# How to Setup Print Settings for Checks in QuickBooks Online?
Printing checks should be simple, accurate, and stress-free. Yet many businesses lose time and money to misaligned text, wasted check stock, or paychecks printed in the wrong order. The good news? QuickBooks makes it easy to configure your printer, align your checks, and fix common printing issues once you know where to look.

This complete guide walks you through setting up check printing in QuickBooks Online, fixing alignment for preprinted checks and payroll, and correcting page order in QuickBooks Desktop. Follow these steps and you’ll get clean, professional checks every time.

## Why Proper Check Printing Setup Matters?

Checks are legal documents. Even a small alignment error can cause problems such as:

* Payee names or amounts printing outside the designated fields
* MICR lines or signatures appearing in the wrong place
* Wasted check stock and reprint costs
* Delays in vendor or employee payments

By taking a few minutes to align your printer settings, you ensure your checks print exactly where they should—on the first try.

## What You’ll Need Before You Start?

To get the best results, make sure you have the following ready:

* The latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your computer
* Adobe Reader set as your default PDF viewer in your browser
* Plain paper for test prints (so you don’t waste real checks)
* QuickBooks-compatible check stock (either your own or Intuit-approved checks)

Once these basics are in place, you’re ready to configure your print settings.


## How to Set Up and Align Checks in QuickBooks Online?

Before you print real checks, always run a test alignment. This lets you fine-tune placement and avoid costly mistakes.

### Step-by-Step: Aligning Your Checks

1. Sign in to **QuickBooks Online**.
2. Go to **All apps**, then open **Expenses & Bills**, and choose **Expense transactions**.
3. Select **Print checks**.
4. Click **Print setup** to open the **alignment wizard**.
5. Choose the type of check you use **Standard or Voucher**.
6. Select **View** preview and print sample, then click **Print**.
7. Place the printed sample over a blank check and hold both up to the light. This helps you see whether the text lines up correctly.
8. If the alignment is off, choose No, continue setup (you may need to click it twice).
9. Use the on-screen grid to drag and adjust the layout until it matches your check.
10. Print another sample and compare again.
11. Repeat the process until everything lines up perfectly.
12. When you’re satisfied, click **Finish setup**.

**Pro Tip:** Always test on plain paper first. Once the sample matches your check stock, you can confidently print real checks without wasting any.

## Troubleshooting Check Printing Alignment Issues

Sometimes alignment problems come from printer or PDF settings rather than QuickBooks itself. If your sample still doesn’t line up, try these fixes:

### Adjust the Print Scale in Adobe Acrobat

1. Open the **sample PDF** in **Adobe Reader**.
2. Go to the **Print settings**.
3. Make sure the scale is set to **Actual Size or 100%**.
4. Turn off options like Fit to Page or Shrink to Printable Area, which can distort alignment.

### Check Your Printer Settings

Different printers (such as Brother or Canon models) have their own scaling and margin options. Look for:

* Page scaling or size settings
* Margin adjustments
* Paper size (make sure it matches your check stock)

If needed, consult your printer’s manual to find the exact menu where these options live.

## Printing Checks in Batches or One at a Time

Once your setup is complete, QuickBooks Online lets you:

* Print a single check for a quick payment
* Add multiple checks to a print queue and print them in one batch

This saves time and keeps your payment process organized, especially during busy weeks.

## How to Fix Paycheck Alignment in QuickBooks Online Payroll?

If you use QuickBooks-compatible checks for payroll, correct alignment is just as important. A misaligned paycheck can confuse employees and cause delays.

### Step-by-Step: Aligning Payroll Checks

1. Go to **Settings (the gear icon)** in QuickBooks Online.
2. Select **Payroll Settings**.
3. In the **Printing** section, click **Edit**.
4. Choose **Paycheck** on QuickBooks-compatible check paper.
5. Select either:
* Print paycheck and 1 pay stub, or
* Print paycheck and 2 pay stubs.
6. Click **Align check**, then choose **Print alignment form**.
7. Print the sample form and follow the **on-screen instructions**.
8. Enter the letter and number combination that best matches your alignment.
9. Click **Save**, then **Done**.

Now try printing a real paycheck. If it still needs adjustment, repeat the steps until it’s perfect.

## How to Fine-Tune Payroll Check Alignment?

QuickBooks uses a letter and number system to control alignment. Think of it like coordinates on a grid.

Let’s say your current setting is K5:

* If the text prints too low, choose a letter before K (A to J) to move it up.
* If the text prints too high, choose a letter after K (L to X) to move it down.
* If the text prints too far right, choose a number lower than 5 (0 to 4) to move it left.
* If the text prints too far left, choose a number higher than 5 (6 to 9) to move it right.

Make small changes, print a new sample, and adjust again if needed. This method gives you precise control over placement.

## Fixing Check or Paycheck Order in QuickBooks Desktop

Sometimes the issue isn’t alignment—it’s print order. If your checks or paychecks come out in the wrong sequence, QuickBooks Desktop lets you fix that quickly.

### Step-by-Step: Correcting Page Order

1. Open **QuickBooks Desktop**.
2. Go to **File**, then select **Printer Setup**.
3. In the **Form Name** dropdown, choose **Check/Paycheck**.
4. Click **Options**.
5. In the **Page Order** dropdown, select either:
* Front to back, or
* Back to front (depending on how your printer feeds paper).
6. Click **OK**, then **OK** again to save.

The next time you print, your checks should come out in the correct order.

**Note:** The exact location of the page order setting can vary by printer model. If you can’t find it, check your printer’s manual or contact the manufacturer for help.

## Best Practices for Flawless Check Printing

To avoid future issues, keep these tips in mind:

* Always test print on plain paper after changing printers or settings
* Keep your printer drivers up to date
* Store check stock properly to avoid paper feed issues
* Recheck alignment after software updates or printer changes
* Use QuickBooks-compatible checks for the most reliable results

## Final Thoughts

Setting up check printing in QuickBooks Online or Desktop doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right alignment process, proper printer settings, and a few test prints, you can produce professional, accurate checks every time—whether you’re paying vendors or running payroll.

Take a few minutes to follow the steps in this guide, and you’ll save hours of frustration, reduce wasted supplies, and keep your payments running smoothly. Clean checks, happy recipients, and a stress-free workflow—that’s the goal.

## Frequently Asked Questions
### Q. Why aren’t my checks printing properly in QuickBooks?

Follow these steps to fix incorrect check printing:

1. Open **QuickBooks** and go to **File > Printer Setup (Desktop) or Print Setup (Online)**.
2. Select **Check/Paycheck** as the form type.
3. Click **Align or Print Setup** and print a sample on plain paper.
4. Place the sample over a real check and hold it up to the light.
5. If the text doesn’t line up, adjust the alignment settings.
6. Print another sample and repeat until the alignment is correct.
7. Save the **settings** and print your actual checks.

### Q. How can I fix the check print alignment in QuickBooks Desktop?

Use these steps to correct alignment in QuickBooks Desktop:

1. Open **QuickBooks Desktop**.
2. Click **File > Printer Setup**.
3. From the **Form Name** dropdown, select **Check/Paycheck**.
4. Choose your check type (Standard or Voucher).
5. Click **Align or Options** (depending on your version).
6. Print a sample check on **plain paper**.
7. Compare it with your real check and adjust the alignment.
8. Repeat the process until everything lines up correctly.
9. Click **OK** to save your changes.

### Q. How do I set up or change the voucher check layout in QuickBooks?

Follow these steps to set up or change the voucher check layout:

1. Open **QuickBooks** and go to **File > Printer Setup**.
2. Select **Check/Paycheck** from the **Form Name** list.
3. Choose **Voucher Check** as the check type.
4. Click **Print Setup or Options**.
5. Preview the layout and print a sample on plain paper.
6. Check the alignment against your check stock.
7. Adjust the layout or alignment if needed.
8. Save the **settings** and print your voucher checks.

### Q. How can I resolve PDF and printing issues in QuickBooks Desktop?

Try these steps to fix PDF and printing problems:

1. Close **QuickBooks Desktop**.
2. Download and open the **QuickBooks Tool Hub**.
3. Go to **Program Problems** or **Printer & PDF Issues**.
4. Run the **QuickBooks Print & PDF Repair Tool**.
5. Restart your computer after the tool finishes.
6. Open **QuickBooks** and try printing or saving as PDF again.
7. If the issue continues, update your printer drivers and Adobe Reader.

### Q. How do I fix the missing PDF component error in QuickBooks?

Follow these steps to fix the missing PDF component error:

1. Close **QuickBooks Desktop**.
2. Open the **QuickBooks Tool Hub**.
3. Select **Program Problems** or **Printer & PDF Issues**.
4. Click **QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool** and let it run.
5. Restart your computer once the repair is complete.
6. Open **QuickBooks** and try to print or save as PDF again.
7. If the error still appears, repair or reinstall QuickBooks Desktop.