Print checks

Balancivo prints the checks you write onto pre-printed voucher check stock, the kind sold as QuickBooks-compatible, with the check on top and two stubs below. Your bank's name, routing and account numbers, the check number, the $ sign, the word DOLLARS and the signature line are already on the paper, so Balancivo never prints them. Sign each check by hand.

Before you start

• Buy voucher checks, check on top, for laser or inkjet printers. Any QuickBooks-compatible voucher check works.
• Record the check in the register first. See Write and track checks.

Set up printing (owners, once per bank account)

1. Go to Checks and click Check printing setup.
2. Click Print a test page and print it on plain paper.
3. Hold the test page against a blank check in front of a light. The date, payee, amount and memo should sit on their lines.
4. If the print is off, move it. Enter inches in Move right or Move down (negative numbers move left or up), and print another test page.
5. Enter Next check number: the number printed on your next blank check.
6. If your checks don't have your name and address printed on them, type them in Name and address to print top-left.
7. Click Save.

Steps to print checks

1. Go to Checks and pick the account.
2. Click Print next to a check, or tick several outstanding checks and click Print checks. After you record a check, you can also click Print it now.
3. Check the number on the first blank check. Balancivo shows the number it expects. If the paper's number is different, type it in; Balancivo renumbers the checks in the register to match the paper before printing.
4. Click Print. In the print screen, choose Scale 100% (or Actual size), Margins None, and turn off headers and footers. Put check stock in the printer the way your printer's manual says.
5. Back in Balancivo, answer Did the checks print correctly? Click Yes, mark printed if they did. The next check number moves past the last one printed.

Good to know

• Mailing address: when you write a check, type the payee's address in Mailing address. It prints where a double-window envelope shows it, and it's filled in the next time you write a check to the same payee.
• Stubs: both stubs show the payee, check number, date, amount, memo and category (each part, for a split check). Give the top stub to the payee and keep the other.
• Check numbers: the register always uses the number printed on the paper. Write a check starts at the next number on the paper, and printing keeps it up to date. Change it any time in Check printing setup.
• Reprinting: a printed check shows Printed with the date, and its button says Reprint. A reprint goes on a new blank check with a new number, so Balancivo asks for that number and renumbers the check. Destroy the first paper check so two can't be cashed.
• Only outstanding checks print. Printing doesn't change your books; recording the check did.
• The amount is printed in words and numbers with stars, so nothing can be added in front.
• Printing is part of the check register, a Plus plan feature.