Accounting Check Printing

MacNail Accounting software versions 3.3 and greater allow you to print checks directly from a Checkbook Ledger or from a Payroll Report. It puts all available information into a worksheet that you can use with pre-printed check blanks from a number of companies.

These instructions will help you to use the new check printing commands.

NOTE-- In 2000, we replaced MacNail with Goldenseal construction accounting software. Goldenseal is an integrated program that includes general accounting, job costing, payroll and project billing, plus estimating and other features. It also includes check printing features. We still include these instructions on our website, for die-hard users of our original MacNail Accounting software.

Choose a Printer

The check printing commands in the MacNail accounting software will work on just about any kind of printer.

However, we strongly recommend that you use a "plain paper" printer such as a laser or ink-jet printer. "Tractor feed" printers are too likely to mis-align and botch up those expensive pre-printed forms, and the trouble of loading small quantities of checks is usually greater than the effort it takes to write them by hand!

The best quality of check printing will come from a laser printer such as the Apple Personal LaserWriter LS. Laser printers can print on normal xerographic paper, or on regular 8 1/2 x 11 forms. Many laser printers are currently available in the $1000 to $3000 price range. Laser printing is sharp, permanent, and quick, and we recommend it if you have the money!

The next best print quality comes from an ink jet printer such as the Apple StyleWriter or the HP DeskWriter. If printed on the right paper, image quality is nearly as good as a laser printer, and it's possible to print directly on regular 8 1/2 x 11 forms. However, the ink is more likely to smear, and output will be slower than with a laser printer. Ink jet printers are currently in the $500 to $700 price range.

It is also possible to print checks with a dot-matrix printer such as the Apple Imagewriter, although you'll have better luck with a laser or ink jet printer. A dot-matrix printer will require special tractor-feed forms, and it's much likelier that you'll have to re-print some checks because of mis-alignment or jamming. Since it's more difficult to change tractor-feed paper, you'll probably want to set up your dot-matrix printer so it only prints checks. Prices are currently in the $300 to $500 range.

We do not recommend check-printing with a daisy wheel printer. Since daisy wheel printers have only one font size, it is extremely difficult to get acceptable output on pre-printed forms.