It’s no secret that online shopping and automated payment systems are changing the world as we know it. Just last year, nearly $2 trillion were funded through online payment systems, and over $801 million were disbursed in check payments. As many businesses march on into the future of digital transactions, others are too cautious to put down their check-signing pens.
But what happens when the domains of online payment processing and paper printing collide?
Welcome to the world of electronic check printing services. Whether you’re looking to print checks at home or are seeking check printing services, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Prioritize security
Between the payer, payee and bank of choice, a lot of sensitive information is disclosed in the printing of a single check. Whether you are a payroll representative in a corporation, or a sole trader working with a small team, protecting your data is crucial to the success of your financial operations.
As technology advances, anti-theft and fraud-protection services are becoming seamlessly integrated into even the most basic transactional processes. To ensure your checks are fit to meet these standards, and to avoid lengthy delays at the bank, you’re going to want to have your basics covered:
- Locate security-conscious paper: Find the most cost-effective printing paper, without taking unnecessary risks. Be sure to look out for the Check Payment Systems Association (CPSA) padlock icon, which indicates that a printing service has incorporated a qualifying level of security clearance into their features. Another way to ensure safe-printing standards is to opt for quality-assured paper, which meets the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Check 21 standards – put in place to assist in the facilitation of electronic check processing by banks.
- Choose magnetic ink: If you’re looking to speed up your payment process, it’s crucial to choose a source of magnetic ink, in line with the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) system used in the banking industry. Once your checks are printed on your new, fraud-protected paper, place them in an envelope fitted with a layer of protective black tinting, to guard sensitive details from being read through the packaging.
- Set up your software: Every account manager needs their own software toolkit. To ensure your checks are balanced, and your desk is clutter-free, it’s important to find the right payroll management software to arrange your “incomings” and “outgoings.” You will be rewarded for your record-keeping efforts, with the ease of accessing a system that catalogues the checks you are producing, should an error need to be investigated.
Customize your enterprise
Once you have the materials needed to ensure the security of your checks, it’s time to explore your creative side. One of the benefits of printing your own checks is the added capacity for customization. Whether you want your brand colors represented, or your logo prominently featured, you can alter your electronic check template to make a bolder statement to your clients.
For those looking for a minor update, you can simply use your software to pre-print payee information on your checks. For regular clients, you could even add your company slogan, or a short message, for a simple touch of personalization that will make receiving their check a more unique experience each month.
When in doubt: outsource it
So, if you’re sitting here thinking, “That’s a lot to remember!” – you’re definitely not alone. Even banks themselves enlist the assistance of professional printing agencies for their daily check-handling duties. Sometimes, it really is easier – and even, more effective – to place your trust in a respected company.
Finding the right quality and security-focused check printing service could be the value-add you need to boost your payroll system’s efficiency and security – transforming tired hands, into timeless savings, all year round.