What to Do When You Run Out of Checks and a Payment Is Due
Disclosure: This article was published as part of a paid partnership with OnlineCheckWriter.com, a Zil Money platform. The author is an independent contributor.
If you are wondering what to do when you run out of checks, start with the payment deadline and what the recipient will accept.
Running out of a physical checkbook does not always mean the payment has to wait for a replacement order.
A business may have several options, including another payment method, temporary checks from the bank, on-demand check printing, or an electronically delivered printable check.
The right backup depends on the recipient and the urgency.
First Ask Whether a Check Is Actually Required
Before rebuilding the check process, contact the recipint.
A vendor that normally receives checks may be willing to accept ACH or wire for an urgent payment.
If the recipient is willing to provide the information required for another payment rail, that can remove the checkbook problem entirely.
Do not assume that “we normally pay by check” means “the vendor accepts only checks.”
The business should still compare fees, timing, and recipient requirements before changing the payment method.
Ask the Bank About Temporary Checks
If the recipient requires a physical check, the bank may have a short-term option.
Chase currently explains that banks may be able to issue temporary checks while customers wait for newly ordered checks.
These are commonly called counter checks.
Their availability, format, quantity, and fees vary between financial institutions.
Contact the bank directly before making a trip to the branch.
Print a Check on Demand
Another option is to create and print the check instead of ordering another pre-printed checkbook.
OnlineCheckWriter.com provides an on-demand workflow where an authorized user can enter the payee and amount, select the appropriate bank account, review the check, and print it on compatible stock.
This can be useful for businesses that already maintain a suitable check-printing setup.
It can also reduce dependence on separate pre-printed check supplies for every bank account.
Get the MICR Line Right
If you are printing the check yourself, understand how the MICR line will be produced.
The Federal Reserve says the MICR line contains information such as the bank routing number, account number, and check serial number.
When the payer prints that line, the Federal Reserve says it should be printed using magnetic ink.
If the MICR line is already pre-printed on the check stock, the remaining information can use regular ink.
This is one reason businesses should not treat check printing as simply printing a normal PDF on any available paper.
Consider Electronic Check Delivery
If the recipient wants a check but postal delivery is the main problem, OnlineCheckWriter.com’s eCheck workflow may be another option.
In OnlineCheckWriter.com terminology, an eCheck is a printable check sent electronically to the payee.
The recipient can print it and follow the check-deposit process accepted by the financial institution.
It is separate from ACH.
Receiving the document electronically also does not mean the funds have already cleared.
Do Not Let Urgency Create a Payment Mistake
Running out of checks can create pressure to solve the problem quickly.
Still verify the funding account, routing number, account number, payee, amount, check number, and delivery information.
If the company has an approval process, keep it.
A rushed duplicate payment or wrong-account check creates a bigger problem than waiting a few extra minutes to verify the transaction.
Build a Backup Before It Happens Again
Once the urgent payment is handled, decide how the business will respond next time.
That might mean keeping appropriate blank check stock available, knowing how to request bank counter checks, setting up an on-demand check-printing platform, or establishing approved ACH and wire alternatives for recurring vendors.
The best answer to what to do when you run out of checks is not simply “order more.”
It is to choose the payment method that meets the deadline and recipient requirement while keeping bank information, authorization, printing requirements, and payment records under control.
OnlineCheckWriter.com – powered by Zil Money, is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking and money movement services are provided through partner financial institutions and licensed service providers. FDIC insurance coverage applies only to eligible deposit products and accounts, and is subject to applicable terms, conditions, limitations, and requirements. Additional information regarding partner institutions, products, and services is available in the applicable terms and agreements.