Businesses processed 2.8 billion checks in 2025, with an average value of $2,900. For print resellers, this represents a recurring revenue opportunity many overlook because they assume checks are obsolete.
The reality: business checks create predictable reorders, premium margins, and sticky customer relationships. Print resellers don’t need check printing equipment to capture this market—just the right manufacturing partner.
Why Business Checks Create Recurring Revenue for Print Resellers
Once a business establishes a check supplier, they rarely switch. Several factors make check relationships exceptionally sticky:
Accounting software integration: Businesses configure their accounting systems (QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics) for specific check formats. Switching suppliers means reconfiguring software, employee retraining, and workflow disruption—friction most businesses avoid.
Security concerns: Businesses trust established check suppliers with their financial information and account details. Switching introduces fraud risk and security concerns they’d rather not face.
Predictable reorder patterns: Businesses order checks based on usage volume—monthly for high-volume users, quarterly for moderate users, semi-annually for occasional users. Once you’re the established supplier, reorders arrive automatically without active selling.
Premium margins: Security features and customization justify higher pricing than commodity printing. Businesses prioritize fraud prevention over price when selecting check suppliers.
Low competition: Many print resellers dismiss checks as outdated, creating opportunity for resellers who recognize ongoing demand and position checks as recurring revenue.
Multiple decision points: Large businesses may order checks for multiple departments, locations, or bank accounts, multiplying order frequency and revenue.
Three Types of Business Checks Print Resellers Can Sell
Most print resellers only consider blank check stock, but three distinct revenue opportunities exist at different price points and margin levels:
1. Blank Check Stock for Small Business Customers
Blank check stock with security features allows customers to print checks themselves using accounting software. This appeals to small businesses that write checks occasionally but need fraud protection.
Customer profile: Small businesses, sole proprietors, professional practices, nonprofits writing 50-200 checks monthly.
Product features: Pre-printed security features (microprinting, VOID pantographs, chemical-reactive indicators, UV fibers) but no customer-specific customization. Customers add account information, logos, and check details through their accounting software.
Pricing and margins: Lower margins than custom-printed checks but faster turnaround and minimal customization requirements. Stock product with predictable reorder cycles.
Reseller advantage: Quick fulfillment, low inventory investment, simple ordering process. Customers reorder regularly as they use checks without requiring custom artwork or setup.
Compatible accounting software: QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics, FreshBooks, Xero, and most business accounting platforms.
2. Custom-Printed Check Stock for Mid-Size Businesses
Pre-printed checks with customer logos, account information, bank routing numbers, check numbering, and security features. Print resellers order from trade-only manufacturers, then stock and ship directly to customers.
Customer profile: Mid-size businesses, established companies, professional services firms, healthcare practices writing 200-1,000 checks monthly.
Product features: Fully customized with company branding, pre-printed account information, sequential check numbering, enhanced security features, multiple check formats (business checks, voucher checks, payroll checks).
Pricing and margins: Higher margins than blank stock due to customization, setup, and enhanced security features. Premium pricing justified by convenience and professional appearance.
Reseller advantage: Stronger customer relationships through customization, higher margins per order, predictable reorder cycles based on usage volume. Customers less likely to switch due to setup investment.
Check formats available: Standard business checks (3-per-page), voucher checks (check with detachable stub), payroll checks (with earnings statements), wallet checks, continuous checks (for dot matrix printers).
3. High-Volume Custom Check Programs for Enterprise Customers
Fully customized check solutions for Fortune 1000 companies, large enterprises, government agencies, and organizations with complex requirements and regular high-volume reorders.
Customer profile: Large corporations, government agencies, major nonprofits, healthcare systems, universities writing 1,000+ checks monthly across multiple departments or locations.
Product features: Multiple custom formats, department-specific designs, location-specific account information, advanced security features, integration with enterprise accounting systems, warehousing and distribution services.
Pricing and margins: Premium pricing for complexity, volume, and service requirements. Long-term contracts with predictable revenue streams.
Reseller advantage: Extremely sticky relationships due to complexity and integration. Large, predictable reorder cycles. Long-term recurring revenue with minimal customer acquisition cost after initial sale.
Additional services: Inventory management, direct shipping to multiple locations, dedicated account support, custom security features beyond standard offerings.
Customer Industries to Target for Business Check Sales
Print resellers should prioritize industries where check usage remains strong and businesses value supplier relationships:
Construction and contractors: Target general contractors, subcontractors, specialty trades. They write checks for subcontractor payments, supplier invoices, permit fees. High transaction volumes with regular reorders.
Real estate and property management: Target real estate brokerages, property management companies, title companies. They need checks for earnest money, escrow transactions, commission payments, security deposits.
Healthcare practices: Target medical practices, dental offices, specialty practices. They write checks for insurance reimbursements, patient refunds, vendor payments, equipment purchases.
Professional services: Target law firms, accounting firms, consulting practices, engineering firms. They need checks for client refunds, retainer returns, expert witness fees, vendor payments.
Nonprofits and associations: Target charitable organizations, membership associations, foundations. They require checks for grant disbursements, donor refunds, event expenses, scholarship payments.
Small business sectors: Target established small businesses in any industry writing checks regularly—retailers, service providers, local manufacturers, distributors.
How Print Resellers Can Start Selling Business Checks Without Equipment
Print resellers don’t need check printing equipment or security certification to add checks to their product portfolio. Partner with a trade-only manufacturer specializing in check stock.
Step 1: Identify customers who write checks
Ask current customers in construction, real estate, healthcare, professional services, and small business sectors whether they write business checks regularly. Many businesses use checks without realizing their print supplier could provide them.
Step 2: Understand their check usage and needs
Determine whether customers print checks themselves (blank stock opportunity) or order pre-printed checks (custom stock opportunity). Ask how many checks they write monthly, which accounting software they use, and what security concerns they have.
Step 3: Offer security-enhanced solutions
Emphasize fraud protection features that justify premium pricing over commodity check stock. Educate customers about microprinting, VOID pantographs, chemical-reactive indicators, and UV-visible fibers that prevent check fraud.
Step 4: Position checks as recurring revenue
Frame check sales as predictable reorders, not one-time transactions. Help customers calculate their annual check needs and establish automatic reorder schedules based on usage patterns.
Step 5: Partner with trade-only manufacturers
Work with manufacturers like Wise that provide check stock, customization, security features, and fulfillment support without competing for your customers. Trade-only partnerships let you maintain customer relationships and margins while your manufacturing partner handles production.
Step 6: Leverage manufacturer resources
Use available resources—product samples, security feature documentation, compatibility guides, pricing tools—that help you position check solutions effectively without becoming a check expert yourself.
How to Price Business Checks for Profit
Check pricing depends on type, customization, security features, and quantity. Understanding pricing structure helps print resellers position checks appropriately:
Blank check stock pricing: Based on quantity, security features included, and paper quality. Lower per-unit cost than custom checks but also lower margins. Competitive with online check suppliers, so emphasize local service and immediate availability.
Custom-printed check pricing: Includes setup fees, customization, enhanced security features, and per-unit costs based on quantity. Higher margins justify investment in customer relationship and artwork setup.
Volume pricing tiers: Establish quantity breaks that encourage larger orders while maintaining margin goals. Businesses ordering higher volumes expect per-unit price reductions.
Security feature premiums: Enhanced security features (additional chemical-reactive indicators, custom security printing, special coatings) justify premium pricing above standard check stock.
Recurring order discounts: Consider slight discounts for customers establishing automatic reorder schedules, as predictable revenue and reduced acquisition costs offset margin reduction.
Common Questions Print Resellers Ask About Selling Business Checks
How do I price business checks competitively?
Security features, customization level, and quantity determine pricing. Blank stock carries lower margins but competes on service and availability. Custom-printed checks with security features command premium pricing justified by fraud prevention and professional appearance.
How often do customers reorder checks?
Reorder frequency depends on check usage volume. Small businesses might reorder quarterly or semi-annually. Mid-size businesses reorder monthly or bi-monthly. High-volume customers reorder monthly. All create predictable recurring revenue once relationships are established.
What accounting software works with business checks?
Most check formats work with QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics, FreshBooks, Xero, and other popular accounting software. Your manufacturing partner provides compatibility specifications to ensure checks work with customer systems.
Are there regulatory requirements for business checks I need to know?
While few federal requirements mandate specific check security features for most businesses, many industries have adopted best practices requiring fraud prevention measures. Financial institutions may have requirements for checks they process. Your trade-only manufacturing partner handles compliance and security specifications.
How do I compete with online check suppliers?
Emphasize local service, immediate availability, personal support, and customization capabilities that online suppliers can’t match. Position yourself as a trusted business partner who understands their needs, not just a check vendor.
What security features should I recommend to customers?
Recommend layered security: microprinting, VOID pantographs, chemical-reactive indicators, and UV-visible fibers as baseline protection. For high-value check writers, suggest enhanced features like TonerFuse coatings and heat-sensitive elements.
The Bottom Line for Print Resellers
Business checks represent recurring revenue with premium margins, sticky customer relationships, and lower competition than many print products. In 2025, businesses processed 2.8 billion checks worth $2,900 on average, demonstrating ongoing demand print resellers can capture.
Print resellers can enter this market by partnering with trade-only manufacturers, targeting industries that write checks regularly, and emphasizing security features that justify premium pricing over commodity check suppliers.
Three distinct opportunities exist: blank check stock for small businesses, custom-printed checks for mid-size businesses, and high-volume programs for enterprise customers. Each offers different margin profiles and customer relationships, allowing resellers to serve multiple market segments.
The question isn’t whether businesses still use checks—2.8 billion checks annually prove they do. The question is whether print resellers will capture this recurring revenue opportunity or leave it for competitors who recognize ongoing check demand.
Ready to add business checks to your product portfolio?
Learn why business checks are still big business for resellers and belong in your portfolio here.
To talk about the opportunities selling business checks and to develop a plan, contact your Wise Regional Sales Manager here.
Back to main checks page.
