
 
Even in an increasingly digital era, there are still plenty of reasons businesses choose to write physical checks. Checks often have added security features and can also help create a much more professional image.
 
Because most businesses—both large and small—write at least some checks on a regular basis, the market for check printing and issuing services has considerably grown. Instead of keeping these tasks in house, many businesses prefer to delegate check issuing to the experts with the infrastructure needed to operate more efficiently.
 
The problem, it seems, is that with so many different check issuing companies available for your business to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Fortunately, with just a little bit of research, your business can narrow down its options. In this article, we will briefly discuss the ten most important things to look for in a check writing service.

Every business is unique. Naturally, your business will need check issuing services that are compatible with your needs. The best check issuing companies will offer you a wide range of different services to choose from. By being able to carefully select the services you use, a la carte, you will be able to add value to your business without paying too much money. Many check writing and issuing companies also offer related services, such as statement printing. By bundling these services together, you may be able to save even more.

Your business will likely grow and change form over time. Instead of having to constantly readjust your operations every time you make a major change, it will be much easier to work with a business that allows your operations to scale up appropriately. In most cases, the more checks you print and deliver per month, the less you will be paying on a “per check” basis. In the end, having scalable options will have a positive impact on your bottom line.

Checks can come in many different forms. The types of checks that are appropriate for your business will depend on your industry, your check issuing volume, and the amount that your business is willing to spend. Being able to issue blank checks or checks without a signature may help give your business more flexibility in certain situations. Regardless, having a wider range of check types to choose from is undeniably a valuable thing.

Whether your checks are being issued to your employees, your suppliers, your clients, or anyone else, these checks represent an excellent branding opportunity. There are many different ways you can make your checks a bit more personable, ranging from incorporating logos to using a specific font. By maintaining the integrity of your brand, your company will increase its sense of professionalism.

In the digital era, many check printing and issuing companies are based almost entirely online. In order for the relationship you have with your check issuing service to be as fruitful as it can possibly be, you’ll want to make sure that their website is easy to use. With an integrated, user-friendly portal, you will be able to make adjustments to your checks and also control if, how, and when they are issued.

Most businesses use some type of accounting software, the most popular of which is QuickBooks. Instead of needing to enter data into your accounting platform and then enter it again into the checking portal, it will be much easier to have a system where this data can be directly imported. Having an option to import will be even more valuable if your business is responsible for printing thousands of checks per month.

Whenever you are dealing with anything financial, your business will want to make sure that all information is kept entirely secure. As you would probably expect, the best check issuing services offer many different special security features. These features include specialized ink, fraud detection mechanisms, positive pay, and various others. By taking active measures to keep both digital and paper financial documents secure, your business can continue operating smoothly.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) has transformed the way that sensitive medical information is recorded and delivered. If your business operates in the medical industry or a related industry, then making sure you are HIPAA compliant is an absolute must. There are thousands of HIPAA violations occurring every year. In order to avoid future legal pains, choose a check issuing partner that understands what HIPAA entails.

If your business is operating with a narrow margin, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the status of all accounts receivable and all accounts payable. Monitoring the status of each of your checks can help you avoid bounces and ensure that everything has gone through. Usually, check tracking features can be found directly through the portal. Your check issuing partner may also issue periodic (often weekly) status reports.

Even with something as mundane as check writing, excellent customer service can really go a long way. By having a partner you know you can trust, your business will be much less likely to run into future issues. Before choosing a check issuing company, take the time needed to conduct a preliminary interview. By having each of your questions answered, your business will be able to determine if the prospective partner is a good fit.

There are countless advantages of using a professional check writing service. These companies can decrease the cost of issuing checks, increase the quality of each check, and further free up the time you need to focus on other components of your business. By doing the necessary legwork and looking for a check issuing service with these features, your business can gain an immediate competitive advantage.