Ask around, and you’ll hear the same thing: Checks are outdated. However, the numbers tell a different story. In 2024, nearly 3 billion commercial checks were processed in the U.S. banking system. The average value per check was over $2,700. While volumes are lower than in previous years, checks remain an active part of the B2B payment ecosystem.
Checks work. In many industries, they’re still the preferred or only option for making certain payments. This post takes a closer look at what has changed in check printing since the digital revolution took hold, and, just as importantly, what hasn’t. If you’re in operations or finance, this will help you understand how check printing companies are modernizing the experience while keeping control, compliance, and reliability.
Why Paper Checks Are Still Showing Up for Work
Checks didn’t die. They just evolved quietly. Some industries never even tried to leave them behind. In construction, for example, 69% of businesses still use printed checks to pay vendors and subcontractors. Paper checks carry detailed records, are widely accepted, and avoid the merchant fees associated with card payments.
For companies managing dozens or thousands of external vendors, business check printing is often the simplest way to maintain control, especially when managing staggered payments, contract work, or reimbursements. Many vendors still require checks. Some require them, while others prefer them because they’re predictable, traceable, and easy to reconcile.
Check Printing: From Local Printers to Cloud-Based Portals
The technology behind check printing services has changed more than the checks themselves. A decade ago, it was normal to manually cut checks in-house or send a spreadsheet to a regional printer. Today, leading check printing companies offer secure, cloud-based platforms with real-time processing. You can upload a CSV, integrate your ERP system via API, and have checks printed and mailed out that same day. With cutoffs as late as 5:30 PM EST, you can route payments through USPS First-Class, Priority, or Express. You can even choose FedEx or UPS if timing is a concern.
What really stands out is the tracking. USPS’s Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) lets you follow a check from mail stream entry to final delivery. Your vendors can even preview incoming mail with Informed Delivery®, cutting down on “lost check” inquiries.
Security Is No Longer Optional
In 2024, 79% of U.S. organizations reported attempted payment fraud. Of those, 63% involved checks. This is where modern check printing solutions truly shine. Physical security has become a non-negotiable standard, especially when you’re mailing high-value disbursements.
A professionally printed check today might include:
- MICR ink compliant with ANSI standards (so it works with the banking system)
- Watermarks that can’t be duplicated with scanners
- Microprinting on signature lines or borders
- Toner anchorage to prevent alterations
- Thermochromic ink that changes with heat
- Chemical wash detection and UV fibers that respond to tampering
Then there’s the envelope: black security tint, optional logo, sealed and verified by automated insertion.
And on the bank’s side is Positive Pay. You send your issuing data, including check number, date, amount, and payee, to your bank in advance. If anything doesn’t match, it doesn’t clear. Some providers even automate this step, sending files on your behalf or making them easy to download post-print. If you’re issuing checks without these safeguards, you’re risking exposure. And fraudsters know it.
Fast, Yes, But Still Fully Compliant
Regulations haven’t disappeared just because tech has improved. Check 21 and Regulation CC are still in effect, defining how financial institutions handle image-based processing and funds availability. What that means in practice is that banks can clear checks faster, but that doesn’t mean all risk is gone. Businesses should still exercise caution, especially when dealing with new payees or unusually large checks.
That’s where online check printing providers offer real advantages. You get automation and speed, yes, but you also keep complete control. You know, when checks go out, you can review them before they’re printed, and you get digital copies of every item issued, which makes reconciliation a lot simpler. The better services let you set approval tiers, too, so no one in your organization can cut a six-figure check without passing through an extra set of eyes.
Checks in the Age of ACH, RTP, and FedNow
Electronic payments are gaining ground. ACH volumes reached 33.6 billion transactions in 2024, with Same Day ACH growing by more than 45% year-over-year. Instant options, such as FedNow and The Clearing House RTP network, are also expanding.
Still, not all vendors are on board. Some don’t want to register for digital platforms. Others need paper for compliance or tax purposes. And a few just prefer the simplicity of a check that says exactly what it’s for.
For finance teams, this is where hybrid payments shine. You send ACH when it makes sense. For everything else, you fall back on secure, traceable business check printing, especially if it’s the vendor’s preference.
Why So Many Still Cut Checks, Even Now
Despite all the innovation, some things haven’t budged. Checks are still a known quantity. They’re tangible, detailed, and create a paper trail that internal auditors and external partners trust. They’re also adaptable. You can issue a refund, a commission, a project payout, whatever you need, without asking your payee to jump through hoops.
That’s why companies don’t just want check printing services. They want reliability, customization, and the assurance that the checks they issue will arrive on time and match expectations.
Are You Considering Updating Your Check-Sending Process?
Even with all the payment technology available, many businesses still use checks, and for good reason. Vendors expect them, finance teams trust them, and they still leave behind a clean, auditable trail.
What’s different now is how much easier the process can be. At CheckIssuing, we don’t want to supplant what is functional. We just want to enhance it by making it faster, safer, and less frustrating. We know every business moves at its own pace. If printed checks are still part of your operations, we can help you make them more efficient, not more difficult.
Let’s have a quick conversation about a better way to send the checks you already need to send.
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, nearly 3 billion commercial checks were processed in the U.S., with an average value of over $2,700, proving that checks still matter in B2B transactions.
- Construction remains check-heavy, with 69% of firms still using them for vendor payments, despite the rise of digital alternatives.
- Payment fraud is on the rise: 79% of U.S. organizations reported attempted fraud in 2024, with 63% of these incidents tied to checks.
- Modern check printing solutions integrate cloud-based dashboards, APIs, late cutoffs, and mail tracking, making the process faster and more transparent.
- Security is now standard, including MICR ink, watermarks, thermochromatic ink, UV fibers, and Positive Pay file automation.
- While ACH and Same Day ACH volumes continue to grow (33.6 billion transactions in 2024, with same-day transactions up 45%), checks remain essential for vendors who require paper trails, compliance, or physical delivery.
Footnotes / Citations
- Federal Reserve – Commercial Check Collection Annual Report
https://www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/check_commcheckcolannual.htm - PYMNTS – Old-School Billing Is Creating a Construction Industry Cash Crunch (2025)
https://www.pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2025/old-school-billing-is-creating-a-construction-industry-cash-crunch/ - Financial Professionals Association – Payments Fraud Data
https://www.financialprofessionals.org/training-resources/resources/survey-research-economic-data/details/payments-fraud - NACHA – Same Day ACH Passes Major Milestone as 2024 ACH Network Grows
https://www.nacha.org/news/same-day-ach-passes-major-milestone-2024-ach-network-shows-higher-growth
Last updated: September 2025