Online Check Ordering: Safety, Vendors and Best Practices

Checks have been a reliable payment method for centuries, with origins tracing back to the 11th century when merchants in Basra used written payment instructions. Modern printed checks emerged in 18th-century England and dominated American transactions by the mid-1800s. While digital payment methods now compete for preference, checks remain widely used—though adoption varies significantly by age group. According to Forbes Advisor data, only 5% of Americans under 42 view check-writing as important for their banking needs, compared to 23% of those aged 59-77 and 33% of those 78 and older. For those still relying on traditional checks, understanding where and how to safely obtain them online is increasingly important.

Is It Safe To Order Checks Online?

The short answer is yes—ordering checks online is secure when you follow proper precautions. Reputable check retailers implement industry-standard security measures to protect your sensitive banking information. When evaluating any vendor, verify that they comply with the Consumer Product Safety Act, which ensures checks meet established safety and quality benchmarks. Financial institutions and merchants accept checks printed by compliant vendors precisely because these products meet rigorous industry standards.

To minimize risk, purchase exclusively from established retailers or your financial institution’s authorized partners. Major national retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Office Depot have extensive track records of secure transactions. Online-only merchants such as Vistaprint and Checks In The Mail have built reputations through decades of reliable service—Checks In The Mail alone has processed over one billion checks during more than a century of operation.

Before completing any purchase, verify the vendor’s security credentials and check their privacy policy. Legitimate companies safeguard your routing number, account number, and personal details with encryption and secure payment processing. If you’re uncertain about a retailer’s legitimacy, contact your bank directly for recommendations.

Where Financial Institutions and Retailers Sell Checks

You have multiple channels for obtaining personal checks. Banks and credit unions often provide complimentary checks initially, making these your first stop if you already have an account. Beyond your financial institution, several options exist:

Retail Chains: Major retailers including Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Office Depot stock personal checks at competitive prices. These brick-and-mortar locations offer the advantage of immediate purchase if you need checks urgently.

Online Retailers: Internet-based merchants provide the widest selection and flexible delivery options. Popular online vendors include Vistaprint, Checks In The Mail, Carousel Checks, CheckAdvantage, and Bradford Exchange. Each brings unique strengths—whether you prioritize selection, cost, security features, or design variety.

Membership Clubs: If you’re a member of Sam’s Club or Costco, purchasing checks through your membership can provide additional savings, particularly when ordering in bulk.

Smart Strategies for Reducing Check Costs

Banks often charge premium prices for checks despite offering initial free boxes. Here’s how to maximize value:

Compare Vendors Strategically: Skip expensive bank pricing. Retailers and online merchants consistently offer lower per-check costs. Request quotes from multiple vendors before deciding.

Embrace Bulk Ordering: Most vendors offer significant discounts when purchasing multiple boxes simultaneously. If you write checks infrequently but consistently, buying in bulk can dramatically reduce your per-check cost over time.

Choose Simplicity: Designer checks and customized features come at premium prices. Basic check designs deliver identical functionality at substantially lower cost. Reserve customization for special circumstances where the added expense justifies the benefit.

Plan Ahead: Order checks before you need them to avoid expedited shipping charges. Waiting until you’re on your last check forces emergency ordering, which carries significant premiums.

Reduce Overall Check Usage: Review your payment patterns. Many routine payments—bills, subscriptions, regular transfers—can shift to automated ACH payments or digital methods, reducing your overall check consumption and associated costs.

Top Online Vendors: Security Features and Value Comparison

The following merchants represent trusted sources for online check purchases, each offering distinct advantages:

Checks In The Mail specializes in reliability and affordability. With over a century of experience and billions of checks delivered, they offer hundreds of design options at economical rates.

Carousel Checks emphasizes value-oriented pricing. While designs are straightforward and delivery extends to four weeks, customers appreciate the cost savings.

Costco Checks prioritize security, featuring visible and invisible fluorescent fibers, heat-sensitive inks, holograms, and watermarks. These enhanced security features protect against counterfeiting and fraud, appealing to security-conscious consumers.

Walmart Checks combine extensive selection with low pricing. America’s largest retailer leverages its supply chain to offer competitive rates across numerous design options.

Bradford Exchange Checks serves design-conscious customers with over 800 distinct check designs, turning a functional banking tool into a personal expression vehicle.

CheckAdvantage boasts 2,500 original designs and complimentary shipping, making it ideal for customers prioritizing selection and convenience.

Sam’s Club Checks cater to bulk buyers and those needing printer-compatible formats. Membership pricing provides additional savings on large orders.

Vistaprint extends personal check services alongside business cards, postcards, and promotional materials, offering bundled printing solutions for comprehensive needs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your First Online Check Order

Follow this process to streamline your check purchase:

Step 1: Assess Your Check Usage Evaluate how many checks you actually write monthly or annually. This analysis often reveals opportunities to consolidate transactions through automatic payments or bill pay services, potentially reducing your check needs entirely.

Step 2: Determine Order Quantity Calculate how long a single box lasts based on your actual usage. If writing one or two checks monthly, a single box may serve you for years. This prevents overstock while ensuring you don’t run short.

Step 3: Prioritize Your Preferences Clarify what matters most: custom design, enhanced security features, free shipping, or minimal cost. These priorities guide vendor selection.

Step 4: Select Your Vendor Compare options among banks, retail chains, and online merchants. Consider security features, cost structure, delivery speed, and design selection in your choice.

Step 5: Provide Banking Details Once you’ve chosen your checks and vendor, you’ll enter your bank’s routing number, your account number, check number sequence, your full name and address, and your bank’s name and address. Double-check this information for accuracy before proceeding.

Step 6: Complete Payment and Await Delivery Process your payment through the vendor’s secure system. Your checks will arrive within the timeframe specified—typically 7-14 days for standard delivery from online retailers.

Modern Payment Methods Beyond Traditional Checks

For those seeking alternatives to traditional checks, numerous options exist:

Bank-to-Bank Transfers: ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments and electronic funds transfers (EFTs) move money directly between bank accounts using routing and account numbers. Most banks and credit unions facilitate these transfers readily.

Card-Based Payments: Debit and credit cards extend beyond point-of-sale transactions to encompass most merchants and service providers. Rewards credit cards offer additional benefits through cash back or points accumulation.

Digital Wallets: Electronic wallet services store funds, process payments, and maintain transaction histories—combining convenience with financial tracking.

Mobile Payment Apps: Services like PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle enable peer-to-peer transfers and merchant payments without cash or physical checks. These platforms have become standard payment methods for informal services and personal transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information appears on personal checks?

Personal checks include your bank’s routing number, your account number, the check number, your name and address, and your bank’s name and address. This information ensures proper fund routing and identification.

Why is a check called a “check”?

The term “check” (originally “cheque”) derives from its historical function as a safeguard or verification mechanism against forgery and fraud, particularly regarding financial instruments.

Can I print checks myself?

Technically yes—no law prohibits personal check printing. However, banks and merchants often reject homemade checks because they lack required security features. Compliant checks require specialized printers using magnetic ink, dedicated check-printing software, and security-grade check paper. The investment in equipment typically exceeds the value of bulk ordering from established vendors.

How do I know if an online check vendor is legitimate?

Verify Consumer Product Safety Act compliance, check privacy policies, review customer testimonials, and confirm secure payment processing. Established retailers with long operating histories—like those featured above—represent safer choices than unknown vendors with limited track records.