A Brief Primer On Check Printing For Freelancers & Remote Workers

For freelancers and remote workers, most of the work that they do is going to be online in one way or another. From finding clients, to completing work, to getting paid, it’s all online with very little offline interaction, and that can be both good and bad.

It can be a little rough because eventually they are going to need to print checks for a bank or for some other reason, and trying to figure out if you are prepared for that can be a hassle.

Making sure to print the check correctly so it can be used and also so you won’t get into any trouble with the bank is extremely important, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong if you don’t know what you are doing.

So here’s all you need to know about how to print checks legally, and safely. Then you can get back to working online with the knowledge that your check can be cashed!

Make Sure You Have A Proper Printer Set Up

There’s nothing more annoying than attempting to print a check only to discover that your hardware is what is causing the problem. Whether you have a printer already or are purchasing one for these types of scenarios, you need to make sure to follow a few common rules.

First, you need to make sure that you have a compatible printer with your computer (connected either by an ethernet cable or a USB plug connection).

Next, make sure you have the proper paper and toner for the printer, because if you try to print a check while the toner or the ink is low, that can cause some readability issues and the bank might not accept the payment.

Additionally, because you are printing financial information such as your account number and routing number on the check, make sure that you are controlling who has access to the printer and the work computer you are using to print personal checks. Home networks aren’t always the most secure, and even if people don’t have malicious intentions, if they catch sight of your personal financial information it can be hard to put the genie back into the bottle.

Make Sure To Have Your Signature Digitized

Sometimes you can print your check off with ease, but it still needs to be signed by someone or your business logo needs to be put on it, and that can be a massive problem. If someone other than you needs to sign off on your check, and you don’t want to risk sending the check over email, there are various programs you can use to digitize a signature.

This does carry its own element of risk, but if you know that your boss is going to need to sign every single check for your business, getting their signature, or at least having a way you can have access to it in a secure manner can be much easier than having to wait. Especially if you are working remotely.

Don’t Be Afraid To Look Online

There are countless websites and templates that not only give freelancers and remote workers the ability to find and sign blank checks online, but also plenty of guides on how to turn an online check into something you can take to the bank.

So don’t be afraid to do your research and ask for help, because you want to be able to print checks correctly the first time. Then you’ve got another way to get paid, which is always going to be exciting!