Check Printing & Pay-by-Check

Print checks directly onto pre-printed check stock with your uploaded signature, and pay vendor bills through the integrated check writer.

Uploading Your Signature

Before printing checks, upload a digital image of your signature. This image will be placed on every printed check so you do not need to sign each one by hand.

Go to Settings from the sidebar
Use the Jump to dropdown and select Check Printing
In the Signature Image section, click Upload Signature
Select a PNG, JPG, or WebP file from your computer (max 2 MB)
A preview appears once the upload completes
Click Save Settings to store the signature

Tip: A PNG image with a transparent background produces the best results. Sign on white paper, photograph or scan it, then remove the background using any free online tool.

To remove a previously uploaded signature, click Remove next to the preview. You can also uncheck Print signature image on checks to temporarily disable the signature without deleting it.

Choosing Your Check Layout

Pre-printed check stock typically comes in sheets of three checks per page. Select where the check sits on the page so Kantivo places the printed data in the correct vertical region.

Layout	Description
Top	The check occupies the upper third of the page. This is the most common layout for business checks.
Middle	The check sits in the center of the page.
Bottom	The check is on the lower third of the page.

Select the option that matches your check stock, then save.

Adjusting Field Positions

Kantivo ships with default coordinates that work for most standard US business checks. If your check stock has a slightly different layout, you can adjust the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) offset for each field, measured in inches from the top-left corner of the check.

The six configurable fields are:

Date — the check date
Payee (Pay to) — the recipient name
Amount ($) — the numeric dollar amount
Amount in Words — the written-out amount
Memo — optional memo line
Signature — your uploaded signature image (also has a width setting)

Change the X and Y values, then click Save Settings. Use Reset to Defaults to return all fields to their original positions.

Printing an Alignment Test Page

Before printing on actual check stock, run an alignment test on plain paper.

Configure your layout and field positions
Click Print Alignment Test Page
A page opens showing red crosshairs at each field position with labels
Print the page and hold it against your pre-printed check stock
Adjust any X/Y values that do not line up, then reprint the test

Tip: Most printers introduce a small margin. If all fields are shifted by the same amount, adjust the Y value of every field equally rather than changing each one individually.

Printing a Check

Once your settings are configured, printing a check takes only a few steps.

Open the Write Check modal (from Quick Actions or the Banking section)
Fill in the date, payee, amount, bank account, expense account, and memo
Click Print on Pre-Printed Check
A print-ready window opens showing only the data fields positioned on a blank page
Load your pre-printed check paper into the printer and print

The printed output contains no borders, no background, and no decorative elements — only the variable data that belongs on the check.

Paying a Bill by Check

When settling a vendor bill by check, Kantivo integrates the bill payment and check writing into a single workflow.

Open a vendor and click Record Bill Payment
Select the bill(s) to pay and enter the payment amount
Choose Check as the payment method
A prompt appears — click Write Check for This Bill
The Write Check modal opens with the vendor name, amount, date, and bank account already filled in
Enter the check number and print or save the check
Kantivo automatically records the bill payment and marks the bill as paid

Frequently Asked Questions

What check stock works with Kantivo?

Any standard US 3-per-page business check stock (8.5 x 11 inches). The top/middle/bottom layout setting accommodates the three common positions.

Can I print without a signature?

Yes. Uncheck Print signature image on checks in the Check Printing settings, or simply do not upload a signature. The signature area will be left blank for hand-signing.

Does this create a transaction?

Printing alone does not create a transaction. You must also click Save Check to record the double-entry journal entry. If you print and save, both the printed check and the accounting record are created.

Pop-up blocked — what do I do?

The print preview opens in a new browser window. If your browser blocks it, allow pop-ups for the Kantivo application and try again.