If you’ve heard about private order checks and are riding the fence on whether to go this route or not, listen up. There are three great reasons why you should consider ordering checks online rather than going through your bank.

As long as you take the time to find a reputable printer, you’re going to find the experience is smoother than ordering from a bank. Security and peace of mind do go along with this proposition.

So, why should you take the plunge and get your personal checks from an online printer instead of a bank? Here are three reasons that are worth taking notice of:

More convenience – Let’s face it, who really has the time to run to the bank? If you don’t, going with a private printer can be your best move. Online companies never technically close. This means you can place your order online at any time of the day or night. There’s no reason to drive to a bank. Plus, you can even place orders from work, home or on the road if you have Internet access.

Better selection – The selection offered by private printers is simply impossible for banks to beat. When this avenue is explored, consumers are often floored by the selection. From different colors and themes to photo checks and beyond, personal checks are truly personal when this route is explored.

Better pricing – The costs on private order checks are not as high as some people think. In fact, when plain checks are ordered, the price is sometimes better than the bank’s. This is because service fees are not a part of the purchase. The advertised price is what you pay.

When it’s time to order checks, going it alone can pay off. When better pricing, selection and convenience are desired, this option is hard to beat.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Sure you can order bank checks and get the drafts you need to pay bills, but is this really the best option for you? If you want to express yourself with personal checks or have a need to brand a business, they just won’t hold up well. There are options that go well beyond the basic styles offered by banks.

When it’s time for something different, going to a private, online printer for checks makes a great deal of sense. When you do this, you will discover these reasons why bank checks are not always the best option:

Style selection – Private printers have the ability to offer their clients access to literally hundreds of different styles in checks. From unique colors to distinct themes, choice is the name of the game here. There’s no reason to go with plain and boring when choice is available.

Customization options – When private printers are used for check orders, it is possible to customize even basic orders a bit. Changing out fonts, colors and other small features can take ordinary checks and make them extraordinary.

Photo checks – These checks are the ultimate in customization. Photo checks rely on clients’ own pictures for their backgrounds. This option is excellent for businesses that are in the process of branding. It is also great for families that want to “brag” a little.

Convenience – Ordering checks online comes with a great deal of convenience attached. There’s no reason to run to a bank to place an order when an online printer can be accessed at any time.

Pricing – Believe it or not, private orders can be less expensive. Bank checks tend to come with fees attached. Private orders do not. While not every private order will cost less than bank checks, consumers are often shocked at the real pricing.

Bank checks will serve their purpose, but they can’t multitask. Private order checks can.

Popularity: 17% [?]

You’ve made up your mind you want something completely different in checks this time around, but now what? How can you make sure photo checks look as good at home and you think they do when ordering them online? It all starts with the photo you select.

To take the best possible shot for checks that use photos in the background, make sure to do these things:

Find a good printer first – Take the time to locate a printer that handles photo checks from the start. Look for a company that has a good reputation, offers excellent customer service and provides speedy and effective delivery. Now, check into the company’s requirements of photo checks. Chances are they have some suggestions on the types of shots and the size of files to use when placing orders.

Take the shot – Once you have the basic information down from the printer, it’s time to shoot your pictures for photo checks. If your image is going to be of an object or a person, try to set up the shoot to have a neutral background. Make sure the subject of the shot contrasts well with the selected background. Now, using a digital camera, get as close-in as possible and take shots in a variety of poses and from different angles. Keep going until you capture an image you’re in love with.

Place the order – Once you have the shot you want, it’s time to place the order. Follow all instructions closely. Do take advantage of any professional photo assistance provided. If proofs are offered, look at them carefully before putting the final order in.

Photo checks provide a unique way to showcase a business or show off a favorite person or activity. Take a little care in capturing the shot and you should have checks that will become conversation pieces.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Your best friend down the street came over and wrote you a check using the coolest bank drafts you’ve ever seen. You’re ready to enjoy the same kind of personalization when you order checks, but where do you start? To make certain the experience is a great one, it does pay to do a little bit of homework before diving into an online order. The reality is a little diligence is smart when ordering checks online.

So, what should you look for in a printer? How can you tell if a company is above board and will actually deliver personal checks that are spectacular in appearance?

There are a few things to pay attention to when ordering checks online. To make sure you’ve found an excellent printer look for these things on the company’s web site:

Contact information – If you want complete peace of mind, it’s a good idea to look for contact information on a check printer’s web site. If the company is completely above board, it will provide not only an e-mail address and telephone number, but also a physical address. This can help you vet the legitimacy of the company.

Customer service options – Companies that handle printing of personal checks should make their customer service departments readily available to clients. The ways to reach customer service should include phone, fax and even online conversations and messages.

Security – This is a huge issue no matter what you’re ordering. If you want a good experience, deal only with companies that provide you the best security for your orders. Secured sites, encryption and other features should be present. It should also be possible to order checks via fax or regular mail if this is desired.

Getting personal checks that stand out as unique isn’t difficult. To make sure the process flows smoothly, however, it is wise to check out a company before placing an order.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Banks call them personal checks, but are they really? If your checks look like every other customer’s and they lack any sense of style, they probably aren’t all that personal. There is a way to remedy this once and for all. Going to a private printer can pay off with the results you want.

So, what should checks really look like to be called personal? The fact of the matter is they can take on just about any appearance you want them to. The best private, online printers of checks offer their clients these features to put unique flair into personal checks:

Color selection – It’s really true – checks don’t have to be blue, green or gray to function as they’re supposed to. When you go through a private printer, you can have your choice of color for the paper in many cases.

Font selection – If you want a special font for the wording on your checks, you can have that too. Private printers offer their clients the ability to pick and choose their typefaces. This can help tie the style of checks together.

Theme choice – Checks really do come with themes on them if consumers want. Private order companies offer just about every theme under the sun. From sporting teams to favorite animals, the choice lies in customers’ hands.

Full personalization – Not happy with any of the pre-made checks out there? Starting from scratch can deliver the checks you want. Full personalization is available by taking advantage of photo checks. When customers do this, they can have any background image they want.

Personal checks really ought to be more personal. While banks might not see it this way, private printers do. When consumers look into place their orders outside of banks, they will find selection can go along with the purchase

Popularity: 15% [?]

If you’re ready to go it alone and order checks away from your banking institution, you will be surprised at how good a decision this really is. There are, however, some things about personal checks you need to know to make a good decision when ordering.

Not all private order companies are exactly alike. The best places to get alternatives to bank checks do stand out though. Look for these things to guide you in finding the right printer to handle your order:

Customer service – This is essential to ensure that your private order of personal checks is handled with care and that you are treated well in the process. If you’re ordering something as personal as photo checks, you will likely want topnotch customer service to make certain your order is processed with care. Look for printer web sites that provide plenty of contact information and multiple ways to interface with customer service.

Security – When you order checks online, security should be a concern. Look for sites that provide encryption. Companies that offer alternatives for ordering also tend to stand out.

Selection – When a company offers a wide selection of check designs to choose from, it’s a good sign that pleasing customers is a priority. In addition to selection, companies should also provide their clients with the ability to customize their checks even further. This might include font selection, color selection and even photo checks.

Pricing – Private order checks should be very competitive in pricing with bank checks. While some orders will cost more than banks charge, standard drafts should be on par.

When it’s time to order checks, going it alone can pay off with an excellent selection and some freedom of choice. Do take the time to look into the company you’ll be dealing with to ensure reputation and quality.

Popularity: 16% [?]

When it’s time to order checks to replenish a stock, you have more options than you might think. If you’re tired of the same old, same old, you can get your personal checks from a private printer. Doing so can provide some benefits that you probably haven’t even considered.

Bank checks do serve the purpose, but they don’t always come with options, style and even convenience. The reasons to go out of the loop and order checks from a private source include:

Better pricing – Bank checks tend to come with fees attached. While private checks aren’t always cheaper, per se, they do come sans convenience fees. Plus, it is often possible to save money on checks when you go private order. Basic checks frequently cost less than those sold through banks.

More convenience – To order checks from a bank, you generally have to go there. This means taking off work during banking hours. When you order online, you can place your purchase in at any time of the day or night you want.

Greater selection – Private checks offer a much greater variety than standard bank checks. You can pick your theme, colors and even fonts. This is an excellent option for businesses that want to brand their checks along with everything else. It is also great for people who want to express themselves with their checks.

Total personalization – Private checks can come with complete personalization options. Photo checks, for example, let you select the look you want from the ground up. This is a great way to promote a business or even show off a child.

When you order checks from a private source, choice is an option that becomes available. You can choose to get checks that match your style. You can choose to save time and money. And, you choose to say no to extra fees and high pricing.

Popularity: 16% [?]

The holidays are just around the corner. This means the time for brainstorming great present ideas has arrived. If you’re looking for something unique and distinct to give the person with “everything,” why not pull on the heartstrings and give them photo checks to show off a little family pride?

Photo checks are nothing more than completely personalized bank checks. Unlike these personal checks, however, photo checks have a one-of-a-kind design. This is because they rely on your precious family pictures or other photographs for the design creation.

To get your special someone checks he or she will not forget, all you need to do is:

Find a good printer – When you want to order personalized checks, you need to find a private printer. Bank checks are simply limited in style by design. The best place to go to order checks that are personalized is online.

Select a photo or photos – Depending on the printer you select, you’ll be able to upload one or several photos for use in checks. Pick photographs that would be of interest to you or special to your recipient. A child or grandchild, for example, is a fantastic subject. Special places and activities, too, can work well for photo checks.

Pick out the other details – When photo checks are ordered, you can also personalize a few other things. Some of the decisions you’ll have to make include the actual color of the drafts and even the fonts used in the type.

Follow the ordering protocol – A good printer will be able to walk you through ordering checks in a simple fashion. Just follow the on-screen instructions. In some cases, a printer will provide proofs. Do take advantage of this to make sure your checks look just right.

Photo checks provide a great gift for a person who likes to show off family pride or personal interests. When a unique gift is wanted, you can order checks that will deliver.

Popularity: 17% [?]

When you stop at your bank to place an order, you generally ask to refill your personal checks. While this is what they are called, there typically isn’t anything personal about them. Bank checks are bank checks. They all look alike. The only things that separate one order from the next are the names and account numbers.

So, how can you actually get your hands on personal checks that are really personal? Going through a private printer can give you the results you want. When you “go rogue” and order checks the way you want them, you will be able to select such things as:

Your desired theme – Believe it or not, checks are not all white, gray or green. You can have theme backgrounds, different colors and even designs that reflect your style or interests. From cute animals to luscious landscapes, the options for checks are greater than a few boring colors.

Your desired typeface – When you order from a private printer, you can even select your own fonts. This means you can further reflect your own style. For example, if you want fancy, sophisticated checks, you can select a fancier typeface. Should you want whimsical checks, a looser, more playful font might appeal. You can have these choices when you order checks on your own.

A completely unique design – If nothing ready-made appeals, you can even make your own checks when you order from a private printer. Photo checks make this possible. This style of checks calls for the use of your own photo or photos for use in the background. From business logos to baby pictures, the choice is yours.

Personal checks from banks are anything but personal. When it’s time to break out of the mold, don’t settle for what is served up. Going to a private printer can give you the style you want at a price you can afford.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Many people understand that ordering checks online can save them time and money. They shy away from the notion, however, out of fear of ordering something as personal as bank checks from an unknown source. There are ways to ensure a safe purchase that delivers exactly what a consumer wants.

So, how can you order checks without worry in the online arena? Make sure you do these things before hitting the buy button:

Vet a company’s reputation – Anytime you buy something online, it’s a good idea to check into a company’s background before making the final purchase. To do this, look for customer reviews, check for recommendations and so on.

Look into customer service offered – Customer service provided (or not) can tell you a lot about any company you’re considering doing business with. When it’s time to order checks, look for online printers that offer multiple ways to make a purchase. If they accept orders in alternative ways, you’re on the right track. Also check for telephone numbers to contact customer service and even a physical address.

Security – Be certain a web site offers security features built in. This is very important when ordering personal checks or anything for that matter. If you’ll be sharing checking account information or credit card numbers, it’s just smart to be certain security is in place.

Your order – To be certain an online buying experience is a good one, do your part, too. This means checking and double checking your order, making sure numbers are correct and so on. The extra minute this takes can help you avoid errors in printing and can ensure your personal checks arrive correctly printed.

When it’s time to order checks, going online can save time and money. To be certain you’re getting a good deal, take the time to check out the printer, look for security features and double check your order. A few extra minutes can help you be certain of a good experience and take the fear out of ordering.

Popularity: 15% [?]