Printing Checks: misalignment due to new check design

[cycle47]

Hi all ....

The recent re-order of blank checks I received from ASAPCHECKS.com has a different design from past checks that are designed for printing from QB.

The overall physical size of each check blank is the same, but the colored area is smaller. The bank routing number is in the same location but there is more white space above it.

When I print checks on this new stock, the "memo" field prints below the colored area of the check.

I'm using large checks, 3 per letter-sized page, that print no stub.

Is there a way to move the "memo" field up to the appropriate area without moving everything else ?

Have blank check designs been changed ?

I thought maybe it's something the banks require now.

I'm using QB2003 with Windows XP SP2.

best regards,
Ed
Louisville KY

[Joe Williams]

No, QuickBooks prints the fields with afixed format. You can moce ALL of the print Up-Down Right-Left but not just part of it.

[Joey]

There was some kind of banking rule that passed a couple of years ago that said that all the print on checks had to be above that area where the scanned account info was located on the check. It actually gave a certain measurment that I have forgotten.
I know that the program adjusted to account for that. But all checks that are guaranteed to be compatible with QuickBooks will print correctly if the program is setup correctly and you have the correct printer drivers on the computer.
Be sure that your new checks are guaranteed QuickBooks compatible.

[cycle47]

Thanks for your replies.

I just read the paperwork that ASAPCHECKS.COM included with the recent supply of QB-compatible checks they sent me.

An attached note reads :

Our new check paper is Check 21 compliant. This new legislation means that the encoded portion on the bottom of checks must be white and free from any printing other than the special encoding. We cannot change this requirement. This change means some Intuit Quicken/Quickbooks user will find the Memo line when printed is now too low. We have submitted a request to Intuit suggesting that they provide software updates to their users allowing the user to adjust the Memo line, however we have no estimate as to if/when they will be able to do this.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

-------------------------------------

My experience with ASAPCHECKS.COM has been that they provide good service and low prices, and the check stock looks very good.

Up to now, the printing onto the checks has been OK.

Just this past weekend I let QB download and install the latest updates from Intuit.

No change in the printing resulted.

Does anyone have any ideas ?

This difficulty ( and others ) with Quickbooks is really making me want to take a new look at other accounting software.

thanks again,
Ed

[Johnn]

Cycle47

I lost my first post trying to upload a pic of check. Will try again and hope the pic comes across.

On 7/2/04 I bought 500 checks from ASAP for 64.35. On 9/27/05 I bought 500 checks from WalMart for 47.48. WalMart was better quality and the signature line was in the correct place. ASAP sig line was 1/4" above routing number creating a problem with a signature that would be partially under the line.

The new regs are that the routing number be in all white space. You say there is much white space above the routing number on the ASAP checks. This is not necessary because the regs say it only be in all white space. If as you say there is much white space above routing number I would say it is ASAP design error.

If the pic does come thru you will see on this sample check I downloaded shows routing in sufficient white space only.

john

[cycle47]

John,

Thanks for posting this.

I looked at the check image you posted and I can see that the ASAP checks have a lot more white space above the bank numbers.

It does look like an ASAP error.

I will see if they will make it right.

thanks,
Ed

[cycle47]

To all .....

The owner of ASAPCHECKS.COM (Les) called me on the phone in response to my emails to them.

Les mentioned that the Check 21 requirement is that there is 5/8 inch of white space up from the bottom edge, and that he believes the Wal-Mart check may not be in compliance.

He also mentioned that his company offers a new check design that tries to minimize the problem. It removes the dark-colored border from the bottom of the colored area of the check. The new design fades the check color to a lighter shade in the bottom area so that the memo field is at least legible, even if not ideally located.

Les offered to send me new checks to replace my recent order, at no charge. That offer includes both orders that I'd placed for 2 different companies. I took him up on this.

Les maintains that the problem lies with the QB software, and that he has contacted them about the issue.

I also called Intuit's free tech-support line. After a long conversation with the phone rep (who was really trying to help) I was informed that Intuit has NOT produced a software patch that would fix this problem in QB 2003 ... and that free support for QB 2003 had expired in April 06. When I mentioned that Check 21 regulations were in effect long before this expiration, the rep was unable to provide an acceptable answer. The rep repeated that support for QB2003 had ended.

From what I can tell, regarding this printing issue in QB 2003, there never was any support. For me this doesn't bode well for QB 2006 support.

The Intuit rep indicated that the best solution is to upgrade to QB 2006. For us right now, that's not an option. It is dawning on me that "selling software at every opportunity" may be the main purpose of their support line.

But enough of that ...

If anyone knows of a way to modify the Quickbooks Printer to move the Memo field, please let me know. I'm comfortable with modifying the Registry and other tweaks, if necessary.

thanks,
Ed
Louisville KY USA

[strands]

A work around I have used in the past when cheques didn't fit the standard print layout is to run a transaction report to get the data and drop it into Excel. Then set up an excel print to match the cheque.

Once set up it can be used over and over again

Vic

[cycle47]

Strands,

Thanks for this suggestion.

I received the new design checks from asapchecks.com and there is no lower border on the check design.

The check background fades to white near the bottom of the check.

QB 03's memo field prints in an area where it can be read easily, and still prints very close to the bank routing number.

I'll wait and see if my bank has a problem with that.

And I think I'll also see if Walmart or Sam's Club has checks that fade to white at the bottom like this.

And I'll also wait for Intuit to come up with a patch for QB03.
But I won't hold my breath ( or upgrade to QB2006 ) waiting for it to happen.

For me, it's kind of a tough sell to buy QB06 when I don't see a simple patch forthcoming for this QB03 check printing problem.

Ed
Louisville KY

[Joey]

Don't hold your breathe waiting for that patch for the 2003 version. It won't happen. They have patched all they will ever patch on that version.
As for the checks. I know that there are too many other 2003 users (millions ?)out there that are printing compatible checks with no banking problems for it to be a QuickBooks programming error.
I'm sure that the check company will keep insisting that it is a program error but it's odd that everyone elses' checks are printing just fine. When you get the cheapest, you get what you pay for.
As for the upgrade, that is entirely up to you and I would never do it for only the check printing problem. There are MANY more enhancements than that.
Anyway, your bank will probably be just fine with the new ones you have now.