Checks Unlimited: What It Is and Better Ways to Order Checks

What Checks Unlimited Is

Checks Unlimited is a direct-to-consumer check printing service that sells personal and business checks online and through print mail advertisements. It positions itself as a lower-cost direct mail check printer and alternative to ordering checks through a bank, offering a catalog of personal check designs ranging from simple color backgrounds to themed illustrated checks, alongside business check formats and accessories.

Searches for "Checks Unlimited" are often made by people who received a mail offer from the company, who are looking to reorder from a previous Checks Unlimited account, or who are comparing check ordering options and want to understand what Checks Unlimited actually offers before committing. This guide answers all three use cases with accurate, current information.

History and Ownership

Checks Unlimited was founded in the mid-1980s and claims to be the first major direct-mail check printer in the United States, meaning it pioneered the model of allowing consumers to order personal checks by mail rather than exclusively through their bank. It grew substantially over the following decades and now reports serving over 30 million customers.

Checks Unlimited is owned by Deluxe Corporation, one of the largest check printing companies in the United States. Deluxe Corporation also owns Designer Checks, which operates with nearly identical pricing and product structure to Checks Unlimited. Both brands are consumer-facing imprints of Deluxe's consumer check printing division. Deluxe Corporation is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Its revenue historically came predominantly from check printing, though the company has diversified significantly into financial technology services in recent years.

Being owned by Deluxe Corporation gives Checks Unlimited access to large-scale check printing infrastructure. Deluxe is a CPSA-certified manufacturer, which means its checks are produced on ABA-compliant security stock and meet the ABA compliant security standards required for acceptance at all US financial institutions. The Checks Unlimited brand sells Deluxe-produced checks under its own consumer-facing storefront and marketing operation.

Checks Unlimited is headquartered in Clarksdale, Mississippi, with operations coordinated through the broader Deluxe Corporation network.

Personal Checks Offered by Checks Unlimited

Checks Unlimited offers approximately 250 personal check designs across several categories. The categories include classic checks featuring simple color backgrounds and safety patterns, special edition checks featuring illustrated themes, and a range of coordinating accessories.

Personal checks are available in two physical formats:

• Personal top tear checks: The standard personal check format with a stub at the top that stays in the book after the check tears away. Available in both single (one-part) and duplicate formats. Each box contains 80 checks.
• Personal side tear checks: The check tears away from the right side rather than the bottom. The stub on the left stays in the book. Also available in single and duplicate formats at 80 checks per box.

Duplicate checks at Checks Unlimited use carbonless paper manufacturing where alternating sheets of carbonless check paper and lighter plain paper are bound together. Writing on the original check transfers through the carbonless paper to the plain sheet beneath, creating a permanent numbered carbon copy record. The carbonless paper automatically records the check number, date, payee, and amount without requiring any additional step from the writer.

Beyond the check designs and formats, Checks Unlimited also offers checkbook covers, personalized address labels, and check registers as accessories that can be added to a personal check order.

Business Checks Offered by Checks Unlimited

Checks Unlimited offers business checks in two main categories: standard manual checks and high-security checks. The distinction is primarily the security level built into the paper stock.

Manual checks are available in four styles: standard desk set, three-on-a-page accounts payable format, three-on-a-page payroll format, and voucher manual format. These are handwritten business checks with the company name and account information pre-printed at the factory.

High-security manual and computer check formats add a two-dimensional holographic foil security element above the baseline ABA security paper features. The computer check format is compatible with accounting software including QuickBooks, Quicken, and Peachtree (Sage 50).

The business check product line at Checks Unlimited allows some customization: font selection, design color choice, and the addition of a company logo are available on certain formats. Logo printing is an optional add-on rather than a standard included feature, which affects the total cost compared to manufacturers who include logo printing free on every order.

How Checks Unlimited Pricing Actually Works

Checks Unlimited's listed pricing for personal checks starts at approximately $22.44 for one box of 80 single checks and $28.44 for one box of 80 duplicate checks. These prices include a per-box handling fee that the company now folds into the listed price, though this was not always the case and earlier orders often showed the handling fee as a surprise addition at checkout.

The per-check cost at Checks Unlimited's standard pricing works out to approximately 28 cents per single check at one box. Ordering four boxes reduces the per-check cost significantly due to bulk discount volume tiers. A four-box order of single personal checks can reduce the cost to around 18 to 23 cents per check depending on the design and any active coupon code applied. Even with volume pricing, Checks Unlimited's per-check cost tends to run higher than direct in-house manufacturers for equivalent ABA-compliant product.

Business check pricing is substantially higher. A box of voucher-style laser computer business checks from Checks Unlimited lists at approximately $92.44 for one box. That does not include shipping or the $12.50 per-order handling fee on business check orders. A reviewer who documented the checkout process found the total cost of one box of business checks reaching approximately $124 by the time shipping and handling were added, with no extras selected.

Handling Fees and Pre-Selected Add-Ons

The total cost of an order from Checks Unlimited depends on whether you remove the pre-selected add-ons before completing checkout. This is the most frequent source of customer complaints about the company and the most important thing to know before placing an order.

For business check orders, a separate per-order check handling fee of $12.50 applies. This fee does not appear in the listed product price and is added at the checkout stage. On a single box of business checks priced at $92.44, the $12.50 handling fee adds roughly 14% to the base product cost before shipping is calculated.

SentryShield Pro, the company's check fraud and identity protection program, is pre-selected by default in the checkout cart at approximately $15.94 per year. Customers who do not want this service must actively remove it from the cart before completing the order. Clicking to remove it triggers a pop-up asking if you are sure you want to remove the protection, which some customers report feeling pressured by. If not actively removed, the SentryShield fee is added to the order total.

In-plant rush processing, which accelerates printing so checks are ready to ship within two business days, costs approximately $22.95 as an add-on for customers who need faster production. Standard processing timelines without this upgrade are longer than many competing direct manufacturers.

Tracking on shipping is not included in the free standard shipping option. Standard untrackable shipping offers no visibility into where the order is and carries a delivery window of up to 15 business days. Standard trackable shipping with order visibility starts at $9.95.

Coupon Codes and Promotional Offers

Checks Unlimited heavily uses promotional pricing, coupon codes, and tiered discounts as part of its marketing strategy. It sends promotional offers by mail to previous customers and current prospects, and coupon codes are available through various channels. Understanding how these offers work helps buyers evaluate whether the discount they see represents genuine savings.

The most common Checks Unlimited promotional structure offers a percentage discount, typically 35% to 50% off, when ordering a minimum of two to four boxes. The discount applies to the check product price. It generally does not apply to handling fees, shipping, or add-on services like SentryShield. A coupon that advertises "50% off" on a box of checks may reduce the check product price while leaving the per-order handling fee, shipping charges, and pre-selected add-ons unchanged, resulting in a total cost meaningfully higher than the headlined discount suggests.

First-time customer pricing is a separate offer that provides introductory-rate pricing on a first order. Once a customer has ordered once, they are moved to standard pricing for subsequent orders and become eligible for reorder-specific promotional codes instead. Buyers who have seen an especially low price in a first-time mail offer and are researching what repeat ordering costs should expect standard pricing, not the introductory rate, on reorders.

Reorder coupon codes are mailed to existing customers and can be entered online during the reorder process. These typically offer meaningful discounts on four-box orders but require the minimum quantity commitment to activate the full percentage off.

Shipping Options and Turnaround Times

Checks Unlimited offers four shipping and delivery options:

• Standard untrackable shipping: Free. Delivery window up to 15 business days. No tracking number provided. The slowest and least visible option.
• Standard trackable shipping: Starts at $9.95. Delivery typically 7 to 11 business days. Includes a tracking number so the order can be monitored in transit.
• Expedited shipping: Approximately $12.99. Delivery in approximately 2 business days from the ship date.
• Rush shipping: Approximately $19.99. Next business day delivery from the ship date.

The ship date depends on when in-plant processing completes. Standard processing can take several additional business days before the order is handed to the carrier. In-plant rush processing, available as a paid add-on at approximately $22.95, guarantees the order is ready to ship within 2 business days after verification.

For buyers who need checks in a reasonable timeframe without paying for multiple rush services, the standard untrackable free shipping option carries a real risk of a lengthy wait. Third-party review sites and customer accounts suggest actual delivery on the standard option can approach or exceed 15 business days in some cases, particularly during high-volume periods.

Security Features on Checks Unlimited Checks

Checks Unlimited checks, as products of Deluxe Corporation, are produced on ABA-compliant check security paper and carry the standard security features required for banking compatibility. These include chemically reactive paper that reacts to washing solvents used in check alteration attempts, genuine watermarks embedded in the paper fiber during manufacturing, microprinting along the signature line, heat-sensitive thermochromic ink that disappears when rubbed, void pantographs that reveal VOID when the check is photocopied, and UV-reactive fluorescent fibers.

The high-security check tier at Checks Unlimited adds two-dimensional holographic foil, a security feature that creates an additional visual verification element on the check face. The holographic foil is difficult to replicate without specialized equipment and provides a visible verification point that goes beyond standard ABA security paper features.

Standard Checks Unlimited personal checks do not include the holographic foil; they carry the baseline ABA security paper features. This is the same security level as most third-party personal check manufacturers who use ABA-compliant stock, including Checkomatic. The security difference between standard and high-security Checks Unlimited checks is the addition of the foil tier, not a difference between Checks Unlimited and competing ABA-compliant manufacturers at equivalent price points.

What SentryShield Actually Is

SentryShield appears pre-selected in the Checks Unlimited checkout cart and is one of the most discussed elements in customer reviews. Understanding what it covers, and what it does not cover, helps buyers make an informed decision about whether to keep or remove it.

SentryShield is a check fraud recovery and identity protection program, not a check security feature. It provides financial coverage for losses resulting from unauthorized check use and identity restoration services if a customer's identity is compromised. The program costs approximately $15.94 per year.

SentryShield does not add any security features to the checks themselves. The checks ship with whatever security paper they were ordered on regardless of whether SentryShield is active. The program covers what happens after a fraud event, not what prevents one. The ABA security paper features in the checks provide the prevention layer. SentryShield provides a recovery layer.

For buyers whose primary concern is check paper security, SentryShield is redundant with the protection already built into ABA-compliant check stock. For buyers who want financial coverage for any fraudulent check use, the program's terms and limitations should be reviewed carefully before the annual fee is accepted at checkout.

Similar programs are offered by multiple check manufacturers and under different names. EZShield is another common version offered through various check ordering channels. The principle is the same: a paid annual subscription for check fraud recovery coverage, pre-selected at checkout as a default, requiring active opt-out to remove.

What Customers Report About Checks Unlimited

Customer reviews of Checks Unlimited present a mixed picture that divides along two lines: customers who received their checks without incident and found the product acceptable, and customers who encountered customer service difficulties, billing problems, or checkout experience issues.

Positive reviews typically note that the checks arrived in reasonable time (for orders with trackable shipping), the print quality was acceptable, and the design selection met the buyer's expectations. Some long-term customers report consistent positive experiences over multiple reorder cycles.

Negative reviews, which make up a significant portion of third-party review site ratings including a Trustpilot rating that has hovered around 1.9 out of 5, cluster around several recurring themes. Multiple reviewers report not receiving their order and being unable to reach customer service to resolve it. Others describe being charged the full price despite entering a discount code, with no response to follow-up emails. Some report surprise handling fee additions that were not clearly disclosed during the ordering process. A recurring complaint involves the SentryShield subscription being included in the order total without the buyer realizing it was pre-selected.

The Better Business Bureau gives Checks Unlimited an A+ rating based on its responsiveness to formal complaints filed through the BBB platform, which differs from the general customer review picture on independent review sites. A+ BBB ratings reflect complaint resolution history rather than overall customer satisfaction scores.

The picture for business check customers is particularly concerning in third-party reviews. Multiple small business owners report long wait times, difficulty confirming order status on untrackable shipments, and challenges getting reimbursed for incorrect orders.

Checks Unlimited vs Ordering Direct From Checkomatic

Both Checks Unlimited and Checkomatic sell ABA-compliant checks accepted at all US banks. The differences lie in pricing transparency, turnaround, customization inclusions, and the manufacturer model.

Ownership and Manufacturing Model

Checks Unlimited is a branded consumer storefront owned by Deluxe Corporation. Deluxe fulfills the orders through its corporate printing infrastructure. Checkomatic is an independent in-house manufacturer based in Monroe, NY since 1997. That Monroe NY facility is where every Checkomatic check is produced. When you order from Checkomatic, your check goes from our production floor to your mailbox with no parent company intermediary, no subsidiary branding layer, and no fulfillment vendor in between. In-house manufacturing means direct accountability and consistent quality control on every batch.

Pricing Transparency

Checkomatic's pricing does not include hidden per-order handling fees. The price you see for a personal or business check order is the product price. There is no separate $12.50 handling fee added at checkout for business check orders. There are no pre-selected add-on programs requiring active opt-out. You decide what you want, add it to the order, and see the total. Our full guide to cheap checks online covers the per-check cost math in detail.

Logo Printing

Checkomatic includes free black and white logo printing on every personal and business check order with no setup fee and no add-on charge. Checks Unlimited offers logo printing as an optional paid feature on business check formats. For businesses that want their logo on their checks, the difference in total cost between the two options is meaningful across multiple reorder cycles.

Turnaround Time

Checkomatic's standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days from proof approval, with rush delivery available at checkout for faster shipping. Checks Unlimited's standard untrackable shipping option carries a delivery window of up to 15 business days. Buyers who choose Checks Unlimited's free shipping and do not add in-plant rush processing should expect a significantly longer wait than they would experience with a standard Checkomatic order.

Product Range

Checks Unlimited focuses primarily on personal check designs, with a business check offering that is narrower than its personal check catalog. Checkomatic offers the full range of check types a business or individual needs from one manufacturer: personal checkbooks, top stub checks, deskset checks, QuickBooks-compatible checks, computer business checks in all four layouts, manual business checks in all formats, blank check stock in all layouts including Z-fold pressure seal, and check accessories including deposit slips, check envelopes, 7-ring binders, and self-inking stamps.

What Checkomatic Offers Instead

Checkomatic's catalog covers every check format a personal or business account requires, all produced in-house and sold direct at manufacturing cost with no bank markup and no per-order handling fees.

Personal Checks

• Personal checkbooks: Multiple check colors including blue, burgundy, and green. Marble, safety, prismatic, and diamond check backgrounds. Single or duplicate format. Free logo printing. Deposit slips and check register included.
• Personal top stub checks: Spiral-bound with record stub above each check. Four style options.
• Personal deskset checks: Larger desk format with extended stub section.
• Secretary deskbook checks: Extended record format for high-frequency check writers.
• QuickBooks wallet checks: Personal checks formatted for QuickBooks personal check templates.

Business Checks

• Check on top, check in middle, check on bottom, and 3-on-a-page computer business checks for QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, and compatible platforms.
• Manual business checks: Accounts payable, payroll, multi-purpose, executive deskbook, pocket checks, and manual starter pack. All with free logo printing.
• QuickBooks checks (QuickBooks-compatible) in check-on-top, 3-on-a-page, and wallet formats with a QuickBooks starter pack available.

Blank Check Stock

• Blank check stock in top, middle, bottom, and 3-per-page formats. All ABA-compliant security paper for MICR printing.
• Z-fold pressure seal checks for self-sealing payroll and AP mailings without separate envelopes.

Check Accessories

• Business deposit slips pre-printed with your account information.
• Double-window check envelopes that display payee and return address automatically.
• 7-ring check binders for organized business check storage.
• Self-inking endorsement stamps: endorsement, signature, and address styles.

Why Choose Checkomatic

Checkomatic has manufactured checks in Monroe, NY since 1997. Every order ships on ABA-compliant security stock with all six standard fraud deterrent features included at no extra charge. There are no tiered security levels for personal checks: every personal check ships with the same full security paper baseline.

Free black and white logo printing is included on every order, personal or business, with no setup fee. Color logo printing is available for a small additional charge. No coupon code is required to access the base price, and no handling fee is added at checkout. The price shown is the price charged.

Every order includes a digital proof step before production begins. You verify your routing number, account number, name, address, logo, and check number sequence before any paper is printed. Standard orders ship 3 to 5 business days from proof approval, with rush delivery available for faster turnaround.

For businesses, the full manual and computer check range, blank stock, and accessories all ship from the same Monroe, NY manufacturer under one account. Check reorder is as simple as updating the starting check number and approving a new proof. No phone orders required, no separate business check service line to call.

Start your order at checkomatic.com. For more on the ordering process, see our how to order checks online guide. For the full picture on check security features, see our check stock paper guide and our check fraud prevention guide.

The Short Version on Checks Unlimited

Checks Unlimited is a Deluxe Corporation brand that has been selling direct-mail personal and business checks since the mid-1980s. Its checks are ABA-compliant and bank-accepted. Its personal check catalog of approximately 250 designs is narrower than many competitors. Its business check pricing, when totaled at checkout with handling fees, shipping, and pre-selected add-ons, runs significantly higher than the listed product price suggests.

Customer review sentiment on independent platforms including Trustpilot skews negative, with recurring complaints about customer service responsiveness, surprise charges, and delivery delays on the free standard untrackable shipping option. Positive reviews tend to come from customers whose orders arrived without issue and who found the design selection adequate for their needs.

For buyers seeking ABA-compliant checks at direct manufacturer pricing, free logo printing, a 3-to-5-day standard turnaround, and a complete range from personal checks through business checks and blank stock, Checkomatic offers all of these without the Checks Unlimited handling fees, pre-selected add-ons, or 15-business-day standard shipping window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Checks Unlimited?

Checks Unlimited is owned by Deluxe Corporation, one of the largest check printing companies in the United States. Deluxe Corporation is publicly traded and also owns Designer Checks, which operates with nearly identical pricing and product structure to Checks Unlimited. Both brands are consumer-facing imprints of Deluxe's check printing division. Checks Unlimited operates from Clarksdale, Mississippi, and the company has been in the direct-mail check business since the mid-1980s.

How much does a box of checks from Checks Unlimited actually cost?

Checks Unlimited lists personal single checks starting at approximately $22.44 for a box of 80 checks. At checkout, the total includes the handling fee that is now folded into the listed price for personal checks, plus shipping if you choose tracked delivery over the free standard untrackable option. For business checks, the listed price does not include the $12.50 per-order handling fee applied at checkout, and a box of computer business checks that lists at $92.44 can reach approximately $124 when handling and basic trackable shipping are added. Pre-selected add-ons like SentryShield increase the total further if not actively removed before checkout.

Are Checks Unlimited checks secure and bank-accepted?

Yes. Checks Unlimited checks are produced by Deluxe Corporation on ABA-compliant security stock and are accepted at all US banks and credit unions. The standard security paper includes chemically reactive paper, microprinting, heat-sensitive ink, watermarks, void pantographs, and UV-reactive fluorescent fibers. The high-security check tier adds two-dimensional holographic foil as an additional deterrent. Standard personal checks from Checks Unlimited carry the baseline ABA security features, which is the same level as any other CPSA-certified manufacturer's standard personal checks at equivalent price points.

What is SentryShield on Checks Unlimited orders?

SentryShield is a check fraud recovery and identity protection subscription pre-selected by default in the Checks Unlimited checkout cart at approximately $15.94 per year. It provides financial coverage for losses from unauthorized check use and identity theft restoration services, but it does not add any physical security features to the checks themselves. Customers who do not want the service must actively remove it from the cart before completing the order. Clicking to remove it triggers a pop-up prompt encouraging you to reconsider. The underlying check paper security features ship regardless of whether SentryShield is active.

What is the difference between ordering from Checks Unlimited vs Checkomatic?

Both companies sell ABA-compliant checks accepted at all US banks. The main practical differences are: Checkomatic has no per-order handling fees; free black and white logo printing is included on every Checkomatic order at no charge; Checkomatic's standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days vs up to 15 business days on Checks Unlimited's free standard shipping; and Checkomatic's checkout has no pre-selected add-on subscriptions requiring active opt-out. Checkomatic also offers a broader range of business check formats, blank check stock, and accessories from a single in-house manufacturer in Monroe, NY.