Align Checks In Sage Online

Aligning checks in Sage Business Cloud Accounting involves configuring your check printing settings and adjusting the alignment to ensure that the printed information matches your check stock correctly. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Enable Check Printing

1. Access Settings: Click on the Gear icon in the upper right corner of your dashboard.
2. Navigate to Check Printing Settings: Under the “Your Company” section, select “Check Printing”.
3. Enable Check Printing: Ensure that the “Enable Check Printing” checkbox is selected. This option is enabled by default.
4. Select Check Paper: Choose “Sage Check Paper” from the available options. This selection is recommended for optimal compatibility.
5. Save Settings: Click “Save” to apply these settings.​

Step 2: Print a Test Check

1. Navigate to Check Printing Setup: In the Check Printing Settings page, click on “Print Setup”.
2. Print Test Check: Click on “Print Test Check 1”. This will print a test check on regular letter-sized paper, which includes a measurement grid to assist with alignment.
3. Align Test Check with Check Stock: Place the printed test check on top of a blank check stock sheet and hold them up to a light source. This will help you see if the printed numbers align with the check stock.​

Step 3: Adjust Alignment if Necessary

1. Assess Alignment:
   • If Aligned: If the printed numbers align correctly with the check stock, select “Yes – the numbers are in the right place”, then click “Continue” and “All Done!” to complete the setup.
   • If Misaligned: If the printed numbers do not align, select “No – I need to adjust where the numbers are printed”, then click “Continue”.​
2. Enter Adjustment Values:
   • Vertical Alignment: Enter the number of grid squares to move the printed information up or down. Positive values move the text down; negative values move it up.
   • Horizontal Alignment: Enter the number of grid squares to move the printed information left or right. Positive values move the text right; negative values move it left.​
3. Print Another Test Check: Click “Print Test Check” again to print a new test check with the adjusted settings.
   
4. Repeat as Needed: Repeat this process until the printed numbers align correctly with the check stock.​
   

Step 4: Finalize Setup

1. Confirm Alignment: Once the alignment is correct, select “Yes – the numbers are in the right place”, then click “Continue”.
2. Complete Setup: Click “All Done!” to finalize the check printing setup.

Step 5: Print Real Checks

1. Access Check Register: From the Banking menu, choose “Check Register”.
2. Select Checks to Print: Filter the list to show checks ready to print, then select the checks you wish to print.
3. Print Checks: Click “Print Check”, then in the dialog box that appears, click “Print Check” again.
4. Assign Check Numbers: After printing, find the check numbers on your printed checks and enter them in the “Check Number” field to assign them to the respective transactions.
5. Complete Process: Click “All Done!” to finish.​

Tips:

• Use Recommended Check Stock: For optimal results, use Sage Check Paper, which is designed for compatibility with Sage Business Cloud Accounting Start.
• Regularly Test Alignment: Before printing multiple checks, always print a test check to ensure alignment remains correct.
• Maintain Printer Settings: Ensure that your printer settings, such as paper size and margins, are correctly configured to prevent misalignment.