How to Order Checks Online: Cheapest & Safest Options
If you've ever ordered checks through your bank, you know the sticker shock: $25–$40 for a single box. Order the same checks through a third-party printer and you'll often pay 70% less for identical security features. Here's how to do it safely.
Cheapest Places to Order Checks
- Walmart Checks — boxes from around $8
- Costco Checks — members get sharp pricing on bulk orders
- Checks Unlimited — frequent first-box discounts
- Carousel Checks — among the lowest base prices
- Bradford Exchange — wide design selection at mid-tier prices
Security Features to Demand
- Microprinting on the signature line
- Chemical-reactive paper that stains if altered
- Watermark visible at an angle
- Heat-sensitive ink in the security icon
- Padlock icon (industry standard for security checks)
What You'll Need to Order
- Your routing number and account number (use a current check or your bank's app — never a deposit slip)
- Your starting check number (continue from where your last box ended)
- Your name and address as you want them printed
Avoid These Mistakes
- Ordering from a sketchy site you found via an ad — stick to reputable printers
- Skipping the security features to save $2
- Putting your phone number or driver's license number on the check (identity theft risk)
- Letting a check go to an old address — track delivery carefully
Or Skip the Order Entirely
If you only need a few checks, printing them on demand is cheaper than ordering a whole box. Download QuickCheck for free on iOS and Android to write, print, and track every check from your phone — with a built-in checkbook register that balances itself.