Checks Printing in the Wrong Place? How to Fix Check Alignment

You load your blank check stock, click print, and the check comes out a little too high, too far left, or cut off. This is the most common problem when people start printing their own checks, and it is almost always easy to fix.

This guide walks you through the causes, from the most common to the least, and shows how to line everything up.

First: why alignment matters

On a check, position matters more than on a normal page:

• The MICR line (the bank numbers at the bottom) must sit in the right spot for bank machines to read it.
• The check must fit inside the perforated area, so it tears off cleanly.
• If you mail checks, the payee address must show through the envelope window.

Step 1: Turn off scaling (the #1 cause)

Most alignment problems come from the print dialog shrinking the page.

In your print dialog, look for Scale, Page sizing or Fit, and choose:

• Actual size, or
• 100%, or
• None / No scaling

Turn off "Fit to page", "Shrink to fit" or "Fit to printable area". These make the check smaller and move everything toward the center.

Printing from a phone? Phone print screens also have scaling options. Look under "More settings" or the printer options and choose 100% or actual size if you see it.

Step 2: Check the paper size

Make sure the paper size in the print dialog is Letter (8.5 x 11 in), the size of standard check stock in the US. If it is set to A4, the check can shift.

Step 3: Load the check stock the right way

Every printer feeds paper differently. Some print on the side facing up, some on the side facing down. Some take the top edge first.

An easy test:

1. Take a plain sheet of paper and draw an arrow at the top, pointing up, on the side facing you.
2. Put it in the tray the way you would load check stock.
3. Print any page.
4. Look at where the print landed compared with your arrow.

Now you know which side faces up and which edge goes in first. Load your check stock the same way, so the check part is where your software expects it (for example, check on top).

Step 4: Use the right paper setting

Check stock is a little thicker than normal paper. In your printer settings, choose "Thick", "Heavy" or "Cardstock" if you have that option. This helps the paper feed straight. Using the manual feed or rear tray, if your printer has one, can also help thick paper go through straight.

Step 5: Make sure the layout matches your paper

Your software's layout must match the stock you bought:

• Check on top, middle or bottom?
• 1 check per page or 3 per page?

If your stock has the check on top but the software is set for the bottom, nothing will line up.

Step 6: Do a test print on plain paper

Before using real check stock:

1. Print the check on plain paper.
2. Hold the printed sheet on top of a sheet of check stock, against a window or a bright light.
3. See how far off the text is, and in which direction.

This saves check stock and shows you exactly how much to adjust.

Step 7: Fine-tune with a printer offset

If everything is a little off in the same direction, for example the whole check is 2 mm too high, use a printer offset. This moves the whole check on the page by a small amount.

In Check Snapper:

1. Open Customize check layout (from Write Check, the print page or Settings).
2. Use Printer offset to move the whole check left/right and up/down.
3. If only one item is off, fine-tune the placement of that element in millimetres.
4. Click Save company layout.
5. Print another test on plain paper.

You can also choose the check position (top, middle or bottom) and 1 check + 2 stubs or 3 checks per page in the same place.

Step 8: Print a real check and confirm

Once the test lines up, print on real check stock. In Check Snapper, when the print dialog closes, the app asks "Did it print OK?"

• Click Yes, it printed OK to mark the check as Printed.
• Click No, leave unchanged if something went wrong, fix the setting, and try again.

If a check was already marked Printed and came out wrong, you can reprint it from the Check Register. Every reprint asks for a reason, so your records stay clear. If you'd rather start over, void the check and write a new one. See how to void a check.

Quick fixes for common problems

The whole check is too small. Scaling is on. Set it to Actual size / 100%.

Everything is shifted the same amount. Use Printer offset to move the whole check.

One item is off, but the rest is fine. Adjust that element's placement in Customize check layout.

The check prints on the wrong part of the sheet. Check the check position (top, middle or bottom) and how you load the paper.

The print is crooked. The paper is feeding at an angle. Adjust the paper guides in the tray so they touch the stack, and try the manual feed slot.

The paper jams. Use the thick paper setting, fan the sheets before loading, and don't overfill the tray.

The bottom numbers look faint or smudged. Check your toner, and consider MICR toner. See do you need MICR toner?

When to ask for help

If you have tried all of the above and the check still does not line up, contact Check Snapper support at support@checksnapper.com with your printer model and what you see. Never send bank account or routing numbers.

The bottom line

Most check alignment problems are fixed by turning off scaling and printing at Actual size / 100%. After that, load the paper the right way, match the layout to your stock, test on plain paper, and fine-tune with a printer offset.

Read next: the best printer for printing checks, how to print a check from your phone and can I print my own checks?

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